Page 107 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

Edna let out a furious shriek and lunged for me.

I had seconds to react.

I grabbed the first thing I could find—a thick oversized tome so heavy it nearly slipped from my grasp.

I didn’t hesitate. I swung.

The book slammed into the side of Edna’s head with a sickening thud. She staggered, eyes unfocused, then crumpled to the floor in a heap.

For a split second, I couldn’t help but think that the book really was mightier than the sword.

Breathing hard, I dropped the book and turned to Kelly.

She was gripping the railing, her body trembling, her eyes wide with fright.

“I got you,” I said, looping my arm around her waist.

We descended the spiral staircase, moving as fast as Kelly’s body would allow. Each step felt like an eternity, every breath an effort, but we made it to the first floor.

We reached the main library, and I hurried her through it, then through the foyer to the kitchen and out the back door. I preferred to go out the front door to my truck, but I heard Edna groan as I went down the stairs, which meant she wouldn’t be far behind, and I worried we wouldn’t have enough time to get the front double doors open before she caught up with us.

A blast of cool spring air hit us as we stumbled into the backyard.

I turned back toward the house, expecting to see Edna chasing us, but not yet.

But we weren’t yet safe.

I gripped Kelly’s arm. “We can chance going around the mansion to my truck or into the woods and hide until the police get here.” I left the decision to Kelly.

She took a shallow breath. “Your dad can’t be far off. We hide.”

We barely made it to the edge of the woods when a gunshot rang out, the bullet kicking up dirt far too close to Kelly’s feet.

We spun around.

Edna stood in the distance gun in hand and a lump on the side of her head the size of a lemon.

“That was a warning shot,” Edna said, her voice sharp and cold. “Move and the next bullet goes through her belly.” She pointed the gun at Kelly and started walking toward us.

Kelly let out a strangled sob, clutching her stomach as if she could somehow protect her unborn son.

I barely thought before stepping in front of her.

“Pepper, what are you doing?” Kelly said, panic lacing her voice.

I squared my shoulders making sure I kept my voice steady. “Making sure my brother Danny doesn’t lose you or the baby.”

And that’s when I saw him.

Mo.

He peeked around the corner of the mansion, his massive frame on alert, waiting for my signal.

I could have shouted Geronimo, the command that would send him charging at Edna.

But I didn’t.

If she saw him coming, she’d fire before he reached her.

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