Page 80 of Compelled Obedience

“Wait. So you’re certain Drago is dead?”

“Yes, I viewed the body myself. I also had to know for certain. Why the questions now? Did something happen, Kerri? Were you threatened by another individual?”

I glanced at Grant, my gut telling me that whatever had happened with Drago was unusual. “No. Nothing happened. I just heard a rumor that about his death and wanted to make certain what I heard wasn’t a lie. You know how much the situation affected me. Learning the truth will allow me to breathe easier as you mentioned.”

Something didn’t feel right.

“You’re certain you don’t have any proof of what happened from all those years ago?”

What did that matter now? “No. You heard everything that occurred that horrible night several times.”

“Right,” he said casually. “So you told me. However, now, I’m curious. Did your stepfather ever try and contact you from prison?”

Why did it matter? “Once. Right after he was convicted.”

“Hmmm…”

Did I hear a slight glitch in his voice? Yes, I was certain of it. Suddenly, a sudden icy chill crackled down my spine. I had been followed. I had been threatened. But by which side of the law?

“Okay then, Kerri. The nightmare is over. However, if anything does happen, call this number. Okay?”

“Sure. I’ll do that. Thank you for returning my call.” My hands were shaking.

“Of course.”

I pressed end and took a deep breath.

Grant studied me for a few seconds then removed his jacket. “I think it’s about time you told me the full story. Don’t leave anything out, Kerri. From what I can tell, you’re in danger.”

He was right.

Something was terribly wrong.

CHAPTER 20

Grant

Drink in hand, I paced the floor of the living room, the full moon casting a shadow in the immediate periphery, but the bright lights of LA twinkled in the distance.

Kerri had agreed that moving to the apartment was in her best interest, including for Casey, which was good because I would have forced her to obey even if it meant locking her inside the place.

The thought brought nothing but an angry groan. What Sergeant Randolph had said hadn’t brought any sense of peace. Instead, she was certain the former detective was hiding something.

At this point, so was I. Nothing made any sense, including the fact she’d been sent a threatening note. Granted, the LA Cartel would stoop to doing anything to ensure their lifestyle wasn’t interfered with. I didn’t need to be in law enforcement to know the cartel was having issues with various enemies hijacking their loads of fentanyl coming in from Mexico. Blood battles on both sides of the border had ensued, the DEA having difficulty controlling the heinous murders. With them on edge, they’d do anything to protect their lifestyles.

Something smelled and I had a feeling Kerri was caught in the middle.

“Talk to me, baby,” I told her as I finally sat down on the chair across from her, trying not to push her but I needed to know what we were dealing with. Hours had passed, Casey’s wellbeing preventing us from discussing anything other than the basics after Sergeant Randolph’s return call. I’d sensed the officer of the law had been holding something back from her, which had prompted me to contact Tristen for a second time, providing the man’s name as well as the basics of the conversation.

I’d already placed a call to Tristen early in the day, providing as many details as I’d known at the time. He’d seemed skeptical, or maybe unwilling to ruffle feathers in finding additional details, but I could also tell he was intrigued by what he’d heard. The justice department had as much to lose if they couldn’t control the cartel as the DEA.

The fact Kerri had lied to Randolph about where she worked told me clearly that she didn’t trust the system. I couldn’t blame her at this point. I might not be in the business, but I’d been around cops and agents long enough to realize when there was a coverup of some kind.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” she half whispered.

I’d foregone heading to the club, ignoring Silas’ promised phone call. My focus was placed entirely on Kerri and trying to figure out what was going on.

I could tell she was holding something back, fearful whatever she told me would ignite a fire that couldn’t be extinguished. Now, with Casey in bed, I was determined to break through the last of her walls, although I sensed I needed to tread carefully instead of using my typical methods. She had the same glass of wine in front of her she’d had for almost an hour, so quiet that at times I wasn’t entirely certain she was breathing.

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