Breaking Bedrock (Book Two) (19 page)

“Yeah. I had an amnio done a few weeks ago because of my advanced
maternal age. They told me that it’s a girl and that she looks absolutely
perfect.” Her smile widened.

“Wow. So what do you say then? Seriously, I really think we can
make this work, you and I.”

Michele grinned. “I say it’s time we got you a transfer before
corporate has a shit fit.”

Patrick climbed in the bed and kissed her forehead gently. He
exhaled a sigh of relief, nervously placing his hand on Michele’s belly. “Good,
I’m glad it’s settled then.”

The sun was setting, and it was quickly growing dark as
Patrick headed back to the house. He wanted to talk to Addison before they
released Michele from the hospital and explain that he needed to leave for a
few days. He still hadn’t really gotten a chance to talk to her, but he assumed
that she should be back by now. What he wasn’t looking forward to though was
dealing with his mother. She and Addison
together
would be pure hell.
Still, he figured that Addie couldn’t be too angry with him; after all, he
wasn’t stupid. He knew the real reason that she’d gone back to Austin. That
said, he probably should’ve warned her about the shit storm she would likely be
walking into with his mother.

Making his way through the gate, he nodded at the men waiting off
to the side in their SUV. They hadn’t been there when he’d left that he
remembered, so he gathered that if they were there now, then his wife was
mostly likely back. He had to admit that seeing them there was a little strange;
he couldn’t quite grasp just what kind of person needed to have people
following them, knowing their comings and goings at all times.
What kind of
life would that be, anyway?
What would this mean for his children? How
would that kind of lifestyle affect them?
That was something he needed to
discuss with Addie. In fact, there were a lot of things that had to be worked
out between the two of them. But these talks would have to wait; he needed to
get back to the hospital. Sure enough, her car was out front. Taking a deep
breath, Patrick stepped out of his car and wrapped his wool coat around him. The
temperature had been rapidly dropping after a front had blown in that
afternoon. He put his key in and hesitantly turned the door handle, praying he
could get in and get out quickly. Knowing his parents, he guessed not. He
tiptoed in and listened for a moment before entering the living area. He
shuddered when he saw his parents sitting on the sofa opposite Addison.
This
wasn’t going to be good
. He looked from his mother to Addison, who was
staring at her hands in her lap before she met his gaze. His father cleared his
voice and stood. “Patrick.”

Patrick retreated. “Look. I don’t really have time for this. I’m
just here to grab a few things. I really have to head back to the hospital here
pretty quickly. Addison, I need to speak to you in the other room, please.”

Addie stood and faced him; oddly enough, he was almost sure that
he could detect the slightest hint of a smile upon her face. “Everything okay?”

“Patrick,” Penny interrupted. She huffed before continuing.
“Addison, here, assures us that she knew of your situation and tells us that
all of this is going to be cleared up amicably, which, of course, we’re very pleased
to hear.”

Patrick looked surprised. “That’s always been the plan, Mother—”

“Yes, well your father and I just want what’s best for you, but,
honey I have to say—”

Penny was cut off as Addie’s cell phone rang, and she stepped
outside onto the deck to take the call. When she came back in a few minutes
later, Patrick noticed that her face had drained of any color.

“Patrick, I need to speak to you alone, please,” she whispered,
her eyes glazed over.

Penny sighed. “I think it’s best if your father and I get back
home now that the children are in bed. It’s probably best to leave you two to
it. I’ve got a huge luncheon and still lots yet to put together for it.”

Addison’s face suddenly grew red. “Is there anything else you
want to tell us, Penny? Anything else you’ve been working on?”

Penny slung her coat over her arm and stared at Addie, mouth
open. “I beg your pardon?”

“How long have you been working with Scott Hammons, Penny? HOW
LONG!”

Penny shifted. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you’re talking
about.”

“Mother—” Patrick started.

“Tell him, Penny. Tell him what you’ve been up to. Hell, for that
matter, why don’t you tell us all because . . .” Addie paused and crossed the
room, placing herself directly in front of her mother-in-law. “Because my
sources say that they’ve seen you coming and going from Scott Hammons’
residence.”

Penny scoffed. “Well your
source
s must be mistaken.”

“Mother, is what Addison’s saying true? I mean . . . Come on, Addison,
I really don’t think my mother would—”

“Here,” Addison said, thrusting her phone in his direction. “You
tell me. Does that look like your mom in the picture to you?”

Patrick glanced at the phone and then glared at the phone and
then at Penny. “Well, yeah,
actually
it does.”

“Penny, what are these two talking about?” Mr. Greyer finally
chimed in.

“It’s nothing, okay?
Nothing
. I was just taking him some
food.”

“Why on earth would you be taking that man food?” Patrick and his
father asked in unison.

Penny opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out until
Addie’s phone rang again, breaking the silence.

Patrick tried to hear what the male voice on the other end of the
line was saying but was unable to make out exactly what was being said. He
could only tell that he was speaking in a hurried manner and that the more he
said the grimmer Addie’s face grew.

“What is it now?” Patrick sighed as he watched Addie make a
sudden start for the stairs.

“That was Carl. There’s been an incident at the gate with
security. They’re advising us to stay inside with the doors and windows locked
until further notice.” Addie replied rapidly.

She made it halfway up the stairs before stopping. “Penny does
Scott know that I’m . . . that
we’re
here?”

Penny placed her hands on her hips and stared wide-eyed at her
husband, but she didn’t reply.

“Mother! This man tried to kill my wife. Now, I don’t know what
it is you’ve been doing messing with this man, but this is serious. Damn it!
Answer the question!” Patrick demanded.

