Page 78 of Broken Discipline
“We can discuss everything inside.”
“Where. Is. My. Son?” she shouted.
“You want his fortune, right?” I asked cautiously. Tears filled her eyes. “Whatever his will says, I will make sure that you and Upchurch get everything from it. But leave my wife and kids alone.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. I stepped forward, and she locked her elbows, gripping the gun.
“You killed my only son, didn’t you?” she asked, lines creasing her face. Her vacant stare held me. “He’s the only reason I held on. Do you know what it’s like to outlive your husband and your only child?”
My stomach dropped, a stiffness creeping across my shoulders. I never wanted to imagine that life. I couldneverlet that happen. But I had no regrets when it came to protecting my family.
“Haven’t you ever wanted vengeance?” she shouted. I stepped forward again, analyzing the best way to disarm her. I was only one step away from her now. The guards were inside. I’d have to act fast.
“You have every right to be angry, Mrs. Astley,” I said. “But we—”
She pulled back the hammer on her gun. “And I have every right to kill you.”
I yanked the gun from her hand as she shot my shoulder and I tumbled to the ground. The guards came out of the house, opening fire, but I shot one in the head and the other in the chest. Edith stumbled, pulling out another gun, aiming at my head. Time slowed, each breath wheezing from her body. She pulled back the hammer. Steadied her aim. Tears streaked her cheeks.
More than anything, Edith wanted blood. I understood that.
But I had to protect my family
I shot her in the heart. She fell backward, landing on a patio chair with a thud. Her blank expression gazed at me, trickles of blood running down her face, staining her nightgown.
The front door opened. The estate manager blinked her eyes at me, stammering like a deer in headlights. I pointed the gun at her forehead and made my shot.
A bird chirped in the distance. The early sunlight shone over Opulent Gates as if nothing had happened. Corpses littered the front porch, but the echo of bullets had faded.
I walked back to my SUV and dialed Gore Bloom, the director of the board, but the call went straight to voicemail. He was my best option at getting a true negotiation with Upchurch, but he wasn’t myonlyoption.
A missed call notification from Ramona showed up on my phone. I made a note of it, but stowed my phone, not wanting to call her back until everything was finished. I owed her that comfort. Instead, I called Chip.
“Sir?” he answered.
“How’s Ramona?” I asked.
“She’s here. The twins too.”
That was good. “Clean up the Astley Manor,” I said.
“Yes, sir.”
I hung up. I leaned back and contemplated my options. Negotiating with Upchurch could potentially go better than it had with Edith; after all, Upchurch was a businessman. But that option seemed unlikely. Still, killing Upchurch would risk alarming the rest of the Marked Blooms Syndicate, and I couldn’t put Ramona at risk.
I drove to Upchurch’s office and checked the clock on the SUV’s dashboard. Our observations had determined that he usually arrived at the building within the hour. I could be patient.
My phone buzzed violently on the dashboard. I picked it up; one of my men had texted me:The Carter Care Facility is on fire.
I dialed Chip again, but there was no answer. Each number I called went to voicemail. Everyone was occupied.
What the fuck was happening at Carter Care Facility?
A sick sensation crawled in my stomach. But I started the engine, ready to analyze the situation. If this had to do with everything that had been going on, then that would explain why Upchurch hadn’t arrived at work yet. He had set my company’s headquarters on fire. I needed to move.
No matter what it took, I had to finish this. I owed that to Ramona.
CHAPTER 19
