Page 34 of Ethan's Command

Rusty frowned. “Be careful. If these guys are connected to the Yakuza, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.”

Cooper leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. “He’s right. If someone there is an informant, you don’t want to piss them off by asking too many questions.”

Ethan smirked. “Probably not, but I’m going to anyway.” He turned to Cooper. “Can you do me a favor? Swing by my place and pick up Mojo. He’s been spending the nights over at Brooklyn’s, and he was so happy to see his own bed this morning that he passed out cold. He just needs a little exercise. I know you’re taking Whiskey out today anyway.”

Cooper nodded. “Not a problem. I’ll grab him. He and Whiskey can burn off some energy together.”

“Thanks,” Ethan said as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered quickly. “Brooklyn?”

Her voice trembled on the other end of the line. “Ethan, they have Liam.”

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. “What do you mean they have Liam? He was at school.”

“He was,” Brooklyn said, her voice breaking. “But the school just called me. He was there at recess, but when it was over, he was gone.”

Ethan swore under his breath. “Are they sure?”

“Yes,” she whispered, the agony in her voice wrapping around every word. “I need you to meet me at the school.”

“Where are you?” Ethan demanded, his tone sharper than he intended.

“I’m leaving work,” she replied, her voice cracking.

“Stay there. I’ll come get you.”

“No, I need to be at the school?—”

“Brooklyn,” Ethan interrupted, his voice firm but steady. “You’re in no condition to drive right now. Stay put. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

She hesitated, then whispered, “Okay.” The line went dead.

Ethan shoved the phone into his pocket and turned back to Cooper and Rusty. “They’ve got Liam,” he said tightly. “They took him from school.”

“What?” Cooper shot to his feet. “Are you serious?”

Ethan nodded tersely.

Cooper grabbed his phone. “I’m calling Nova I’ll have her meet us there. I’ll swing by and get Mojo on the way.”

Rusty nodded, his expression hardening. “What can I do?”

In a grim tone, Ethan said, “Run that facial recognition. Look at the tattoos. Anything you can find. The faster we ID these guys, the faster we can get Liam back.”

Rusty was already typing. “I’ll call Bellamy too, get him in the loop, and start working on a plan.”

“Good,” Ethan said as he headed for the door. “Let’s move.”

Ten seconds later, the truck’s engine roared to life and Ethan tore out of the driveway. His chest ached, the weight of guilt pressing harder with every mile. He’d promised Brooklyn he’d protect Liam, and now he’d failed her.

CHAPTER 13

Brooklyn’s heartthudded heavily as she and Ethan pushed through the glass doors of Liam’s school. He had stopped briefly to speak to the officer outside. He’d asked if there was a detective on scene but the officer had said she wasn’t there yet.

The cheerful posters and brightly painted walls were jarring, mocking her with their innocence. Her nephew was missing, and the last place he had been was here—the one place he should have been safe. The one place she’d thought he would be safe. It was her fault he was gone. Stupidly, she hadn’t demanded that Ethan be with Liam twenty-four-seven.

The principal’s office was located at the end of a hallway filled with colorful lockers and bulletin boards announcing upcoming field trips. Mundane details blurred together as Brooklyn’s eyes darted nervously around, searching for anything that might offer answers. Beside her, Ethan was a steady presence, but his jaw was clenched in a hard line, his eyes scanning as intently as hers. At least she wasn’t facing this nightmare alone. She knew she shouldn’t be relying on him to prop her up emotionally but, especially now, she would take whatever support she could get.

The secretary at the front desk glanced up as they entered the office. Her polite smile faltered when Brooklyn gave her name. Contritely, she said, “I am so sorry, Ms. Alexander,” the woman said as she took in Brooklyn’s pale face and Ethan’s stormy expression.

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