Into the Storm (36 page)

This morning, after yet another sleepless night, the enormity of what we were about to do had hit me. I was going to get into a helicopter and leave the property. Even the thought caused a sweat to break out on my brow and my hands to shake. The plan could go ahead without me; either Cecilia or Trevor could be the person to meet Rabbit in the stairwell but I knew it should be me. I needed to do this for myself and for Rabbit. I needed her to know she meant more to me than a phobia. That I could overcome it for her. For us.

Frank had joined me at the window, holding a cup of coffee. “It’s gonna be fine, Joshua,” he grunted. “I’ve scoped it out, and my people are all in place. It’ll be a walk in the park. I’m gonna give her the card and she is going to walk to the stairwell. My people will be on the other floors, cleaning up all the ‘spills’ and taking care of the problems that have happened to block the stairwells. And since that one can only be accessed after the second floor, it’s rarely used so the chances of anyone being in it are slim anyway. I’ll join you on the roof and off we’ll go.”

I drew in a deep breath and shared my troublesome thoughts. “What if something happens to her schedule? Or there is an emergency helicopter landing for the hospital?”

Frank chuckled. “Well, I doubt the first one is gonna happen. That fucker is so anal; he wouldn’t think to suddenly change her daily routine. He has it set in stone for the next two bloody months. We’ve done everything right, Joshua. We’ve watched her, we know her schedule. We didn’t move too quickly. We’ve planned this carefully. If he did suddenly change something, well let’s just say, I’ve got some backup plans. If there is an emergency, I already have a backup for that as well. Just like the library. We’ve thought it all out, Joshua. One way or another, your little lady is going to be home with you tonight.”

I nodded and looked at him. “What if I can’t do it? What if I can’t get in the chopper or, even worse, can’t get out on the other end?”

Frank took a deep swig of his coffee and looked back at me steadily. “I know your story, Joshua. Think of it this way. This is the easiest fucking way to make yourself do this. You are gonna walk over there,” he indicated the waiting chopper, “and get in. Your pilot is going to fly us out of here and we’ll be gone so fast you won’t have time to panic. And, on the other end, your girl will be there, needing you. If that isn’t enough of an incentive, I’m not sure what is or what could ever be.”

I had looked at him. He was right.

“
If you can’t, I can either sucker-punch you so when you wake up you’re already in the air and have no choice, or I’ll take your feisty little sidekick with me,” he shrugged, chuckling. “Either way, mission accomplished. But if it’s you, then there is one more layer for them to try and figure out since you are basically unknown to them. Another way of ensuring your girl’s safety.”

I nodded grimly. Rabbit. That was the goal. That was what I needed to concentrate on. Not what I couldn’t do, but what I could do. What I
needed
to do. Bring her home.

Then he laughed, clapping his hand on my shoulder.

“
There it is.”

“
What?”

“
That look of determination I need. I can do this without you, Joshua, but with you it will be so much easier. She needs to see you there. And frankly, you need to be there. Cecilia and Trevor will hold down the fort here. My guy will be on Bob’s tail the whole time. He is such an idiot. He has no idea he is being followed or that his accounts have been hacked. For someone in security, he is incredibly lax. Although I suppose for that we should be grateful.”

I stared out the window.

For Rabbit. I could do this for Rabbit.

Rabbit’s eyes suddenly flew open and she struggled in my arms in panic, bringing me back to the present.

I leaned down and spoke in her ear, promising her that she was safe. I stroked her soft cheek and rocked her until she was once again still. “We’ll be home soon, Rabbit,” I reassured her as I smiled down at her. Her sigh was shaky as she snuggled back into my chest. I tightened my arms around her. I looked over at Frank who had watched our quiet exchange with bemusement. He smiled and shook his head at us then leaned back in his seat. I couldn’t help my answering smile. She was in my arms. I had her.

We landed in front of the house and waited until the blades had stopped. Frank got out and I followed, still holding Rabbit. “Let me down, Joshua,” she smiled softly. “I can walk to the door.” I stood her on her feet, but kept her hand clasped in mine. The door opened and Bear came barrelling out past Cecilia and Trevor, barking and making a beeline for Rabbit. “Brace yourself,” I warned, holding out a hand to try and stave off Bear’s advance. Rabbit fell to her knees, opening her arms, and within seconds, was smothered by Bear’s joyous greeting of welcome. Everyone watching laughed as he alternately licked her face and butted his head into her chest for attention, running around her in circles, barking his happiness at seeing her. Finally, he sat down heavily in front of her, flopping his head on her lap, his large paws on either side of her. She bent over him, lovingly stroking him, giving him his own welcome in return. I bent down and patted his head. “Let her up, Bear.” He raised his head and looked at me. “She’s not going anywhere,” I assured him.

