Page 152 of Hell and High Water

“I know. We need to warn Ora?—”

“No, we need to go now. They may already be under attack. Marco’s men left here in a hurry, heading straight for the Block.”

The news hits me like a gut punch. I thought we had a little time. That they would regroup.

“What are we waiting for? Hop on my broom and let’s go!” Alaya yells.

The five of us are piling back into the Jeep before anyone can say another word. With a screech of tires, Alaya guns us out and onto the main road, bashing right through the broken blockade.

“I hope we’re not too late,” I mutter as we roar out of the industrial district.

“They're tough. If anyone can hold out, it’s Clive and his people.”

The streets are strangely empty as Alaya takes the shortest, most direct route right through the middle of town. It makes driving easier, too easy.

It also means that every available man in Marco’s army has likely been pulled for the assault on the Block compound. A squirming twist in my stomach has me white-knuckling the door handle, looking out the window at the empty city whirring by.

Lost in my head, I barely hear Gavin filling everyone in on my conversation with Devonde on the way. Tell and Alaya bicker throughout, Evan grinding his teeth the entire way.

By the time we hit the edge of the woods, everyone’s a bit grim. Serious. The threat of Devonde’s last words hangs over us.

But we have more immediate concerns.

With a little guidance from Gavin, Alaya gets us to the back entrance, the secret entrance. I’m halfway up the slope when I turn back, looking to see what’s holding them up.

Evan’s standing over a trunk of guns and ammunition he dragged out of the back of the Jeep, blocking Alaya as she looks over his shoulder.

“Hot dayum! I call dibs on the Desert Eagle!”

“No fucking way! I want that one.” Tell steps in, trying to strongarm past her.

Alaya slaps his hand away and they square off, glaring at one another.

“That’s not…” Gavin starts, looking between Tell and Alaya like he’s about to separate them for fighting. He stops, blowing out a sigh and facing Alaya. “You don’t honestly think we’re giving you a weapon.”

“Why the fuck not? I’m part of the team now.” She says it with all seriousness. All four of us just stare at her.

“You aren’t. I—” Gavin sputters, shaking his head in denial.

“I’m the best shot here.”

“Which is exactly what we’re worried about.” Evan stands, crossing his arms.

“And the fact that she’s straight up bananas,” Tell snarks, but his eyes are angry. The realization that she’s my shooter hit about halfway over here.

“I hate bananas. If you wanna call me a psycho bitch, call me a psycho bitch. But you’re the ones wasting time and talent.”

“Just give her a gun. We need all the help we can get,” I say before I can second-guess myself.

Gavin’s eyes bulge, giving me a pleading look. “Are you sure?”

“Nope. But my best friend and her family are in there, probably dying as we speak.”

“Hell yeah!” Alaya cheers, snatching the gun and ammo. “Or I guess I should say, yeah, Hell?”

“I don’t think I like you.” Tell scowls, shouldering her out of the way and gearing up.

“I don’t think I care.”

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