Into the Storm (46 page)

“
I made Rabbit a sandwich.” Cecilia offered me the plate.

I shook my head. “I don’t think she’ll eat it, Cecilia. She, ah, she wants to be alone right now.” I half-heartedly lifted my own sandwich up and then put it back down. I didn’t have any appetite either.

Cecilia’s hand covered mine. “Today has been a very stressful day for her, Joshua. The shock alone of him showing up here would have unnerved her sufficiently. Never mind all the awful things he said.”

I nodded. “She won’t look at me, Cecilia. I don’t understand why.”

She sighed. “I have a suspicion as to why, Joshua.” She stood up. “I’m going to go and take her this.” I watched her pick up the sandwich and go down the hall.

Pushing my plate away, I stood up. Daniel was on the phone and I could hear him making the arrangements at the hospital for Lizzy the next day. Trevor was looking out the window. Adam was upstairs, his fingers busy on the laptop and his Bluetooth getting a workout. I heard ‘restraining order’ and knew he was moving full steam ahead. “Where’s Frank?” I asked.

Trevor looked at me. “Having a nap.”

“
A nap?”

He nodded.

“
We doubt he’ll return, Joshua. He knows the truth is out there now. The gate is locked and you have the security cameras on, but we just want to make sure and be prepared. Frank and Adam are staying behind. They’ll take turns being awake and alert until tomorrow. One of them will stay behind when you go to the hospital with Lizzy tomorrow.” He paused. “You are planning on going with her, right?”

I looked at him. It hadn’t even occurred to me I wouldn’t be. Beside her was exactly where I would be, no matter where it was. No matter how hard it was to do it, I was going with her. I nodded.

“
How do we know he’s not just pulled off somewhere down the road?” I wondered out loud. I was startled when I felt Adam’s huge hand settle on my shoulder. For someone so large, he was remarkably quiet.

He chuckled. “Let’s just say Brian James isn’t the only one who knows about tracking devices, Joshua.”

I gaped at him. “You planted something on him?”

Adam shook his head. “Tsk, Joshua. I am an officer of the court. That would be illegal. I wasn’t the one who made sure he had enough strength to get in the truck and helped to hoist him up.”

I looked at him, noticing the twinkle in his eye. “Frank?” I asked.

He waggled his eyebrows at me and shrugged. “I have it on good authority that the truck left the property and has yet to stop. My educated
guess
is they are heading to the airport and are planning on leaving directly from there.”

His face turned serious. “How is Lizzy?”

I shook my head. “Broken.”

Daniel came over. “Give her time, Joshua. Today was a massive shock and she was already struggling. Everything is set for tomorrow. I’ll meet you at ten. Just let her be for today. She may act out of character or she may rebound quickly and seem okay later. But let her feel what she is feeling.”

I nodded in understanding.

He moved forward and looked at me. “I suggest you get some rest yourself. You look like shit.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “Is that your medical opinion? Or just a friendly observation?”

He chuckled. “Both. Do you want me to look at your leg?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s just strained. I’ll take some painkillers and soak it in the tub.”

Beside me, Adam laughed lowly. “It’s not used to you using it as a weapon, Joshua? I have to say, that was a rather impressive display out there. Remind me not to get you angry with me.”

I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. I’m afraid I’ve frightened Rabbit now. He was just so fucking …” my voice trailed off as I searched for the right word.

“
Vile.” Adam finished for me.

I nodded.

“
He deserved what he got. And then some, in my opinion. You were defending her, Joshua. She knows that. I think she is just reacting to the entire fucked-up situation here. I highly doubt she is frightened of you,” Adam offered in comfort.

Daniel nodded. “I agree; her body language was that of emotional pain, not fear, Joshua. Give her some time to process what happened. Talk to her.”

I smiled grimly at both of them. “I will.”

I heard Cecilia come down the hall and I turned, watching her go to the sink with an uneaten sandwich and the glass of milk she had taken to Rabbit. I grimaced, knowing she hadn’t been able to get Rabbit to eat anything. I left the others discussing the plans for the rest of the day and went over to Cecilia. She looked up as I approached and I saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes.

I grabbed her arm. “What? What did she say?”

