Page 63 of Compelled Obedience

She took a few seconds before answering. “You heard what he said. That was it.”

“What did I say about lying to me?”

Her exhale was rattled. “As I told you before, I’m not certain of anything. Except I’m positive it has something to do with my stepfather.”

“Why would it?”

She was trembling. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s very controlling and dangerous. When he went to prison, he thought I had something to do with it.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

Her laugh was even more nervous. She tried to slide from my lap, but I gripped her thigh, keeping her in place. “He sent me a letter.”

“Your stepfather?”

“Yes.”

“From prison?”

“No, a PO box, and before you ask, it’s registered in some bogus corporate name.”

“What did the note say?”

“It said that we needed to talk. He called me a little girl, which he used to do to try and scare me. Then he said I owed him and that I’d pay.”

“You’re certain it was from him?”

“The asshole thinks I’m to blame for him going to prison. That’s not true, although I admit I was thrilled.”

What she was telling me was getting worse by the minute. She would be coming with me.

I bristled, although I tried to keep it from her. I took a few seconds trying to calm her, brushing my fingers against her arm. When her breathing resumed some sense of normalcy, I continued. If the man was stalking her, I’d resort to tactics I hadn’t used in years. “What did he go to prison for?”

“Aggravated assault. He almost beat a guy to death.”

“Are you certain he’s still in prison?”

“I think so. I plan on calling the penitentiary tomorrow and no, you’re not going to get involved. That’s not acceptable.”

The woman had no idea what kind of people had it in for her. I knew enough to know if the cartel scum wanted her, it was likely as payment for a debt owed. At least now I had something to work from. “Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to pack a bag for you and Casey. Then you’re going to stay with me until I can make certain that you’re safe.”

Kerri jumped off my lap, backing away quickly. “No. I’m not going to derail my life because of some asshole trying to hurt me or because you think I’m going to follow your orders. I’m not that kind of girl.”

I rose to my feet, taking long strides in her direction, refusing to allow her to walk away. I snagged her wrist, yanking her against me. Her reaction was immediate, and she slammed her fists against my chest, but I sensed she was melting inside, uncertain what to do. “I know you believe in that kid who’s in your class, but he made a choice he can’t back away from when he held a weapon to your throat. Sanchez is a soldier for the LA Cartel. If you’ve lived in LA for any length of time, you’re aware of who they are and what they can do. Until I can get a handle on what’s happening, you will do as I say. I will not have you or your brother hurt because of your pride.”

“That can’t be true.”

I could tell by her expression she wasn’t shocked.

“You can’t save them all, my little kitten, no matter how much you want to or try and believe. Don’t allow your senses to be clouded on this. I can help you. You need to let me.”

There was such fire in her eyes that I wasn’t certain what she would do. When she lifted her arm, slow to react when she wanted to slap me across the face, I grabbed her wrist. While she tried to yank it from me, I squeezed her arm. Then she lifted her other hand and I cocked my head.

Her breathing was as ragged as mine, perhaps even more so. We stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed like a full minute. Then she wrapped her fingers around my shirt, pulling herself onto her tiptoes. When she arched her back, all the pent-up desire we both had for each other, the love-hate sensations that had roared through us from the beginning breached the surface.

“Who hurt you, baby? Who dared try and break your soul?”

Her lower lip trembled and I was as enraged as I’d ever been. I could see it in her eyes, the self-deprecating behavior, the hatred and fear. She was certain I would hurt her, terrified that by allowing herself to enjoy she’d fall into a trap.

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