Page 45 of Greed
“You’ll do no such thing.” Janet slammed her suitcases shut, as if that could protect her stash from Lilo’s prying eyes.
Janet’s sense of greed flared until it consumed Griffin’s mind and he was ready to do something about it. She boarded on deadly.
“And no, this isn’t a safe. It’s a room, or is your righteous head too far up your ass to see that?”
The fuming rage that ripped through Griffin made his vision blur. This woman spoke to her own flesh and blood like she was worthless. What a piece of work.
“I was just asking,” Lilo mumbled and searched underneath her father’s desk.
“Janet,” Griffin said, tone as sharp as a knife. He was done with propriety. “Where are you going with those weapons?”
“Leaving town, like I said. Now, out of my way.”
“No.” He planted himself firmly before her. “I don’t think so. Besides, you’re not leaving town, are you? You’re going to attempt to rescue Lilo’s father on your own.”
The whites of Janet’s eyes showed. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Mom, really?” Lilo was at a small shelf loaded with grenades, searching idly. “What do you intend to do, exchange the suitcases for Dad?”
“Oh, don’t be silly. I plan on using the guns, not giving them away.”
“To get Dad.”
Janet’s eyes shuttered as her brows lifted in a smug sort of way. “If that’s what you want to believe, then that’s up to you.”
“You’re not going to rescue him,” Griffin said slowly, as the realization came to him. She’d boasted before about taking everything since the father was gone. The woman obviously held some deep-seated grudge against the man. “You’re going to kill him.”
Janet slammed her palms on her wobbly suitcase. “He should have been dead already.”
“Mom?” Lilo’s hand fluttered to her throat. “Did you set this up? Did you have Dad kidnapped? All so you could get me to open his private safe?”
Janet paled. “Don’t be ridiculous. If I wanted to plan your father’s murder, I would have done it with a little more style.”
“She didn’t do it, Lilo,” Griffin stated. “But she’s prepared to capitalize on the opportunity, aren’t you Janet? Is it the insurance?”
Janet glowered at him.
“Mom. Do you know where Dad’s safe is?”
“He has a secret safe?” Hysteria had leached into Janet’s voice and her eyes became manic. “Where? Where is it?” She rushed her daughter and shook her violently, repeating her questions.
“Get off me!” Lilo cried.
Griffin went to Lilo, intending to help, but she surprised him with a self-defense move. She flicked her mother’s wrist and twisted it behind her body. In a few seconds, Janet was on the floor, winded and gasping for air as she stared at the ceiling.
He barely bit back the grin.
“Get a hold of yourself, mom.”
“I… I just… I can’t live without him. I need money. I need to support myself.”
“So you’re going to kill him anyway and take the insurance money? You’re insane.” Lilo clicked her tongue in disgust. “Look around you. This is what your precious money has given you. Violence, maniacal tendencies and an empty home.”
“And a lot of guns,” Griffin added absently.
Janet clawed herself upright by using the wall covered in empty gun racks. “You have no idea what it’s like living with a man like that.”
“Oh, I think I do.”