She looked at me and shook her head. “I got her to talk to me a little, Joshua. I won’t break her confidence. Be patient. She’ll tell you.” Her voice lowered. “She’s going to need some support that only you can give her.”

“
She’ll have it, no matter what,” I insisted.

Cecilia smiled. “I know that, Joshua, it’s just sometimes a woman needs … reassurance, okay? What might seem insignificant to one person can be … devastating to someone else.”

I was confused. But I nodded anyway.

I stood in the kitchen after having been in the hot tub, the pain in my leg lessened from the pills and the heat. Adam was upstairs, talking and typing. I could hear the muted sounds of Frank’s snores from the other side of the house where he was sleeping. Cecilia, Trevor and Daniel had left. I blinked, feeling how heavy my eyes were. Daniel was right. I was tired. Between the emotion of the past couple of days and the effects of the painkillers, I was having a hard time staying awake.

Quietly, I made my way down the hall and slipped into the bedroom. Rabbit was still curled up under the blanket. The late afternoon sun was around the front of the house, leaving the bedroom bathed in a dim light. Sighing, I crawled onto the bed; desperately wanting to feel Rabbit close to me but unsure if she would want that right now. Tentatively, my hand reached out and stroked her hair that lay across the pillow, softly caressing her head and down into the thick tresses. She sighed and rolled over, fitting herself against me. I smiled in relief as one hand found its usual purchase on my shirt, anchoring herself to me. My arms wrapped around her, drawing her closer, and she burrowed into my chest and quietly breathed my name. I nuzzled my face into her fragrant smelling hair and finally allowed myself to relax. I drifted into sleep surrounded by her warmth.

The room had darkened into early twilight when my eyes opened again. I looked down and was immediately caught in the vivid gaze of Rabbit’s stare. Leaning down, I grazed her lips with mine.

“
Hi,” I said warily.

Her answering smile was timid, her eyes troubled. Frowning, I cupped her cheek. “Tell me. Please. Did I frighten you, Rabbit?”

Her eyes widened. “No. You defended me. I know you didn’t plan that, Joshua.
I also know it’s not in your nature to be violent with another person.”

I nodded in relief. “Tell me then. What is it?”

She regarded me guardedly. “It seems to me that I’m a lot of trouble,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Are you sure … I’m worth it?”

I stared at her aghast.

Was she worth it?

Before I could answer her, she continued. “I don’t have anything to offer you.”

“
Stop it.” My voice was firm. “Rabbit, did you not hear me out there? You are
everything
to me. I will do anything for you. You don’t have anything to offer? You have given me more in the short time I’ve known you than you realize. You have brought so much to my life. Look at what I overcame because of your love and support. Please, don’t question how vital you are to me now.”

“
But am I … enough?”

I stared at her unable to figure out what she was saying. “Enough?” I repeated.

Her eyes looked away. “Am I enough … good enough for you … everywhere, Joshua?”

Now I was totally lost.

“
Rabbit, I need you to tell me what you’re thinking. What are you trying to ask me?”

She spoke so quietly I could barely hear her. “I know I don’t have much experience in some areas, do I … satisfy you, Joshua?”

My eyes widened in sudden, painful understanding. Two things crashed into my brain at the same time. The sneering comments Brian made and Cecilia’s quiet ‘women need reassurance.’ Brian had publicly degraded and humiliated her. Rabbit was questioning her ability to satisfy me sexually.

I stared down at her in disbelief. She could even question herself? After all we had shared? The passion she ignited in me? It was so ludicrous I wanted to laugh, but I could see the pain and doubt in her eyes.

I sighed sadly. Just as my words had hit the mark with Brian, his degrading ones had found a way inside her head.

I thought back, remembering our first time. Rabbit’s tentativeness in returning my kisses, her hesitancy to touch me, how her hands had trembled and fumbled the first few times we had been together. But it had been endearing, her passion had been warming and she had responded so eagerly. She was a warm, giving lover.

“
Rabbit,” I began soothingly, leaning down close, my fingers stroking her cheek. “You are more than enough.” My fingers lifted her chin. “The way you respond to me? The way you make me feel? There aren’t enough words, Rabbit, to express what you do to me, body
and
mind.”