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An immediate air of panic hit him in the gut from the alarm in her voice.

“What’s wrong?” He listened intently.

“The guy Lennox Jenkins who’s running for mayor is Carla’s ex-boyfriend. He’s been blackmailing her into doing God knows what because I didn’t get that far before she took off to go after him!”

Jacob was moving, yanking the car keys from his pocket, exiting the VIP section.

Phoebe continued her plea. “I know something’s going on between you two, but I need your help. Carla needs your help. She called me and asked if I would subpoena footage at the Velvet Café, and I probably shouldn’t be telling you this because this is her information, but I feel it’s important—”

“Phoebe, spit it out!”

He hit the first floor as if he had skates on his feet, running toward the front door. Jonas, Jaden, Julian, and Josiah all turned and shouted to get his attention, interested in where he was going and why he looked so alarmed.

But Jacob had tunnel vision.His only focus was to get to Carla.

“She was at the club, and this freak put a date rape drug in her drink. The video shows her passing out and him carrying her off.”

“What?!” he roared.

“God knows what he did to her after that, but apparently he took nude pictures of her because he’s been threatening to share them with her principal at the school and the media if she didn’t obey him!”

A murderous rage-filled his veins, and homicide controlled his thoughts.

“Where is Carla?” he barked.

Phoebe rattled off the address.

“Where are you?”

“I’m sitting in front of Carla’s house. She left without locking her door. I’m hesitant to leave, but she’s not alone. Tina is with her. I told Tina to stop her from going inside Lennox’s house, but I don’t know if she can. I’ve never seen Carla this angry, but she’s not the type to back down from anyone, even if she has no chance of winning the fight.”

By now, Jacob was in his Bentley, blowing his horn to scatter the partygoers who lingered in the parking lot. He powered his window down.

“MOVE!”

They scurried out of his way, and he pulled onto the road and hit the gas.

Chapter Thirty-One

Carla threw the car in park and reached in the backseat, grabbing the bat. Tina removed the keys from the ignition and locked the doors with the push of a button.

“Really?” Carla’s forehead creased. She unlocked the doors, pushing the unlock button on her door.

Tina grabbed her hand, and Carla glared at her. “I know you didn’t come all this way to get in my way. Now, move, Tina!”

They were sitting in front of Lennox’s mailbox. The street was quiet, with minimal traffic.

“Think about your kids.”

“I don’t have any kids!”

“The kids at school, Carla!”

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me right now? Did you see that video? How are you not ready to go in here and help me take his head off?”

“Please! You know I’m the first person to help you, but it’s dark out here, he’s running for a government position, and you’ve got everything to lose! You don’t think someone will see you?”

“You’re right. The problem is, I no longer care, Tina. I have tried to keep quiet and actually went along with the bullshit he told me to, to keep from embarrassing Jacob, my kids, my colleagues, and the entire staff at the school. I tried, okay? And the one person I love more than anything in this world hates me! Do you know how that feels!? It eats at your heart, Tina! I know I’m flawed. I’ve never been perfect, but I don’t deserve this!”