Something to Curse About by Gayla Drummond Read Free Book Online

laying it on the ground before Stannett.
    Before he could speak, I teleported again. Mike Chapman’s mouth dropped open, his dark blue eyes wide as I punched him square in the nose. He released Sean and staggered back a half-step. “Sit down!”
    All of the kids dropped like rocks at my shout, and I moved backward while raising my hands, my knees shaking enough that I almost fell down. “I know you didn’t want to hurt them, Mike. This isn’t your fault. Everything’s going to be okay.”
    I hoped I wasn’t lying to him as two SWAT members rushed up and took him down.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    A pair of black dress shoes appeared at the foot of the stairs, where I’d sat until the rest of my adrenalin shakes faded. Dropping my hands, I lifted my head and met Stannett’s faded blue eyes. The lines at the corners of his eyes relaxed after a few seconds of surveying me. “I came over here to read you the riot act for acting without permission. But it doesn’t look like it’s necessary.”
    “Are all the kids okay? Their teachers?”
    “Yes, and so is Mr. Chapman. He’s strapped down to a gurney to keep him from doing anything else.”
    I sighed, briefly closing my eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you to say go, but I’m not sorry it worked.”
    “I’m not sorry it worked either.” He squatted, resting his wrists on his knees. “But I’m going to make it damn clear, here and now, that any time in the future you’re on a scene with my people, you wait for the word from me or whoever’s in charge, Jones. Acting without thinking everything through, and not everyone knowing the plan, can lead to people being hurt or dying.”
    A simple nod was all I offered. He was being a lot nicer about it than I’d been to myself, after they’d hauled off Chapman and I had a few minutes to think about things. I couldn’t even find it in me to point out he’d been willing to kill the guy, when Chapman wasn’t at fault for anything except being a victim himself.
    Maybe if he’d threatened to arrest me, or to stop using me as a special consultant, I could’ve dredged up a little righteous indignation. But he hadn’t, and I wasn’t feeling very righteous. More like a little sick to my stomach, and a whole lot of relieved.
    The police chief studied my expression for a solid minute, before standing and offering me a hand up. “I think your mother wants to talk to you.”
    “Betty’s my step-mother.” I made it to my feet with his help, and blinked away a bout of dizziness as we let go of each other’s hand.
    “Are you all right?” Stannett frowned. “You look pale.”
    I didn’t want to admit how shaky I still felt over my actions. “Yeah, I’m just a little tired. Teleporting kind of takes it out of me.”
    We began walking toward the vehicles. Once we reached them, I braced against Sean’s charge and leap. “Whoa!”
    His hug nearly choked me. “I knew when I saw you everything was gonna be okay.”
    Dear God, please never, ever let me fail him . I looked at Betty over his shoulder. She wore a smile, but her lips were trembling. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine now,” she said, coming closer before reaching out to touch Sean’s back. “He’s safe.”
    I squeezed my brother while what she wasn’t saying thumped into my brain with all the power of a speeding train. I’ve been so scared of her, and she saved him, the other kids, and even that man. I don’t know what to say to her. How can I repay her for saving Sean’s life?
    Betty’s hand slipped down, her fingertips touching my arm, and she whispered, “Thank you.”
    I smiled. We stood there for a few minutes, until Sean wiggled to be let down. Betty’s phone jingled and she pulled it out of her purse to check. “It’s your father. He’s here.”
    “Let’s go find him.” I held my hand out for Sean to grab, which he did at the same time he took hold of her free hand. We found Dad within a few minutes. He scooped Sean up for a hug,