Into the Storm (44 page)

I nodded and started to speak when Bear suddenly tore down the hall, growling loudly. Then he launched himself at the window, barking furiously, deep snarling growls issuing from his throat in between the loud barks. We all stood up in unison and Trevor went over to the window.

“
Fuck. Frank, didn’t you shut the gate when you got here? Joshua, you still have that shotgun around?”

My stomach tightened at his tone.

“
Yeah.”

“
You might want to get it. Brian James and his henchmen are standing out front.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Joshua

A gasp came from behind me. I turned and saw Rabbit standing in the hall. Her hand was covering her mouth and her body was shaking violently. I held out my hand. “Come here, Rabbit.” I turned to Frank. “The gun’s in the mudroom closet. Bullets are on the shelf.”

As soon as she was close, I wrapped my arms around her. “You are safe. I promise you. You are surrounded by people here who will protect you. Nothing,
nothing
is going to hurt you,” I said firmly. Then, I cupped her face. “Nobody is taking you away from me. Understand?” She nodded, and I carefully wiped the tears away from her skin.

“
How did he find me?” Her voice trembled.

I fingered the mark on her neck. I looked at Daniel. He nodded and shrugged. “I think … I think this is a tracking device chip, Rabbit.”

Her hand flew up to the back of her neck and she became impossibly paler.  Then I watched in horror as she began frantically clawing at her neck. 

“
Get it out! Get it out!” Her voice was high and sharp as her fingernails drew blood.

“
Rabbit!”

“
Get it out of me!”

My hand shot up, clamping down on her wrist, trying to stop her before she could do any more damage to her skin, but she pushed my hand away.

“
NO! Get it out!” She was sobbing now, tears streaming down her cheeks as her fingers scrabbled and scratched at the chip beneath her skin. I reached for her hands again, pressing them down to her sides this time and then wrapping my arms around her.

“
Stop! Stop it! Rabbit!”

“
Get it out of me!” She struggled against me and I held her tighter. “Let go!” she yelled.

“
No!” I yelled back. “I won't let you hurt yourself, Rabbit. I won't!”

At last it seemed my voice got through to her. She stopped struggling, her sobs slowed and her body slumped against mine.

“
What did he do to me?” she whimpered. I couldn't answer her, not able to trust my own voice to be calm. I didn't want her to hear the fury I could feel boiling within me. I was struggling to keep my anger at Brian under control and I didn't want Lizzy to think that anger was directed at her. 

I took a slow, deep breath and made sure my tone was soft, and then reached up to cover the bleeding spot with my hand, holding her tightly. “We’ll get it out, Rabbit. We will. I promise you.”

“
Joshua ...?” Trevor’s voice was quiet. I knew he was drawing my attention to our unwelcome guests outside, but right at that moment, Rabbit was my priority. I held up my hand, letting him know I'd heard, but my eyes stayed on the distraught woman in my arms.

Pressed against me, Rabbit’s breathing was calming, her sobs coming to a slow stop. I kissed the top of her head. “I promise you Rabbit, we’ll get it out. As soon as we can.”

She nodded against me. “Good,” she whispered. “I want it gone. I want
him
gone.”

“
We're working on that right now, Rabbit.” I smiled grimly and ran my fingers along her cheek.

“
Joshua?” Trevor’s voice came again and I looked toward the window, watching that bastard James, as he came closer.

“
I'm going to take care of him now, Rabbit. You go back into the bedroom. Take Bear with you.”

She shook her head. “No. I can’t, Joshua … don’t make me go sit alone. Please. I need to be with you.”

I looked down at her pleading eyes. I looked over at Adam and Daniel, who were standing close. I could hear Frank loading the gun and Trevor trying to calm Bear while watching out the window. Daniel inclined his head slightly towards me. I looked down at Lizzy. “You don’t leave Daniel’s side, do you understand? You. Don’t. Move.”

She nodded and I leaned down and kissed her softly. Cecilia handed me my parka and I wrapped it around Rabbit. I looked over at Adam. “Ready to start earning your retainer?”

He flashed me an evil smile, his facial expression serious and stern. Suddenly, I saw the brutal lawyer that went after abusive spouses. Frank stepped out of the mudroom. “Locked and loaded,” he growled.

I threw Bear’s lead at Trevor and heard the click as he snapped it on his collar.

I straightened my shoulders. Today was the day Brian James was removed from Rabbit’s life for good.

“
Let’s show that asshole who he’s dealing with.”

