Page 54 of Ethan's Command

“It’s not a problem. It’s the least I can do.” Leilani linked her arm through Brooklyn’s and the two women walked through the parking lot to Leilani’s Mercedes convertible. “Hop in.”

“Thank you so much for this.” The cushy leather seats seemed to hug her body, and she hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep on the drive home. Good thing the roof was down. They pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward home.

“Did they ever find out who was behind the kidnapping?” Leilani asked as she made a right turn.

Brooklyn shook her head. It was the one black cloud lingering over all this. “No. Still no idea who was behind it.”

“My money is on Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ren’s grandfather. He is definitely up to something. I keep seeing him holding secret meetings at the club. As soon as he walks in, they close the blinds, and the men he’s meeting with… look shady. Hard as nails.”

Brooklyn tried not to let the anxiety build in her chest. Liam was fine. They were keeping an eye on him at the hospital. There were copies of the thumb drive around even if they were still encrypted. The danger must be passed. The thumb drive. She’d gone with Liam in the ambulance and hadn’t thought any more about it. She didn’t bother to reach for it, she knew it was still in her pocket. Shit.

“Maybe, but I think the police cleared him.” Was Nova wrong about him? Her stomach gave a lurch.

“I think they should look again,” Leilani said. “I’m sure they’ll find something if they look harder.”

Brooklyn glanced at Leilani. Her face was a mask of neutrality, and her eyes were hidden by large black sunglasses. But her tone made a shiver go up Brooklyn’s spine.

“Well, I will tell them to look again when I see them.”

“And to think all of this over a USB drive.” Leilani shook her head.

Brooklyn’s head jerked back in confusion. Had she and Ethan mentioned the thumb drive when they spoke with Leilani? Had they even known about it then? She was so tired and frazzled she couldn’t remember. Maybe Liam mentioned it to the boys. That made more sense. She was being silly. This was Leilani. They’d hung out at soccer games together, discussed what it was like to be the aunt to the boys but have a mother-like role. She really was losing it. The sooner she got home, the better.

They got on the highway and drove in silence for a few minutes. When Leilani blew by their exit, Brooklyn’s unease returned with a vengeance.

“Hey, you missed the exit.” Brooklyn had her cell phone on her lap. How could she pick it up and call for help without the other woman noticing?

Leilani turned to Brooklyn. “Do the police have the thumb drive?”

Brooklyn tried not to panic. This was beyond her only being tired. This was something altogether different. “Um…I think so?” She didn’t want to admit to having it. This whole conversation was making her extremely uneasy.

“That’s unfortunate,” Leilani clucked.

“What? Why?” Brooklyn was openly staring now.

“Because I know you’re lying.” Leilani’s face went hard. “And I hate being lied to.” She quickly snatched Brooklyn’s cell phone. Brooklyn watched her last lifeline as Leilani tossed it out as she sped down the freeway.

Now what the hell was she supposed to do?

CHAPTER 23

“Hey buddy, how are you feeling?”Ethan asked as he entered the room with Mojo at his heels.

Liam grinned. “Ethan! Mojo!”

The dog went to the edge of the bed and licked the boy’s hand.

“I’m Jackson,” Liam’s father said as he got off the bed. “And I owe you a huge thanks. Both of you.” He nodded toward Mojo.

“I’m just glad it all worked out okay. Liam is an impressive kid. Super smart. His science fair project was amazing.”

“Thanks,” Liam said and then picked up his controller again. “What do you say? One more game, Dad?”

Jackson groaned. “One more, and then you need to rest, and so do I.” Jackson picked up the controller and sat back down on the bed next to his son.

Ethan gave Liam a once-over. The kid looked good if a bit tired. He would have a rough road ahead though. Something like this was bound to cause nightmares. It would take Liam a while to process everything. Ethan just hoped Jackson would get the kid the help he needed, but with Brooklyn as his aunt, Ethan was pretty sure Liam would be just fine. “I have a quick question, Liam, if you don’t mind.”

The boy glanced at his father. “Um…sure.”

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