Page 68 of Splintered Security
Giltenhouse tries to put up a fight, but I slam a boot to his ass, and he blacks out long enough for me to do what I must.
I rush to my mother-in-law and cut the ties binding her. “Adrienne. Adrienne, wake up.”
She murmurs something unintelligible.
“An ambulance is on the way. Stay with me. If not for me, do it for Anni.”
One eye is swollen shut. The other, she opens by a fraction. It’s maximum effort if her grimace is anything to go by.
The resolve I see there says it all.
“Your daughter is tough. She gets that from you. Need you to stay tough with me for a little while longer.”
She nods but groans as she does.
“I’ll rain down hell on you,” Giltenhouse says, the strengthgone from his voice as he attempts intimidation from his position on the floor. Stupid fucker.
Me: Adrienne is safe. It’ll take me a while to get home. Thank you for today.
Liam: I won’t say ‘anytime’, but you’re welcome.
I’ll call Anni in a minute. For now, as the sirens approach, I have one last bit of salt to rub in the wound. “You know…” I pause to enjoy the moment, leaning to get in his face. “Smith was working his own angles. He’s not a narc, but he’s been using club resources for his own gain for a while. Do with that what you will.”
Giltenhouse’s face is practically purple. I smile in satisfaction knowing I’ve made his day a little worse. For my shit to go this pear-shaped, it’s about as good an outcome as I could ask for.
The front door crashes open and more police than I can count swarm the house, their guns trained on me. I twist my wrist, setting my pistol on the counter, and slowly raise my hands above my head.
“I’m Lorenzo Gallo. This is my mother-in-law’s home. I called in the disturbance.”
“Turn around and kneel.”
I do, putting my hands on my head. “Knife in my front right pocket. ID and concealed carry permit in my wallet in the back right.” I speak clearly and loudly. “Former Army.”
Colorado Springs may be home of the U.S. Air Force Academy, but they’re military strong.
My arms are twisted behind my back and the ratchet of cuffs tings through the room.
“May I stand?”
“Yes.” The officer lifts at the same time he gives his verbal ascent.
The whole time, Giltenhouse is screaming, making wild accusations. “Adrienne is my mother-in-law. I was here visiting at my wife’s request. This guy came in here wild and waving a gun and hit her. My buddy”—he tilts his head to Conyers—“had to come as back-up since he shot me and wouldn’t let me leave.”
The police look between us as SWAT and paramedics swarm the kitchen.
“I’ll tell you everything, but please see to my wife’s mother.” EMTs work to load Adrienne onto a stretcher and wheel her unconscious body out.
Giltenhouse and Conyers get the next two ambulances. Heath’s face when he sees his bike on its side has me fighting a smirk. Silver linings and all.
Anni
“Your mom’s going to be okay,” Liam said, right before he left… five hours ago.
I haven’t heard a thing from Ren. And, I’m pissed.
Why in the world my husband thought it was a good idea to relay info about my mom to an almost-stranger while leaving me in the dark is beyond me.
I’ve sent seven text messages since the one about my car. All have gone unanswered. He hasn’t answered my calls. Have I mentioned I’m pissed?