Adam and I walked out first, Frank following. My eyes narrowed and I enjoyed watching the reaction as James took in the sight of Adam, and then Frank casually holding the rifle to his side. He certainly wasn’t expecting either of those imposing men. His own eyes narrowed as he took in the familiar sight of Daniel, Cecilia and Trevor. His mouth lifted in a sneer as I saw him focus on Lizzy. He had advanced forward, but the other two men remained standing by their truck. I could clearly hear Bear’s low, fierce growls behind me and I hoped Trevor had a tight hold of his lead. I wouldn’t mind Bear injuring
him
, but I certainly didn’t want Bear hurt.

“
You’re trespassing. Get off my property,” I snarled.

Brian laughed snidely. “Ah, you’re the mystery owner. Not until I get
my
property back.”

“
I have nothing of
yours
.”

His hand lifted and pointed to Rabbit.

“
You have my wife.”

“
She certainly isn’t your
property
. Nor is she your wife.”

“
I have a marriage license that says differently.”

Adam stepped forward. “Not for long.”

“
Who the fuck are you?” Brian snapped.

“
I am Lizzy’s legal counsel. I suggest you get in your car and leave the property,
immediately.
Advise your lawyer to be expecting a call from me.”

Brian began to walk forward again. “Get in the fucking car, Elizabeth. I’ll deal with you later. I have no idea what you have been telling these people to get them to band around you. Or how the fuck you got them to come get you.” His gaze turned back to us. “But let me assure all of you, she isn’t stable.”

Behind me I heard Rabbit’s frightened whimper, and Bear’s low growls turned into loud, angry snaps of his jaws.

I extended my hand behind me in a comforting gesture to both of them as I stepped forward. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the scum that was currently spoiling my yard. Adam stepped forward with me and I heard the unmistakable sound of the rifle being cocked.

“
Stop, right
fucking
now,” Frank spoke in a low deadly tone.

I stared at Brian with all the loathing and anger I felt bubbling up inside me. “You will never
deal
with her again. You will not come near her. You will not touch her. Ever again. She is perfectly stable, no thanks to you. And, she has recovered her memory. It’s over, James.”

“
She’s lying,” he denied quickly.

“
If you don’t know what she said then how do you know? Lying about what?”

“
Everything. She is lying about everything. She’s mentally unstable. She can’t tell delusion from reality. She’s on medication.”

I shook my head. “Only the unnecessary medication you forced on her. And guess what? She choked most of them back up. And, as for her
tetanus shot
? Bad idea, James. Just another piece of evidence for her lawyer to use against you.”

For a few seconds, he looked uncomfortable. But, he recovered quickly. “I had to do that. She’s given to wild accusations and wandering off. This isn’t the first time she’s made up some crazy story. I only had that put in so I could find her and stop her from spreading malicious lies.”

I heard Rabbit’s horrified gasp behind me. I’d had enough. “Stop demeaning her,” I roared. “She is
not
unstable, you miserable excuse for a human being. Nor is she lying! The only unstable person around here is you. Now get the fuck off my property.”

“
I’m calling the police. You’re holding my wife against her will,” he bluffed.

I laughed. “Call them. Get them out here.”

I was shocked when I heard Rabbit speak up and then felt her hand slip into mine. Her voice was frightened but I could hear the determination in it.

“
He isn’t holding me against my will, Brian. You know that. That’s what you did. I’m not coming with you. I’m staying here with Joshua.”

I looked down at her, squeezing her hand for support, wanting to be angry that she had ignored my instructions, but unable to do so. I knew she needed to do this; to stand up to her abuser just once. I could feel the tremors going through her body and I knew what an effort she was making right at this moment. Her shoulders straightened. “I want a divorce.”

“
No.”

Adam stepped forward. In his hand was a copied montage of the pictures I had taken of Rabbit’s injuries. “I think you may want to change your mind about fighting this, Mr. James.”

Brian stepped forward and tore the sheet out of his hand. He studied it for a minute and looked up at us. Rage was rolling off him in waves and his stance was menacing. I watched his hand crumple the paper up into a ball as he stared. Rabbit cowered into my side and, gently, I pushed her behind me, keeping my hand on her the whole time.

“
It’s over, Mr. James,” Adam stated in a strong voice. “This is only a small piece of the evidence we have of your abuse toward your wife.”

“
You fucking bitch,” Brian seethed.

“
If you have something to say to my client, you will address her respectfully or not address her at all. Am I clear on that?” snarled Adam, stepping forward. “Get in your car. Leave. Do it.
Now
.”