Page 90 of Compelled Obedience

After a few seconds, I took a deep breath, backing away from the punching bag. Grumbling, he eased from his chair, untying the boxing gloves.

“You need to keep your cool,” he cautioned.

“That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

“Full of idioms today. That girl has you wrapped around her finger.” He yanked off one glove, leaving me to do the other one. Then he returned to his seat, keeping his glare.

I tossed both gloves into a cabinet, raking my hands through my hair then rolling down my sleeves. My need for revenge was satiated for now, but it would return with a vengeance. I was certain of that. After yanking my jacket off my chair, I felt the corners of my lips drift into a snarl. There was nothing worse in my mind than deceit.

“You gonna fill me in?”

I remained silent, trying to keep my rage from the surface. But I was ready to lose my shit.

I felt Lachlan’s stare although he remained quiet. Both he and Jameson had been set to return to their respective cities today, but I’d called them instead, insisting they come to the club. I’d paced the floor since before Lachlan had arrived, trying to keep my mouth shut until Jameson walked through the door to my office.

Maybe that was because I wasn’t entirely certain I could repeat the story a second time.

“Talk,” Lachlan finally said after I’d ignored him.

I stopped pacing, throwing him a look. Then I tossed the file I’d created in his direction across the desk. “This says everything you need to know.” I’d added what information I’d found from the internet along with memories as provided by my beautiful kitten to the file. While there were holes the size of the Grand Canyon, the details formed an interesting puzzle. As well as a possible web of deceit.

He lifted a single eyebrow before yanking it into his hand, taking his time to read the documents.

A full two minutes passed before he closed the file.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he said quietly.

“Maybe but I have no other choice. Plus, I have a feeling I was about to be dragged into the situation.”

“Because of your affiliation with Ms. Bettington?”

Exhaling, I shook my head. “Because once upon a time Drago used to be a member of this club.” I watched as Lachlan’s eyes opened wide.

“Fascinating. Then you’re aware there’s a hell of a lot more going on. That’s clear as fucking mud.”

“You bet I am,” I told him just as Jameson walked into the room. I had my theories but without being able to stand in front of Silas so I’d know if he was lying or not, I wouldn’t know for certain.

“Wow. I can tell I missed a hell of a lot. So, I am more than curious what is so urgent,” Jameson said, his grin fading when he noticed the look on my face.

“Close the door,” I told him. Then I headed toward the bar. I’d told myself that I’d keep a clear head, but after spending hours searching the internet for connections, attempting to get Silas to return my call, my patience was shot. I was also finished being Mr. Nice Guy.

Jameson’s expression held surprise, but he did what I asked, shoving his hands into his pockets before walking closer. “This is about that sexy woman you claimed. Right? Nothing could make a man so angry.”

“It’s about a coverup,” Lachlan said under his breath before lifting his gaze toward our buddy. “Several years in the making.”

“What the hell?” Jameson muttered.

I handed him the file, allowing him a couple of minutes to look it over.

He had the same expression on his face that Lachlan had minutes before.

“What did you get yourself in the middle of?” Jameson asked.

“Why don’t I take a calculated guess,” Lachlan offered. “I will guess that Mr. Drago Santiago got in with the big boys under the cartel leader’s regime, perhaps even becoming an important soldier or possibly one of his enforcers.”

“I would agree with that,” I told him based on what Kerri had said to me the night before. She’d held nothing back, relaying what she knew, which hadn’t added much more to the story from what she’d told me before. However, it corroborated what Tristen had told me over the phone. Her stepfather had likely become an even larger player in the LA Cartel, staying under the radar yet controlling certain business dealings. Before we could find out anything else, Tristen had been stonewalled, his questions resulting in his superiors telling him to leave it alone.

But of course, I knew my friend and he’d keep searching, which was what I was counting on. With Drago being alive, it was obvious he’d hired the kid from Kerri’s school to threaten her. But why? If he continued to believe she was guilty for turning him in, why not just eliminate the problem?

---