Page 40 of Compelled Obedience

Jesus Christ. She was comparing me to the kid who had no problems handing her over like a possession.

Laughing, I snapped the blade shut, shoving the knife into my pocket. “Well, if by that you mean I won’t hesitate to try and help someone I care about, then you’re right.”

“You followed me.”

“I wanted to make certain you were safe.”

She lowered his gaze then sighed. “Look, I had an amazing time this afternoon. What you did was… anyway, I think you’re a great guy but that can never happen again.”

“Why? What is it that you aren’t telling me?”

“Nothing. I just have too much going on in my life right now. I told you that kid is troubled.”

“And you need to call the police.”

“That’s not going to happen!” She was lying. Why? To protect me? “Just go. Okay? I am fine, Grant.”

I closed the distance and I could swear she was going to have a panic attack. I threw up my hands and backed away. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

“Okay, then.” I backed all the way against the wall, folding my arms. She’d shut herself off but my gut told me she was trying to protect me. She was right. I was a dangerous man. No one was going to fuck with someone I cared about.

I would make certain of it.

She gave me another look of longing then kept her head down as she headed toward the sidewalk. I raked my hand through my hair, cursing under my breath. “Great, asshole. You have no finesse.” Angry at the situation, I watched as she disappeared around the corner, giving me one last look.

Hissing, I closed my eyes. Then I bounded toward the street, catching her just before she went inside an apartment building. She hadn’t bothered to try to gather the crumbled groceries, leaving them on the ground. I bent down, completely exasperated. As I picked through the items, I noticed chocolate milk, the crushed carton leaking all over everything.

The food was interesting. Cap’n Crunch cereal. Boxed macaroni and cheese. Other items I’d call kid’s food. I glanced up at her building, eyeing the windows that fronted the street. I could swear she was watching me.

What are you doing, precious kitten? Who’s after you?

I was determined to find out.

CHAPTER 11

Kerri

I’d been right. Maybe I hadn’t wanted to admit that one of my students had tried to hurt me days before. Why was this happening? It had to be about money or maybe Sanchez was being tested, initiated into a gang. There was such purpose in what he was doing, luring me into the alley with a smile and a question. Right. I’d been stupid enough to take a single foot into the shadowed space.

Who was the person Sanchez mentioned? There was no chance it was my dirtbag of a stepfather, but I would ensure he was still in prison. What would that matter? My skin crawled as I tried to catch my breath, struggling with the realization that someone wanted me dead.

Or worse.

I knew better than to think Sanchez had orchestrated the attempted kidnapping. He’d been doing nothing more than issuing another warning.

To hell with him.

Grant was right. I should call the police, but I was no fool. If I dared do that, I’d be targeted by other members of the same gang.

I was shaking all over, my head aching.

Get control.

My thoughts drifted back to the balled-up letter that I’d tucked away, strangled by the ugly words more so now than before. I’d prayed my life was under control even though I’d known all along that it was only a matter of time before it came crashing down.

“Kerwi. Kerwi!” Casey raced toward me.

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