Read Online Mammon by J. B. Thomas - Free Book Online Page A

trembling.
    Dad picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear. He waited for a bit before throwing it down. ‘For God’s sake, Diana! Where are you?’
    He stalked into the kitchen. His wife, bent over a first-aid box, looked up with frightened eyes. She rose and reached out for him with a trembling whisper. ‘Danny.’
    His eyes clouded over. ‘I don’t want to face it, Suse. I can’t.’
    â€˜I’m scared for Joe.’
    â€˜So am I.’ He squeezed her shoulders, his breath coming in shudders.
    She began shaking her head. ‘If anything happens to him . . .’ Tears emerged. She blinked them away and glanced in the direction of her children.
    â€˜Don’t let them see you upset,’ her husband said. ‘Come on. I’ll pack, you stay here with the kids. I’ll keep trying Diana. The sooner we get her, the sooner we’ll know they’re both safe.’
    * * *
    GRACE WATCHED ANXIOUSLY as Mum swept back in with bandages and an icepack. Dad had walked past and given her a small smile. Mum pulled over a low stool, lifted Grace’s leg and started to wrap the bandage around her daughter’s ankle. Grace gazed at Mum’s face; a safety pin was clenched in between her mother’s teeth. ‘What’s going on?’
    Mum removed the pin from her mouth.‘We’re going to fix your ankle.’ She looked up at Joe. ‘Come away from the window now. It wasn’t your fault, son.’
    Joe grunted. ‘Tell that to the driver’s family.’ He turned around. ‘Come on, Mum. Something’s going on here.’
    Mum continued bandaging the ankle in silence. She peered at the ceiling. Upstairs, her husband was rummaging through wardrobes for suitcases. By this time tomorrow, they’d be in the south.
    â€˜We’re going away for a few days, kids,’ Mum said suddenly.
    Grace grimaced as Mum tightened the bandage. ‘Where are we going?’
    â€˜To stay with your aunt. No, keep your ankle elevated. You’ll feel better in a few hours.’
    * * *
    HAURES RACED UP the stairs and into the bedroom. ‘What the hell went wrong? Damn it!’
    She froze. At the window, the boss’s shoulders were tense, his fists clenched. She backed away and sank onto the bed.
    Mammon looked at Andras. ‘We need to act now.’
    â€˜Yes, Master. I’ve got men ready to go.’ Andras glanced at the biker. ‘You can leave.’ He pulled his phone from his pocket.
    â€˜Don’t you care about your girl here? She busted her leg . . .’ The biker did a double take as Haures stretched out both legs on the bed. He scratched his head, eyes drifting to Andras. ‘Look, uh . . . I don’t know what game you people are playing here, but I want compensation for my bike.’ He pressed his lips together and squared his shoulders.
    Andras shook his head. ‘Get out.’ He flicked through his contacts, searching for a number.
    â€˜No dice. I let your bitch crash my Harley. Now pay me.’
    Haures stood up, scowling. ‘Did this maggot just say what I think he did?’ She then threw Andromalius an incredulous grin.
    The biker turned to the quiet man standing near the window. Surely he’d be reasonable? But, to be sure, he walked over to the man and poked him in the chest. ‘I want my bike replaced, and payment . . .’
    Mammon lifted the man into the air; squeezing iron fingers against his throat. A satisfying crack sounded as the spinal cord ruptured.
    With a grunt, Mammon kicked the body into the hallway.
    Haures gave him a grateful smile. ‘Thank you, Master.’
    Andras pressed the phone to his ear, his eyes pinned on the boss’s stony face. ‘What about the family?’
    Mammon folded his arms and stared at the house. ‘We need to take everything away from the boy. Kill the parents and the sister. And then I will become Joe’s rock.’
    * *