Chapter Seventy-Nine
Jake
As I pass through the intersection of Main and Second Street, I flip on the cruiser lights and siren. Ramirez is on the other side of town and should descend on the Whitlock house at the same time Chief and I do.
But all of that is in the background as the fear of Emily or Grace being hurt because of me makes me want to tear my hair out and scream. My boss taps his shoe on the floorboard as if he’s also pushing on the gas pedal while typing on his phone screen.
My entire life, I’ve wanted to project and help people. And this is what it led to…. The woman I love and our daughter being in danger. It’s not worth it.
I choke the steering wheel as Louise pulls her white sedan over to the curb to let us pass by.
Cedar Ridge Street. The Whitlock house is two blocks away. Emily’s car is parked in front of the house. Laura’s is in her driveway.
A small boy darts into the street, causing me to slam on my brakes to avoid him. Fuck. My tires scream as they burn rubber on the pavement as the ass end of the cruiser fishtails from side to side.
The kid grabs a red ball and runs back to the sidewalk. Son of a bitch. My jaw aches from the near collision. Jesus, that was close. My heart pounds so hard it feels like my shirt is moving.
“Calm down, Jake.”
“Fuck you,” I bite out through clenched teeth and jam my foot back onto the gas pedal. At this point, I don’t care that I’m yelling at my boss. All I care about is Emily. And Grace.
As I pace down the street, I notice Xavier’s black pickup barreling from the opposite direction, also descending on the Whitlock house. One street over, Ramirez’s patrol car speeds toward our location with lights flashing. Behind him is Dominic’s pickup.
Chief Carter’s face is hard as he lays the cell phone on the console.
“I messaged your friend group. I wasn’t sure how many of them are in town today, but the closest highway patrolman was ten minutes out.
I know you’re pissed enough to take down Chad on your own, but I’d prefer we had a backup plan in place in case something–”
“Do not say the words.” I cut him off before he can say anything else. I know what he means. Something going wrong is rolling through my head like a movie montage of blood and broken limbs.
The ambulance turns the same corner as Ramirez did with its lights swirling. Fuck. Don’t go there. Don’t envision the worst. But I can’t stop the shiver from going down my spine. This is Emily and Grace. I can’t stop from going there. They’re my future. I don’t want a future without them.
I pull to a stop in the middle of the street in front of Chad’s house, cutting the engine and jumping out of the car. Before I slam the door shut, more of my friends pull up and pile out of their vehicles.
If I wasn’t about to spew the contents of my stomach on the street, I’d be pleased at the turnout of support for my girls. I place the palm of my hand on the butt of my Glock and flip the clip off.
Later. Once I have them safely in my possession, I’ll thank them.
But this is Brookhaven. What else should I expect?
“Jake!” Chief Carter yells as I stride toward the sidewalk.
“Later.” It wouldn’t matter if he said anything else. I wouldn’t hear him over the crashing in my ears. Hell, he could still be speaking for all I know.
I don’t bother to look at him in my single-minded pursuit of breaking down the damned door and strangling the life out of Chad Whitlock. I’ll do it. With a smile on my fucking face.