Page 78 of Manny's Surprise Baby
That made a little more sense now about why she was still in the picture. If she’d designed the washer, he probably couldn’t very well just dump her and keep the money all to himself.
She sighed and stood slowly. “I keep waiting for him to change back into the man I knew.”
“How long have you been married?”
“Thirty years.”
“Wow.”
Grimacing, she said, “He’s been like this the last four. I’m not sure I can take it anymore.”
“No one would blame you if you decided you’ve had enough.” I’d have divorced the asshole long ago.
She turned her head quickly toward me, fixing her gaze on me oddly. “Really?” She fingered a silver cross necklace she wore. “I have tried to be selfless and patient. But a woman has her limits. But I do worry God will judge me harshly.”
“Bad behavior has consequences, and I’m sorry to say, Brodie has behaved badly.”
She nodded. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right.”
I stifled a yawn. “I’m sorry.”
She smiled. “You poor dear. You’re exhausted. You run along to bed, and I’ll do the same.”
I had the adjoining suite, and I moved to the connecting door. “Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes. If I’m around.”
Was she dumping his sorry ass tonight? I couldn’t blame her, although personally, I’d have waited till we weren’t traveling around the country to do it.
I went into my room and had just pulled off my shirt when I heard a loud crash from Brodie and Lola’s suite. Springing toward the connecting door, I pulled my gun from my ankle holster and opened the door slowly. There wasn’t anyone in the main room of the suite, and the front door was still closed and bolted. Frowning, I crept into the dark room, sticking close to the wall and searching the shadows for any hint of movement.
My heart pounded as I made my way stealthily toward their bedroom door. When Lola let out a bloodcurdling scream, I lunged toward the bedroom door and flung it open, crouching so I wasn’t such an obvious target.
What I saw had me gasping in shock. Lola was struggling frantically with her husband, while trying to jab a knitting needle into his face. One needle was already lodged in his shoulder, and his eyes were wide with disbelief as his enraged wife snarled and attacked.
“Lola, stop!” I yelled, training my gun on her.
She glanced over, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?”
“Put the needle down, and move away from Brodie.” My voice was harsh, and I felt sick to my stomach at the idea I might have to shoot her.
Her face crumpled in disbelief. “But you’re on my side.” A sob broke from her lips. “You said no one would blame me.”
The blood drained from my face. “I meant if youdivorcedhim. I never meant you could kill him.” My voice wobbled as I moved toward her.
Brodie’s arms shook as he tried to hold his crazy wife off. “Why are you talking to her? Shestabbedme!”
“Shut up!” she growled, attacking him with more force now. “You asshole! How dare you disrespect me like that? How dare you parade your little sluts in front of me over and over again! I hate you.I hate you!”
I couldn’t bring myself to shoot her, so I shoved my gun back in my holster and lunged toward her. She screamed and tried to stab me with the needle, but I blocked it and it flew out of her hands. “Lola, calm down,” I said through gritted teeth, wrestling with her.
But Lola didn’t feel like calming down, and she screamed and clawed at my face hysterically. She managed to roll me, and my head banged the corner of the nightstand. It rocked me for a second, as stars circled the corner of my vision, but I clenched my teeth and pinned her arms, yanking her to her feet.
Brodie scrambled off the bed, gasping for air. “She’s insane. She’s lost her mind.” He bugged his eyes.
Lola burst into tears as she struggled in my arms. “Let me go. Just let me kill him. Please, let me kill him. Please, please, please let me kill him.” Her voice became higher-pitched. “He deserves it. You know he does; you even said so.”
“No, Lola. I never said that.” I put her on the ground as easily as I could, but she still let out a loudoomphas she hit the carpet. I held her wrists tight, one knee on her back. “Brodie, please call 911.”
