Chapter 54
Fifty-Four
“ G et up.” Lennox motioned with the gun in his hand for them to rise.
Esther glared at him as Edie and her mother helped her to her feet.
He tipped his head, eyeing them. “All the Campbell women in one place. Esther, I see where you get your beauty.”
“Oh, stop trying to be charming,” Edie said. “We know you’re not.”
“You’re right”—the smile disappeared from his face—“I’m not.” He raised his gun.
It was like déjà vu for Esther. Except this time, she was saving her sister. Shoving Edie, she stepped forward. “Stop trying to shoot people I love.”
He lowered the gun barrel toward the floor. “I’m beginning to question if you’re the right mother for my daughter. What kind of person steps in front of a gun on purpose? Twice?”
Before Esther could react, he darted a hand out and grabbed hold of her arm, yanking her forward.
Fire ripped through her abdomen at the abrupt movement. She winced, but held back the cry of pain. Little more than a soft grunt escaped.
“But you’re still better than that bitch, Lindy.” He pulled Esther against him, putting his face next to her ear. “I bet you’ll make smart babies too. So long as they don’t get your penchant for chivalry.”
Esther’s stomach revolted as he nuzzled her neck.
Edie took a step forward. Lennox’s gun lifted, aiming at her chest.
“Uh-uh-uh, big sister. You better watch your step. Little sister can’t step in to save you this time.”
Fury fairly shot from Edie’s eyes, like bolts of lightning. She balled her fists at her side, and her chest heaved as she glared at him.
Lennox stepped back. “Let’s go.” He tipped his head toward the dining room.
Edie and Faye edged around him. Esther caught her sister’s gaze as she moved past. The look in her eyes said she would pounce at the first opportunity.
Saying a silent prayer her ambush would work out in their favor, Esther let him propel her forward. Edie and their mother walked ahead. She saw Edie glance down the hall, then stumble. Faye caught her, holding her for a second before letting go.
“That’s far enough.”
They’d reached the living room.
“What are you going to do to us?” Edie asked.
“My plan was to sneak in, take Esther, and leave everyone alive.”
“You still can,” Esther said. “I’ll go with you. Just leave them alone.” She didn’t really want to go with him. It was more of a ploy to stall him than anything else. Help shouldn’t be far away. Even if he took her up on her offer, they likely wouldn’t get far. There were multiple cameras Asher could access to get vehicle information. He’d find her before they ever left the area.
“Esther!” Faye’s back straightened. “That’s a horrible idea.”
“It’s fine, Mom,” Esther said through clenched teeth.
“Esther Jean, it is not fine.” Faye took a couple of steps forward, the mama bear coming out. She shook a finger in Lennox’s face. “Listen here, you pathetic waste of space.”
Esther chanced a glance at Lennox. Shock had made his mouth go a little slack. She bit back a smile.
“If you think I’m going to let you walk out of here with my baby, you’re dumber than a box of stubby crayons. Even if you kill me and Edie, where do you think you’re gonna go that Asher and his friends won’t find you? Do you know what they can do? Do you know how they found you the first time?”
His shock morphed into curiosity. Esther widened her eyes, trying to tell her mother to stop talking. They didn’t need to give away all the Wagner Brigade’s secrets.
But Faye was too wound up to notice. She took a step closer. Lennox shifted, turning slightly as he put some space between them.
“Stay back.” He aimed the gun in her direction, but Esther noticed he kept the tip pointed down.
She sent a quick look back. Was he second-guessing things?
“Go ahead. Shoot me.” Faye tapped her chest, then held her arms wide. “See how well she cooperates after you kill her mother. Do it. Do it!” She lunged forward, making him spin.
The abrupt movement was too much for Esther’s healing muscles this time, and she cried out in pain, sagging into his hold.
“Now!” Edie yelled.
What happened next was a blur. Faye dove to the side, while Edie dove forward like a linebacker. The muffled clink of pottery breaking registered a moment before pebbles, dirt, and shards of the terracotta planter holding Esther’s little succulent rained over her head.
Lennox let out a grunt, his knees buckling, but he didn’t go down.
Hands appeared around his wrist on his gun hand. Before Esther could see who they belonged to, another set of hands grabbed her upper arm and tugged. She fell away from Lennox. When she looked up, it was to see Edie.
“You go with Annabeth.” Edie spun her away. Esther stumbled, shards of pain spearing her battered body at the sudden shift.
“I’ve got you.” Annabeth grabbed onto her biceps, then readjusted her hold. Looping Esther’s arm over her shoulders, she slid an arm around her waist and pulled her away from the skirmish.
Where did she come from? Esther didn’t have time to ask. Chaos had erupted around her.
From behind them, Brooke came running, carrying a filet knife from the kitchen.
“Edie!”
Intercepting Brooke, Edie took the knife, then whirled, her red braid flying out behind her as she took two running steps toward Lennox and launched herself onto his back. The shift in his center of gravity yanked his arm up and out of Audra’s grip.
Edie locked her legs around his waist and put the knife to his throat. “Drop it!”
He froze, but didn’t drop the gun.
“I will happily stick this knife through your spine after all you’ve done, but kindly don’t make me stain my sister’s floor. She quite likes this rug.”
When he still hesitated, she pressed the tip into his flesh. A bead of blood dribbled down his neck.
He let out a grunt and grimaced. “Oh, you’re a fucking crazy bitch.” He opened his hand and let the gun drop.
Audra scooped it up. Edie unwound herself from his torso, but stayed close.
“Get down,” Audra told him.
Lennox dropped to his knees.
“On your stomach.” Audra flicked the barrel of the gun to the floor.
“We need something to tie him up,” Edie said.
“Already on it.” Brooke walked forward, pulling the scarf from around her neck. She knelt down, putting a knee into Lennox’s back.
He groaned and wiggled. “Damn. Move, lady. You’ve got bony knees.”
“Oh, shut up, or I’ll gag you too.” Brooke wove the cloth around his wrists, then folded the ends over and around several times. “There. My husband taught me that knot. Get out of that, you bastard.” She stood up and dusted off her hands. Grinning ear to ear, she cast a glance around the room. “Who says the guys get to have all the fun?”
Esther sagged against Annabeth, and a soft laugh slid free. Her adrenaline ebbed, and it was then that she heard the sirens outside and saw the strobing red and blue lights through the windows.
Faye walked over and opened the door to let the officers in.
“Do you need to sit down?” Annabeth asked quietly.
“Please.” Annabeth’s hold was likely the only reason she wasn’t in a heap on the floor. It certainly wasn’t her wobbly knees keeping her upright.
“Let’s go this way, then.” Annabeth led her to the side and to a dining chair, helping her ease into it.
“Thank you.” Esther brushed a tendril of hair out of her eyes, then took in a trembly breath and looked at Lennox, who squirmed on the floor as the police filed inside. His words replayed through her mind, and her heart rate kicked up again. “Leah.” She gripped Annabeth’s wrist. “Did he get to her again?”
Annabeth’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure.” She turned. “Brooke.”
The other woman looked over.
“Find out if Leah’s safe.”
A wicked smile crossed her face. “Gladly.” She knelt onto Lennox’s back again, making him howl. Bending low, she spoke to him.
“No.” He tossed his head. “Goddammit, get off! I didn’t touch her. I don’t know where she is.”
Brooke rose, then turned to Annabeth and Esther. “I’d say she’s safe.”
Esther rolled her eyes. “You’ve spent too much time with my sister.”
Edie snorted. “She got that attitude from Ford.”
“You’re both wrong.” Brooke smirked. “I was born with it.”