Rabbit smiled as she gave him one last neck rub. “No, I’m not.”

I helped her up and she was greeted with hugs from both Cecilia and Trevor. Once inside, we all sat down at the table, Bear huffing and pushing people out of the way to stay close to her, laying his head down on her knees once she sat down. I sat on her other side, my arm still around her, needing the comfort of her touch. She looked across the table at Frank and suddenly smiled. “You’re the janitor!”

He laughed and tipped his baseball cap. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”

She looked around her in amazement. “I didn’t think I would ever be back here,” she said softly, looking at me disbelievingly. I could see her bottom lip was beginning to tremble. Cecilia stood up and extended her hand. “Come with me, Rabbit,” she said kindly. Then she looked at Trevor. “We need to go as soon as I come back. We all need to be in place tonight. Just in case.”

Trevor nodded. Cecilia and Rabbit disappeared down the hall. He stood up. “We’re going to lie low for a couple days, Joshua. We’ll stick to our normal routine. And, I think you need the time alone with Lizzy. We’ll be back just as we planned. I’ll get started on the paperwork we talked about also, and I'll talk to my associate.”

I stood up and looked at both him and Frank. ”I can’t even begin to thank you enough …” my voice trailed off. Trevor waved me off. “We just made a wrong decision right. It’s not over though, Joshua. Getting her back was just the first step. We have to figure out where we go from here.”

“
I know. But not today.”

He nodded. “Not today. Today, enjoy having Lizzy back.”

I nodded, too overcome at the moment to speak.

Rabbit was home.

The chopper took off and I went back into the house. Just knowing Rabbit was inside made the atmosphere seem lighter. I walked into the kitchen and my face broke out into a huge, beaming smile at the sight before me. Gone was the sombre woman dressed in dark, restrictive clothing. Rabbit was standing at the counter in a pair of her leggings and one of my shirts, which hung down low on her thighs, the sleeves rolled up several times to her wrists. Her feet were adorned with my thick socks and her hair fell over her shoulders like a dark satin ribbon. Her sweet face was devoid of any makeup and her smile was shy and filled with warmth. “There’s the girl I love,” I said happily, holding out my arms, enveloping her close to me when she stepped forward. I stood back after a minute, holding her hands. “No more dark suits, Rabbit.”

She squeezed my fingers and shook her head. “No.”

I looked down and saw the ring was gone. I lifted her hand and stared at the angry red welt that wrapped around her slightly swollen finger. I raised my eyes to her face questioningly. “Rabbit?” I asked quietly.

“
It didn’t belong there,” she whispered, echoing my thought earlier. “Cecilia helped me get it off with cold water and soap.”

“
Where is it?”

She shrugged, unconcerned. “I tossed the first one out the car window the day I ran, but I hated this one even more so … um ... I gave it to Cecilia and asked her to drop it out of the helicopter or something. I don’t ever want to see it again.”

I kissed her swollen finger gently and placed her hands on my chest, stroking her arms. “Okay. Good decision.”

I stepped back, squeezing her arms affectionately, and frowned when I saw her wince. I pushed up the sleeves of my shirt and looked up at her, horrified as I saw the dark bruise on her forearm. “He hurt you again. I waited too long,” I breathed painfully, my throat tight. “
Rabbit
…”
My hands pushed up the sleeves further, terrified of what other marks I would see.

Her fingers on my mouth stopped me before I could say anything else. “I’m fine, Joshua. He grabbed me once. You got me before it became worse. Please … don’t. Not tonight. I’m home … tonight is just for being happy … please.”

My hands stilled and I stared into her eyes. They were tired but held so much love and forgiveness in their soft depths. I kissed her fingertips and drew her back to me, cradling her. Leaning down, I kissed her longingly.

“
Happy isn’t a big enough word, Rabbit.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Joshua

Rabbit shivered in my arms. I looked down. “Are you all right?” I asked softly, unsure if she was cold, tired or simply overwhelmed.

She nodded. “I haven’t been sleeping well. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I was so worried about today … so worried I would do something that would ruin whatever you had planned.” Her voice caught. “So worried that the one thing I wanted more than anything wouldn’t happen.”

I leaned down, scooped her up, and headed upstairs. I settled us both in the large chair, throwing the blanket around us. Bear followed closely and lay down by the ottoman. I smiled, knowing he would not be far from Rabbit again for a while.

I looked down into her sweet, tired face, stroking her cheek slowly. I knew we had to have this conversation. I needed her to understand my thoughts and actions.

“
I had to keep you in the dark, Rabbit. I know the subterfuge probably seemed overboard but I couldn’t risk him figuring it out. I couldn’t risk
you
.” I grimaced when I looked down at her arm. I picked up her hand, lifting her arm close and delicately tracing the bruise with my lips. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath.