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“Listen to me, Mr. Jenkins. What you will do is call off your race for the mayoral seat. You will never, and I mean NEVER, contact Carla again.”

He patted Lennox’s pockets in search of his cell phone. When he found it, he slipped the phone into his pocket. Though Lennox could have the picture saved outside of his cell, Jacob would make sure he never had access to the one in his phone, in case it was his only copy.

“The picture you’ve been blackmailing her with—get rid of it. I have a full video of you dropping a date-rape drug in her drink and carrying her off in the dead of night.” He punched Lennox a few more times for good measure, and the man only gurgled and cried out in pain.

“Understand me. If you ever see me face-to-face again, it will be the last time you see anything.”

Jacob opened the door, grabbed Lennox by his collar, and tossed him out. Lennox hit the base of the alley wall, howling in pain as his body dropped to the ground.

Jacob was tempted to get out of the limo and beat the man more, but he and his brother’s agreement was that he wouldn’t get out, to keep their identities concealed from any outside cameras.

A simmering growl trekked from Jacob as he watched the man writhe in pain for a few seconds more. Then, he slammed the door shut, and the limo pulled back onto the road and disappeared.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Within the span of twenty-four hours, Carla’s life had become a dream again. She drove toward Academy College Preparatory High School, her thoughts on a cloud, fantasizing about her and Jacob’s reunion.

The next time she talked to Phoebe, it needed to be in person so she could hug her and thank her for reaching out to Jacob.

To say she was surprised when he manifested outside of Lennox’s house was the understatement of the year. Initially, Carla didn’t know what to expect. The only thing she cared about at that moment was him being there. Her mission of revenge was immediately halted.

As much hatred as she felt for Lennox, being back with Jacob made it all feel okay. And not only were they reunited, but Jacob asked Carla to marry him. The elation Carla experienced every moment after his question was heavenly.

Reaching for the radio, Carla turned on the dial in search of some sexy R&B to coincide with this mood she was in. Static could be heard through her speakers, then country music. Carla twisted the knob a little more.

“Breaking news, a representative for mayoral candidate Lennox Jenkins told WTZB Mr. Jenkins is calling off his campaign. When asked for further comment, we were given no comments at the time.

“Minutes later, another report came in that Mr. Jenkins was hospitalized late last night. He arrived at the hospital by ambulance with five broken ribs, a broken nose, his jaw dislocated, and his eyes swollen shut.”

“After finding Mr. Jenkins in an alley, a homeless man went into the local dollar store to call the police. Speculation about who’s behind the attack remains unknown at this time. Count on us to keep you informed.”

Carla’s thoughts shuffled as she pulled into her assigned parking spot at the high school.

That morning she checked her phone to find text messages and missed calls from Lennox. They’d come in right after leaving his home with Jacob yesterday, and Carla hadn’t seen them until the next morning.

She showed them to Jacob, and he slipped a hand up her face, staring Carla in her eyes.

“I need to ask you something.”

“What is it?

“If we turn over the tape of you and Lennox at the club, he will be charged and locked up, but your identity will be revealed.”

Her gut tightened and worry assailed her.

“It is possible to manipulate the video, so your face isn’t clear. In that case, he would still be locked up and charged, but it’s possible if authorities find out the video was tampered with, that he could be released, and his charges dropped.”

Her anxiety spread over her face.

“Whatever you want to do, I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

She sighed and folded her arms. “I can’t have my identity out there. Please, Jacob.”

He drew her into his embrace.

“I don’t want him free, either. He’ll never leave me alone.”

“You won’t get any more calls from him. I’ve taken care of it.”