Page 98 of Compelled Obedience

“Stay right there.” A clue. I wouldn’t put it past Kerri to figure out a way of telling me what happened.

As I glanced into the rearview mirror, I noticed the US Marshal had made good on his promise, contacting the local police after I hadn’t been able to get in touch with her. Whatever had occurred, the person responsible was someone that knew how to gain access to the building. That narrowed it down to about thirty people. I didn’t have that kind of time. There was no doubt in my mind.

I didn’t waste a second, screeching to a halt in front of the building and jumping out, Lachlan following. Then I flew into the main doors, racing toward the elevator, slamming my hand on the button.

“Take it easy, man,” Lachlan said as he flanked my side.

“I can’t take it easy. I love her, dude.” I’d left Jameson in control of the club, in case more information came in through the doors.

“You think I don’t know that? Jesus. We’ll find her.”

As soon as the doors opened and I stepped inside, I closed my eyes. I would burn down the entire city in order to find her. “Yeah, we fucking will.”

There were APBs out on Drago Santiago and Sanchez Rodriguez as well as a bulletin to track down Sergeant Randolph. However, in the back of my mind I knew it could already be too late. The woman I’d fallen in love with was the prize. She was the last remaining tie to the events that had begun to unfold almost ten years before.

With her dead, the past could be erased.

Or could it?

There were far too many questions as to why Drago would risk his freedom after spending time in WITSEC. I doubted it was the fifty million. His sudden departure had everything to do with assuming control of the cartel. I’d bet on it. I wasn’t buying the premise that he was behind the threats made to Kerri or Rivera’s head being sent to the DEA, DNA or no DNA. The actions suggested a personal and very orchestrated vendetta, not something an organized syndicate would undergo.

Rushing down the corridor, I found the door unlocked. As soon as I threw open the door, Casey ran toward me, wrapping his little arms around my legs.

“Hey, kiddo. Did you have a nice time with Abe?” I picked him up, trying to keep a smile on my face.

“Where’s sissy?” he asked, his face riddled with worry.

“She just had a couple things to do. Nothing to worry about.” I glanced around the apartment. Then Abe walked closer.

“Do you recognize this?” he asked. He had something in his hand, ready to place into mine.

I recognized it immediately, a bracelet that I’d purchased. “What the fuck?”

“What is it?” Lachlan asked.

“A missing piece.” I eased Casey to the floor, realizing exactly the identity of the person who could fit the last remaining puzzle piece into the decade-long game. The bitch had lied to me. The relationship had been a lie. She’d insisted on meeting me at the club, returning only a night later. Then we’d ended up in bed. Jesus Christ. I’d been played.

I hunkered down, brushing hair from Casey’s face. “Little man. Do you think you could do me a favor and hold down the fort while I help out your sissy with a couple things?”

He folded his arms across his chest, studying me as any adult would in trying to determine whether I was a good guy or not.

Little did he know that I’d cross that line from being a decent human being into one that even my mother wouldn’t claim in order to keep his sister protected.

“Yes. But I demand ice cream afterwards.”

The two men laughed, but I knew the kid was serious. “That is a deal.” I held out my hand and he shook it, his eyes as bright as I’d seen them.

And my heart ached, the anxiety and fear wrapped around what had happened to Kerri weighing heavily on my mind.

As I rose to my feet, I gave Abe a hard look. “Do not let anything happen to him.”

“You have my word, sir.”

I believed him. I backed away just as I heard a knock on the door. The police had arrived. While they did their jobs as required, I had plans on tracking down the woman I loved. And the methods I planned on using were entirely unscrupulous.

Whatever it took to get Kerri back in my arms was what I was prepared to do.

Including murder.

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