Page 12 of Ethan's Command

Mr. Forbes joined them, cutting across the grass. “Brooklyn, how’s Liam? I can’t believe what happened—it’s just horrifying.”

“Yes, Mr. Forbes, it is. Liam’s fine, thank you,” she said, forcing a smile. Then, lowering her voice, she added, “Actually, would you mind doing me a favor? Liam’s already in bed, but would you go in and keep an eye on him for a bit? I need to take a quick drive around the neighborhood with Mr. Foster here, just to check on a few things.”

Mrs. Forbes tilted her head. “You just finished installing the cameras, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Brooklyn said, nodding quickly. “Everything’s set up, but this will just give me some peace of mind.”

Mr. Forbes gave a reassuring nod. “Of course. Take your time. We’ll keep an eye on him.” They walked up onto the porch.

“Mojo, you go with them. You stay here,” Ethan said and followed the couple up onto the porch and into the house. “Go find Liam. Stay with Liam,” Ethan directed.

Brooklyn had never felt so grateful in all her life. The Forbes were lovely, like a set of grandparents to Liam, but they weren’t much protection. She was determined to go after the men in the van and having Mojo stay with Liam made her feel a damn sight better. She opened the door to Liam’s room and the dog trotted inside. He jumped on the bed and curled into a ball at the bottom. Liam was already sound asleep.

Brooklyn hustled back out to the front room. “We won’t be long.” She gave the Forbes a wave and then hit the porch. Ethan was already walking toward the pickup. They were trying to be casual but they must have given themselves away because the van’s engine roared to life, its headlights cutting through the dark as it began to pull away from the curb. Brooklyn’s breath caught in her throat, her heart slamming against her ribs.

“They’re leaving!” she gasped.

Ethan didn’t hesitate. They sprinted across the driveway to his truck. Brooklyn fumbled with the door handle before throwing herself into the passenger seat. Ethan climbed in on the driver’s side and fired up the engine. The truck rumbled to life and he slammed it into gear.

“They’re getting away!” Brooklyn’s voice was sharp and urgent. Fear churned in her stomach, the memory of those men grabbing Liam still fresh in her mind.

“They’re not getting away,” Ethan replied evenly, steering the truck onto the street. The van turned a corner up ahead, taillights glowing faintly. Ethan pressed the gas, the truck surged forward.

The quiet streets of the neighborhood blurred past them as the chase began. The van took a sharp left at the next intersection, its tires squealing, and Ethan stayed close behind.Brooklyn gripped the dashboard, her pulse racing as she glanced nervously out the window.

“They know we’re following them,” she said, her voice tight.

“Good,” Ethan muttered, his eyes locked on the road. “Let them know.”

The van sped up, weaving through the residential streets, blowing through stop signs, and skimming dangerously close to parked cars. Ethan handled the truck with practiced precision, navigating the narrow roads with ease. Brooklyn clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought a rising tide of panic.

“They’re trying to lose us!” she shouted, her voice cracking with a mix of fear and frustration.

“I see that,” Ethan replied calmly, his grip on the wheel steady.

The van suddenly veered onto a main road, tires screeching and the cab wobbling sideways a little as it merged into traffic. Ethan followed, his engine roaring as he accelerated to keep pace. Horns blared and brake lights flared as cars swerved to avoid the van’s erratic maneuvers. Brooklyn’s heart pounded as she held onto the door, the chaotic scene unfolding like a nightmare.

“Ethan!” she yelled as a sedan slammed on its brakes directly in their path.

“Got it,” Ethan snapped, swerving smoothly to avoid the car. The truck lurched slightly before straightening out, his focus never wavered from his quarry.

The van darted between lanes, cutting off other drivers and creating a trail of chaos. Ethan stayed close; his jaw tight as he pushed the truck harder. Brooklyn leaned forward, her eyes glued to the white van as it dodged through traffic.

“There!” she shouted, pointing as the van made a sudden turn onto a side street.

Ethan swung the truck into the turn, the tires skidding briefly before regaining traction. But when they rounded the corner, the van was gone. The street was dark and empty, save for a few parked cars and an alleyway shrouded in shadows.

“Dammit!” Brooklyn cried, slamming her hand against the dashboard. “Where are they? They were just here!”

Ethan slowed the truck, scanning the area with narrowed eyes. His movements were deliberate, controlled, as if he hadn’t just lost the van entirely. Brooklyn, however, felt her frustration boil over.

“You lost them!” she yelled, her voice trembling with anger and fear. “How could you lose them? They were right there!”

Ethan pulled the truck to the curb and killed the engine, turning to face her. His expression was calm but firm, his tone unyielding. “They’re gone, Brooklyn. I wasn’t about to keep chasing them blindly through unknown streets. That’s not how we do this.”

Brooklyn glared at him, her chest heaving. “You’re just going to give up? What about Liam? What about the fact that those men tried to take him? They could come back, Ethan!”

“I know,” he said, his voice steady. “And we’ll find them another way. But a reckless car chase isn’t the answer.”

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