“Yes, I think he does,” Penny finally relented.

Sixteen

Addie made her way into the room where the boys were
sleeping. She checked on them, kissed their heads, and covered them up. Although
the room was on the second floor of the house, she checked the windows to make
sure they were locked.

Sinking down on the floor, she pulled her cell from her back
pocket and texted Carl.

What’s going on down there? Shall I contact the police?

She waited, and after a few minutes with no response, she dialed
William, but her call went straight to voicemail. She was about to dial the
police when Patrick quietly opened the door. He came in a knelt in front of
her. “Hey. What’s going on?”

Addie motioned toward the door and stood quietly, tiptoeing out
into the hall. “I don’t know. I can’t get a hold of anyone, and I’m worried.”

Patrick frowned. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but, hey, I really do
need to get back to the hospital. They’ve decided to release Michele just as
soon as someone’s there to pick her up.”

“Your parents said she and the baby are okay. I’m glad to hear
that, but, Patrick, I really don’t think leaving right now is the best idea, at
least until I get ahold of security and see what the issue is.”

The lights flickered and then went out. “What the hell?” Patrick
cursed.

Addie’s stomach sank. She reached for her cell and pressed the
number to dial Carl.

Patrick headed down the stairs. “I’ll check on my parents and
grab some flashlights from the kitchen. You figure out what in the hell is
going on.”

Still no answer. Addie panicked and then remembered the gun
William had given her down in her overnight bag. She ran down the stairs, past
Patrick, who was helping his father light candles. As she rounded the corner
into the bedroom where her overnight bag was, she noticed Penny out of the
corner of her eye, sitting on the couch, her head in her hands.
God, she
wanted to kill that woman.
She rummaged through the dark, using the
flashlight on her cell phone until she found her bag and the gun. Throwing on a
hoodie, she checked that the safety was on and tucked the gun inside her pants
then dialed 911 and willed it to ring.
Nothing.

She moved closer to the window and tried again.
Still nothing.
It was then that Addie heard the commotion coming from what sounded like
the front of the house. Shoving the phone in the pocket of her hoodie, she
started off running for her children but only got as far as the living room
when that deep voice she knew so well stopped her in her tracks, causing a lump
to form in her throat.

Addie stopped and let her eyes adjust to the candlelight.
Suddenly, hyperaware of her surroundings, she noticed Penny pleading with
Patrick at the door as the voice spoke again, but it took her a moment to
process what was being said.

“Do not open the door. Whatever you do, do not open that door.”
William urged.

Penny gasped, nodding at Patrick. “Son, we have to. He’s killing
him.”

Addie surveyed the chaos around her. She looked from Penny to Mr.
Greyer, who appeared to be trying desperately to dial out on his cell phone, and
back to Patrick again. “STOP,” she yelled, the hard voice that came out
surprising even her.

She moved between Patrick and Penny and peered out the small
window next to the door. What she saw nearly brought her to her knees. Her gaze
met William’s and her breath caught. He was bloody and beaten, and Scott
Hammons was standing directly behind him, holding a knife to his throat.

Addie put her hand on the gun and slowly turned the lock.

“Don’t do it, Addison.” William pleaded as Scott delivered a blow
that could be heard even through the thick wooden door.

“Okay, STOP. I’m opening the door.” Addie paused, quickly turning
to Patrick, and whispered. “Go to the kids and take them and hide. You know
this house better than anyone.”

“Patrick eyed her with a deer-in-the-headlights look. “I don’t
think I should leave you.”

CRUNCH.
Another cursing blow came from outside the door.

“GO!” Addie shouted in a hushed voice.

Addie stared at Penny who was wild-eyed and sighed. “Go.” She
nodded.

“What does he want?” Mr. Greyer asked, moving in close to Addie.
“Money? We can just write him a check.”

Once Patrick had cleared the top of the stairs and Penny had
started out the back doors onto the deck, Addison slowly turned the lock and
opened the doors.

Scott thrust William, who was barely standing, through the door.
“Hands up!” he shouted, throwing William to the ground. When Addie started for
him, Scott kicked William so hard in the stomach she immediately backed up. “I
said, put your fucking hands up!”

Addie did as she was told and watched as Scott took two pairs of
handcuffs from his jacket pocket. “You little whore, cuff the old man. Take him
to the sofa. And then crawl to me on all fours or your little lover boy here
gets tasered again.”

She did as she was told but stopped at the sofa.
If she gave
him what he wanted now, she was in trouble.
Addie met his gaze dead on.
“I’m not crawling to you, Scott. If you want to kill him, do it.”

Addie flinched as he stuck the Taser to William’s neck.

“Do what I fucking said! Get on all fours, you little bitch.” He
pressed a button, and Addie watched in horror as William convulsed.

She steadily but slowly moved her hand towards the gun, pretty
sure she had a good shot.

“Wait! Stop!” Mr. Greyer demanded. “Is it money you’re after,
son? Because I can get you whatever it is that you need.”

Hammons spat. “Does it look like I need money? You rich fuckers .
. . You’re all the same—so goddamned stupid. Did it ever occur to you that if I
wanted money I would’ve gotten it from this dirt bag here?” He hoisted William
up, and Addie lost her clear shot. Forcing him to stand, Scott demanded William
place Addison’s arms behind her back and cuff her. William trailed his fingers
down her arms in a way that gave her chills. She glanced back at his bloodied
face and inhaled deeply, trying to fill her lungs with air when it had become
too difficult to breathe.

“Shh.” Was all he managed to get out before Hammons was behind
them, barking orders. “Where are the others?” he demanded, placing zip ties
around William’s wrists.