Page 129 of Asher's Assignment
“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.”
