Page 40 of Ethan's Command

“Brooklyn,” he said by way of a greeting. “What brings you by?” He glanced at his watch. “The boys won’t be in for another couple of hours.”

Brooklyn felt a pang of guilt. Dave had always been kind to her and Liam, offering extra cookies and making jokes to keep Liam laughing. But something in Ethan’s posture made her hesitate. He was tense, watchful, like a predator waiting for his moment to strike.

“I…um…need some coffee.” She turned to Ethan. “What would you like?” Ethan placed his order and the two of them waited as Dave made their drinks.

“We need to talk,” Ethan said, his tone calm but firm as Dave placed their drinks in front of them. “Privately.”

Dave’s brows knitted together in confusion, but he nodded. “Who are you?”

“Sorry, Dave, I should have introduced you. This is Ethan. He’s helping me with…” her voice broke. The lump in her throat grew spontaneously and she couldn’t seem to swallow to get her words around it.

“Uh…” Dave started uncertainly but the look on her face must have told him something was very wrong because he said, “Come with me.”

They followed him through the swinging door behind the counter, into a small storage room crowded with shelves of supplies. Mojo sniffed the air, his ears flicking as he stayed close to Ethan’s side. Dave leaned against a shelf, crossing his arms.

“What’s happened?” he asked, his tone wary now.

Brooklyn stepped forward, her voice shaking slightly. “Liam’s been kidnapped, Dave. Someone lured him into a black SUV outside his school.”

Dave’s face paled. “What? Taken? That’s… that’s terrible! Who would do something like that?”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. We think someone might have tipped them off the other day. Someone who knew Liam’s routine.”

Dave’s hands fidgeted with the rag he was still holding, his gaze darting to the floor. “I… I don’t know anything about that. You know I’d never…”

Brooklyn’s heart sank as she watched him. The easy confidence that usually radiated from the man was gone, replaced by a nervous energy that set her on edge.

“Dave,” she said softly, stepping closer. “We’re not accusing you of anything. But if you know something, anything, you have to tell us. Liam’s life depends on it.”

Dave’s throat worked as he swallowed hard. “I don’t know,” he said again, his voice cracking. “I don’t…”

Ethan stepped in then, his tone sharper. “Cut the crap, Dave. You’re hiding something. A blind man could see it. Whatever you’re holding back is going to come out one way or another. You might as well save us all some time,save Liam’s life, and tell us now.”

Brooklyn’s stomach churned as she watched the exchange. Dave’s hands trembled, and his eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet Ethan’s gaze.

“It was you,” she whispered, the realization knocking the air from her lungs. “You called someone about Liam.”

Dave’s head snapped up, his face a mask of panic. “No! I didn’t… I mean… it’s not what you think!”

“Then what is it?” Ethan demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Dave sagged against the shelf, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear. I was desperate. I borrowed money from some guys I shouldn’t have… for my gambling debts. They said they’d forgive it if I gave them some information. They didn’t say why. I didn’t know they’d…”

The room spun around her. and she clutched the edge of a shelf for support. Her voice rang with disbelief. “You sold Liam out to pay off your debts? Jesus Christ, he’s a little boy. How much did you owe?”

Dave’s eyes filled with tears. “A lot. Way more than I can ever pay back but I didn’t know they’d take him! They just wanted to know his schedule and who he was with. I thought… I thought it was nothing.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened and he clenched his hands into fists. “Who did you call, Dave? Names. Now.”

Dave wiped his face with a trembling hand. “A guy named Kenici. He… he works for the Yakuza. I… I can give you his number.”

“You’re damn right you will,” Ethan said, his voice icy. “And you’re going to pray that Liam comes back safe because if he doesn’t, there won’t be a hole deep enough for you to hide in.”

Brooklyn turned away, tears streaming down her face as the weight of Dave’s betrayal crashed over her. She’d trusted him. Liam had trusted him. And he’d handed her nephew over to a fucking gang.

Ethan’s hand settled on her shoulder, grounding her. “We’ll fix this,” he said quietly. “But we need to move fast.”

Brooklyn forced herself to stand tall. Liam needed her to be strong, and she wouldn’t let him down. Not now. Not ever.

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