Page 25 of Ethan's Command

Brooklyn glanced at Ethan and raised an eyebrow.

“Nakoa, did you catch any of what they were saying?” Ethan asked trying to keep his voice even.

Nakoa shook his head. “Not all of it. Keoni said something like ‘you shouldn’t have opened it without asking’ and Ren said, ‘it’s a friggin pencil.’ Then they stopped because they saw me.

Brooklyn deflated and let out a sigh. “Thanks for telling us, Nakoa. I won’t mention it to Liam.” She offered him a smile.

Relief bloomed on his face. “Thanks, Ms. Alexander.”

“You can go back to gaming now,” his mom said.

They all remained silent as he disappeared up the stairs.

Brooklyn immediately stood. “Thanks, Malia, I really appreciate it.”

She hugged Brooklyn. “I hope you find the answers you need.”

When they were back in the truck, heading to Brooklyn’s home, she commented, “That was a bust.”

“Maybe… maybe not. Nova is pulling anything she has on Ren’s grandfather. Maybe it will turn up something.”

As they got out of Ethan’s truck, Nova pulled into the driveway. “Hey.” Ethan greeted her once she got out of the car.

“Hey, you. I was on my way to meet Coop, but he said you were here, so I thought I would come by and update you.” She turned to Brooklyn. “Hey. I’m so sorry about all this.”

“Thanks,” Brooklyn said. Her lips in a tight smile.

Nova glanced at Ethan. “I looked into the name you gave me. Ren’s grandfather, Hiroshi Yamamoto owns a company called Yamamoto Global. They make consumer electronic products. You know TVs, stereos, and the like. Think Panasonic, onlyYamamoto sort of does it as a no name brand so it’s significantly cheaper. He’s worth billions.”

“No ties to organized crime?” Ethan asked.

She shook her head. “None that anyone can find. Coop filled me in. It makes sense that he tries to be normal at school around his grandson’s friends. I’m sure Ren doesn’t want the world to know how rich his family is. I also get the security. A man like that probably has to be careful.”

“So, there’s nothing there,” Brooklyn said with a dejected sigh.

“It doesn’t look like it.” Nova met Ethan’s gaze and then cut her eyes quickly to Brooklyn and back.

Ethan gave a tiny nod. He’d been thinking the same thing. Brooklyn was fraying around the edges. She was going to fall apart. “Thanks, Nova.”

She nodded. “If there’s anything else I can do, call me.”

“Will do.”

She got in her car and drove off.

“You okay,” Ethan asked.

Brooklyn met his gaze. Her eyes filled with tears. “No. Not really, but I’m not going to let that stop me.” She straightened her shoulders and headed to the house.

Ethan watched her go. Whatever the hell was going on, he needed to find out quickly because the situation was taking a toll on Brooklyn. He doubted she’d be able to take much more of not knowing, and he didn’t blame her one bit.

CHAPTER 9

Rusty and Sodaleft as Brooklyn sent Liam off to bed. Ethan had taken Mojo outside to do his business and she relished the moment alone. Having so many others in her space was weird and disconcerting. Especially when one of those someones was Ethan. Having him around made it hard to think. Who was she kidding? This whole mess made her head spin. Ethan had been the one constant over the last few days, which didn’t help her any. She kept having to remind herself that he was the enemy no matter how ‘friend-shaped’ he looked.

"Do you think Liam noticed anything over the last couple of weeks?” Ethan asked.

“I think he would’ve told me if he’d noticed anything.” She stood at the counter, arms crossed over her chest.

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