Page 107 of Playing With Love

“While you’re waiting, have Allyson pack⁠—”

Fuck. That.

“I’m not waiting for Greg.”

“Liza—”

“I’m not waiting forty minutes to get to him, Dylan.”

“You are, Liza, that’s an order.” Lenox’s voice hit me like a slap. “Backup is on the way.”

I took a moment to work through the problem. People saw me run from the vigil. No doubt they saw Allyson. Mackenzie included. I couldn’t leave Allyson unprotected. She had to come with me. We’d worry about her stuff and our stuff and all the other stuff after I saved Tucker from Jake Sutton’s plan of vengeance.

“Were you correct? Is Tate Jake Sutton?”

“I’m not answering that, Liza. You need⁠—”

“You were right,” I muttered and jerked my head toward the car. “I’m sorry, Ally, but you have to come with me.”

In a twist I didn’t see coming, Allyson squared her shoulders and marched to the passenger side of her car while mumbling, “I hope you kick his ass.”

Oh, I was going to do more than kick someone’s ass.

“Liza—” Lenox tried again.

“All due respect, sir, I’m not following your orders or Dylan’s or anyone else’s who tries to stop me. Either you’re with me or against me. But if you’re against me, you should know I hold a mean fucking grudge. And if something happens to Tucker while we’re waiting for the men to show up, I’ll never forgive any of you.”

I slammed the car door and started the engine.

“This has nothing to do with you being a woman,” Lenox barked. “I’m not worried about you holding a grudge. I’m worried about Tucker getting back here and tearing through this office on the warpath because no one stopped his woman from putting herself in danger. Jake Sutton is out for⁠—”

“Stop. Don’t tell me what Jake Sutton’s after. Tell me where my man is so I can get to him before that piece of shit carves him up.”

I backed out of Ally’s driveway, put the car in drive, and shot forward, uncaring the tires sprayed rocks and more than likely drew unnecessary attention.

“Shit, she’s on the move,” Dylan announced.

“Are any of you assholes going to help me?” I shouted.

“Fuck.” Dylan’s dejected curse was followed up with, “He’s still on Van Hill Road just passed Timberfell Resort.”

“Timberfell Resort,” Allyson repeated. “That’s the place that rents sheds and has RV hookup for camping. Five minutes outside of town.”

“Here.” I held my phone out to Allyson. “Hold this, would you?”

“Sure.”

“And hold on.”

I took the corner leaving the compound to the main road at a high rate of speed and fishtailed. A memory of Tucker doing the same thing in his truck when he was racing to get to Chelsea hit me.

Always of service to others.

Always going out of his way to protect those he cared about.

Tucker.

Tim.