Page 93 of Reckless Vengeance

“Head here. Josie’s got security on the gate so they can shut it behind you guys and keep them out.”

I relayed that to Tyler, who nodded, his jaw clenched as he drove. He looked pissed.

We made it through Stoneleigh, but Tyler cursed as we came across more people waiting at the entrance into Rawson Grove.

“Go through Blackwater,” I said quickly as he slammed on the brakes to avoid plowing into them. They were literally parked across the road to block us.

“I don’t know Blackwater!” he snapped, not angry with me, just frustrated.

“I need to go, Jense,” I said into the phone before hanging up and unbuckling my seat belt. “Switch, Ty.”

I yanked the door open, hearing him curse as he scrambled to do as I said.

Cameras snapped pictures as I dove into the driver’s seat, buckling up and heading towards Blackwater.

Blackwater was basically the same as Hawthorne Heights in some areas, but since it had a rich side like Ashburn Valley, it got more funding.

A car barreled out of a side street as we entered Blackwater, and my heartbeat slammed against my chest in panic until they let us past before following, another set of headlights joining a moment later.

My phone rang and Tyler answered, sounding relieved. “Hey, Skeet.”

“Me and D are behind you. We’ll act as a buffer to keep them back. You get our girl home,” he said as Tyler put it on speaker.

“We didn’t need help, and I’m driving,” I said dryly as I kept my foot down.

“You’re on live TV, Aurora. In case you forgot, you’re trying not to get snatched by the Soldiers right now. They could send anyone in to take you out.”

“They’d be caught on fucking TV.”

“They’d use a scapegoat. Use your Heights brain, not your privileged Ashburn one,” he tsked. “We’ll keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Shouldn’t one of you be in front leading then?”

“I can. I’ll let D know,” he answered before hanging up, taking a second before surging forward and shooting past us in the McLaren, putting us between him and Diesel. I had no idea what Diesel was driving, but it was faster than his truck.

People were standing on porches, watching as we sped past, and I slammed on the brakes when Skeeter suddenly slowed too, both of us practically crawling.

“What’s he doing?” I snapped, just before my eyes caught on an approaching police car.

More appeared and motioned to us to follow, some staying behind to control the cars following us.

“We get an escort?” I asked in disbelief as we drove the speed limit the rest of the way through Blackwater and into Ashburn Valley, my relief being short-lived when we parked at home and our doors were yanked open by the cops so they could drag us out.

“Hey! Don’t fucking touch her!” Tyler shouted as I was slammed to the ground.

“What did I do?” I demanded as I was handcuffed and hauled to my feet.

“Reckless driving. Have you been drinking tonight?” the officer asked bluntly, another restraining Tyler to cuff him too.

“Tyler Johnson, you’re under arrest for assault and battery. Anything you say can and will—” I was yanked towards the police car as the cop restraining me started reading me my rights, and then Skeeter was suddenly in front of us.

“You’re arresting her for trying to escape? They were in her face and blocked them from getting home. She⁠—”

“Skeeter, do you want to be arrested too?” the cop sighed, sounding like he’d dealt with him in the past.

“You’ll be dragging me out of here in fucking cuffs for assaulting a cop if you don’t let her the fuck go. Ty too,” he spat, taking a step towards us.

“That’s enough,” Josie scolded as she walked over. “Skeeter, let me handle it.”