Page 99 of Compelled Obedience

CHAPTER 24

Grant

I knew exactly where Sanchez was hiding. The school. He’d somehow been tipped off the police were looking for him, which in my mind meant the people he was working for had ensured he wouldn’t be caught easily. What I doubted the kid knew was that in this kind of situation, he could be considered collateral damage.

Which meant he’d be hunted down like every loose string in the operation. At this point, the guessing game continued. Who was behind the operation and which party would wind up dead? It was a guessing game that I wasn’t interested in playing.

“You’re sure about this?” Lachlan said as I prepared to break into the school.

“It’s the only choice we have.”

“You really don’t think this kid is working for the cartel?”

“No. I don’t. His brother died of an OD on fentanyl. The guy was his hero.” I was certain he was being used and if I was right, my thoughts on this being a vendetta were clicking all the right buttons.

“Interesting. So you’re going to add breaking and entering into your list of skills.”

The single light over the back door to the school was dimly lit, the two streetlights near the set of buildings barely offering any light whatsoever. While there were two security cameras, they were ancient in comparison to today’s technology, the alarm system dysfunctional due to budget constraints.

“Wouldn’t you do this for Lark?”

He grumbled under his breath. “Now you get it.”

“Yeah, I do.” I was about ready to use a bolt cutter on the lock when Lachlan punched my arm.

“I think your instincts were on the money.” He pointed to a window that remained cracked open.

I didn’t waste any time, hoisting myself to the ledge, shoving it open and climbing in. Within seconds, I’d unlocked the door, allowing Lachlan inside.

“This is a massive building. Are we going to split up?”

Exhaling, I pulled out the flashlight I’d brought. “No need. I know exactly where he is.” I’d seen the look in the kid’s eyes the day in the alley. He’d been just as distraught as Kerri had been. Someone had gone to great lengths to keep tabs on Kerri, scaring her just enough to keep her off guard so her defenses would drop.

And maybe in fear, forcing her to expose the evidence.

Fuck.

I moved through the hallways, trying to remember my way in the darkened space, keeping as quiet as possible. This could be my one chance to be able to talk to the kid before he disappeared permanently whether by his choice or someone else’s.

What I still couldn’t piece together was why Elizabeth had gotten involved. But it was obvious now she’d tried to confess or at least warn me, and I’d blown her off. Had she been recruited to come into the club and try to gather information given Drago had been a member in a former life? Or was she in love with Drago? Then there was a possibility she’d been promised a hefty paycheck. Greed certainly had its place with women as well.

Everything remained to be seen and at this point, I couldn’t care less. All that mattered was getting Kerri back safely.

As soon as I moved onto the hallway where the music room was located, I turned off the flashlight. Lachlan remained behind me as we headed toward the door. Before I reached it, I heard music. The kid was playing the piano beautifully, putting his heart and soul into it.

When I opened the door, he didn’t seem to notice initially, too lost in the moment. The slender stream of moonlight washing in through the dirty windows allowed enough light to confirm it was Sanchez tickling the ivories.

Lachlan shifted toward the windows and after taking three steps closer to Sanchez, he sensed my presence and tried to bolt toward the windows. My buddy caught him easily, pitching him to the floor. Then I advanced quickly, jerking him up as Lachlan turned on the light. I dragged Sanchez by his shirt, issuing a brutal punch to his face while keeping my hold firm.

His head was pitched to the side and the second he tried to retaliate, I yanked my weapon from my jacket, shoving the barrel under his chin.

“I don’t think you want to do that. Do you, Sanchez?” I heard Lachlan’s sigh and grinned. He’d seen this side of me only a couple of times before.

“Fuck you. What the fuck you doin’, man?” Sanchez’s eyes were wild. “Who the fuck are you?” The kid was terrified but doing his best to hide it.

“Christ. Are you really going to play that game?” I drove the cold steel deeper into his neck until he made a strangled sound.

“You crazy?” he asked, only his voice showed signs of the fear coursing through his system. Good.

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