Chapter 4 4

Jenelle let out a high-pitched shriek, twisting her arm in Annelise's grip.

"Let go of me! You crazy bitch! Assault! Help!"

The paparazzi went wild. This was better than a fashion shot. This was a catfight. The flashes turned into a strobe light effect, blinding and disorienting.

"Get her off me!" Jenelle screamed at her bodyguards.

Two massive men in suits stepped forward, their hands reaching for Annelise.

"Mom!" Blace yelled, stepping in front of Annelise.

Annelise realized the danger instantly. She shoved Jenelle away, sending the woman stumbling back in her high heels.

"Run," Annelise ordered the kids.

She scooped Clemie up into her arms, grabbed the handle of the rolling bag, and bolted toward the nearest exit-a corridor leading to the restrooms.

"Get them!" Jenelle screeched behind them. "Don't let them get away! I want them arrested!"

Annelise sprinted down the hallway, her breath tearing at her throat. She ducked into the alcove leading to the family restroom. It was a dead end, but it offered momentary cover.

She put Clemie down. The little girl was sobbing, her face buried in the teddy bear.

"It's okay, shh, it's okay," Annelise panted, wiping sweat from her forehead. Her hands were shaking. Adrenaline was flooding her system, making her knees weak.

"I need... I need a second," Annelise gasped. She felt sick. The confrontation had brought back too many memories of being powerless. She pointed to the restroom door. "I'm going to wash my face. Stay right here. Do not move. Algernon, watch the door."

Algernon nodded. "The camera angle here is blind. We are unobserved."

"Good. Give me ten seconds."

Annelise pushed into the restroom, splashing cold water on her face, trying to stop the world from spinning.

Outside in the hallway, the triplets stood in a defensive triangle.

Jenelle rounded the corner. She had shaken off the press but brought her two bodyguards. Her face was twisted in an ugly sneer.

She saw the three children standing alone.

"Well, well," Jenelle said, smoothing her fur vest. "Mommy left you? Coward."

She walked up to them, looming over Clemie. "You ruined my shot, you little rat."

Jenelle raised her foot and stomped hard on Clemie's teddy bear, grinding the heel of her stiletto into the fabric.

Clemie screamed.

Blace didn't say a word. His eyes went dark, the pupils dilating until the blue was almost gone.

He reached into the pocket of his cargo shorts. He pulled out a large, heavy glass marble. It was a "steelie"-a ball bearing encased in glass.

"Hey, lady," Blace said.

Jenelle looked up. "What?"

Blace flicked his thumb.

The marble flew through the air with terrifying velocity. It struck Jenelle squarely on the kneecap, right on the sensitive nerve cluster.

Crack.

Jenelle's scream was bloodcurdling. Her leg buckled instantly, and she collapsed to the floor, clutching her knee.

"My leg! You broke my leg!"

The bodyguards lunged. "You little-"

Blace didn't retreat. As the first bodyguard reached for him, Blace dropped to the ground, sliding between the man's legs like a baseball player stealing home.

As he slid, he pulled a small paper packet from his other pocket and clapped his hands together.

A cloud of fine, white powder exploded into the air.

It was a mixture of ground white pepper and dried chili flakes-Clemie's special "bad dog" recipe.

The bodyguards inhaled it.

Instantly, they were incapacitated. They doubled over, coughing violently, tears streaming down their faces, sneezing uncontrollably.

"My eyes! I can't see!" one of them yelled.

Blace stood up, dusted off his knees, and looked down at Jenelle, who was writhing on the floor.

"Don't touch the bear," Blace said calmly. He picked up the dirty teddy bear, dusted it off, and handed it back to a stunned Clemie.

"Apologize," Blace demanded of Jenelle.

"I'm going to kill you!" Jenelle sobbed.

"Wrong answer." Blace reached into his pocket again.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from the main terminal. The sound of expensive leather shoes hitting the tile with authority.

But the footsteps weren't coming closer. They were outside, by the curb. A car door slammed shut with a heavy, final thud.

Someone was here. Someone who didn't need to enter the building to command it.