Damned and Cursed (Book 6): Broken Home by Glenn Bullion Page B

had to, honey.   I didn't hurt them, I promise.   This was something I had to do.   It's about power.   We were never going to have to worry about anything again."   Ed glared at Byron.   "This is all your fault.   You ruined everything!"
    Ed's expression turned into an unrecognizable mess.   Rage and pain, mixed with hate.   He raised the knife and charged Byron.   Byron stepped to the side, avoiding the clumsy attack, and stabbed Ed in the shoulder.   He fell to the floor, his chin slamming the nearby pew.
    Frank moved the gun from Janet to Byron, wanting to take one last shot.
    Janet reached back and grabbed Frank's testicles, like she'd done earlier with Byron.   Frank's reaction was far different.   The sheriff howled and released her.   A shot rang out, which buzzed Byron's head and struck the wall behind him.   She grabbed Frank's arm and bit down.   Her teeth clenched together as she tasted blood.   Frank tried to attack her with his free hand.   He'd hit her twice before something cut the air next to Janet's head.   Frank went still, the fight completely leaving him.   He fell at her feet, and Janet looked down to see a knife protruding from Frank's eye, his mouth open.   Janet had to lean against the pew in front of her to steady her knees.
    The church was quiet, except for the flickering of the candles.   She wanted to believe that was a good thing, but she didn't know what to believe anymore.
    Byron stood over Ed, an amused smile on his face.   Turning his back, he walked over to his cup, still laying on its side on the floor.   He held it upside down to let the remaining blood drain from it.
    "He's alive," he said, standing over Ed once again.   "You're right.   Once you divorce him, take everything he has, he gets fucked in the ass in prison a few times…he'll wish he was dead."
    Janet wasn't sure if she should thank him or not.
    "T-Thank—"
    "Don't thank me," he interrupted.   "You don't know where I was aiming."
    Her senses returned to her.   Dropping down to her knees, she searched Frank's body while trying not to look at the knife sticking out of his face.   Byron said nothing else.   He simply watched her while admiring his cup.
    She found the key in one of his belt pockets.   Her legs never moved quicker as she ran back to the office.   The children perked up.
    "Mommy!" Elizabeth asked.   "Are you okay?"
    "I'm fine," she said, hugging both of them.   "Let's get out of here."
    "We heard some weird noises," Sarah said.   "Were they…monsters?"
    Janet froze for a moment and met Sarah's gaze.   That was a very good question.
    She freed Elizabeth, and the girl immediately threw her arms around her mother's neck.   Gently setting her aside, Janet reached for Sarah's wrist.
    "Mrs. Fields, can you move your head?" Mark asked.   "I want to see the dead bodies."
    Janet glared at Mark, not quite believing her ears.   Mark stood up as far as the handcuffs would allow, trying to peer over Janet's head.   There was only curiosity in his eyes.
    "Is my mom dead, too?"
    His voice lacked any emotion.   He asked the question with the same enthusiasm as wondering when dinner would be ready.
    "Mom," Sarah said, shaking her arm.   "Unlock this stupid thing."
    Janet snapped out of her trance and freed Sarah.   She'd just finished with Mark when a man appeared in the rear office doorway.
    "Don't move!"
    She looked up to see Paul, the sheriff's deputy.   Janet and Paul had dated briefly in junior high school.   He stood with his arms outstretched, both hands on his revolver.   Janet looked up to see the weapon pointed at her.   If she never saw a gun again, she would be fine with that.
    "Don't shoot!" she shouted, putting her hands up.   "Paul!   It's me, Janet!"
    "Janet?"   He lowered his weapon, but was still cautious.   "What the hell is going on here?   People all over the neighborhood are talking about gunfire."
    She didn't have the slightest clue on where to begin.   The