Into the Storm (41 page)

There was nothing else I could say that would make this easier or better. She needed to let the pain out and I would hold her while she fell apart.

Then I would pick up the pieces and help put her back together.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Joshua

Eventually, Rabbit’s tears ended. I gathered her close to my chest and walked down the hall to the bedroom, her body wilting and soft in my arms. Carefully, I sat her on the bed and went to get a damp cloth. When I returned, the sight of her sagging shoulders, gently rounded into her frame caused my heart to ache once again. She looked so broken. I shook my head. Not anymore.

I knelt in front of her and gently lifted her face, lightly stroking over her tear-stained skin, wiping away the remains of her painful sobbing. Her eyes remained closed, and the only sound coming from her was the shaky, stuttering breaths that came after such an emotional outburst. I stood and grabbed two fresh shirts from the top of the dresser, making sure one of them was especially soft. “Arms up, Rabbit,” I said quietly.

Her eyes opened and my heart clenched at the pain that still lingered but was pleased to see her shaky arms rise. I quickly pulled the damp shirt over her head and pulled the soft shirt back down over her torso. Then I did the same to my own shirt. Leaning down, I smiled gently at her. “It’s not pink, Rabbit, but it’s my second favourite color on you.”

She looked down at her fingers plucking at the soft material on her arm. “Grey?” she whispered, her voice raspy from crying.

I shook my head. “No,
me
. Any shirt of mine that you’re wearing instantly becomes my favorite color on you,” I grinned and stroked her cheek.

And, there it was. I was rewarded with her shy smile for my corniness. Although tremulous, it was still a smile. I returned it with one of my own before leaning down and placing several tiny kisses on her lips, barely touching them as I whispered ‘love you’ between each one. It was she that pulled me closer and held me near as she answered back. “So
much
, Joshua.”

I pulled her tightly against me.

“
Always, Rabbit. Always.”

I wanted her to eat, and I needed her close. I scooped her up and carried her to the kitchen and sat her on the countertop. “What are you doing?” she asked, obviously puzzled.

“
I promised I’d cook dinner, so that’s what I’m going to do.” I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “And, then you’re going to eat. Understand?”

She looked over at the clock. “Isn’t it a bit late for dinner?”

I smiled. “We don’t have to follow
any
rules here, Rabbit. If we want to eat steak at,” I squinted over her shoulder looking at the clock, “9:45 p.m., then we can.” I winked at her.

“
Can I help, at least?”

“
Can you whip up one of your pies in half an hour?” I grinned.

She shook her head. “I will tomorrow. Any kind you like.”

I pretended to think. “Hmmm … hard choice, apple or blueberry … apple or blueberry ...
or maybe … one of each
?” I looked at her, wide-eyed and grinning, hoping to keep her distracted and smiling.

“
Done.”

“
Then you have the night off.” I handed her a glass of wine, and turned on the indoor grill to heat up. I kept talking, telling her some amusing stories of Bear and his antics while she was gone. I desperately wanted to give her a little normalcy after her breakdown. There was so much we still had left to talk about, more painful memories she had left to share, but for tonight it was enough. I relented and let her stir-fry some vegetables to have with the steak and soon we were sitting down to eat. I purposely put only a small piece of steak on her plate but was pleased to see her eat it, although it happened very slowly. She barely touched her wine. Baby steps, I reminded myself. I had to let her get comfortable again.

After dinner, we sat on the sofa, hands clasped. I drew in a deep breath. “So Cecilia and Trevor are going to be here tomorrow. Probably just before lunch.”

“
Okay.”

“
They’re bringing someone else with them,” I added, unsure if she was ready for this.

She looked at me. “Oh? Frank?”

I nodded. “Yeah, Frank will be with them as well. But also an associate of Trevor’s.”

“
An associate?”

“
His name is Adam Green. He’s a lawyer and a friend of Trevor’s.” I paused. “He practices family law, Rabbit. And, he specializes in cases that involve abuse.”

I watched her intently for a reaction. At first, there was nothing and then her eyes flew to mine in panic. Her hand gripped mine tightly and I felt the instant trembling in her body.

I set down my wine glass and pulled her onto my lap. “Hey, hush. Stop, Rabbit. It’s okay. He’s just coming as a favor. To talk. Just to talk about your options. Please, baby, stay calm.” I ran my hands over her back before encasing her in my arms, frightened that the trembles had turned into shudders.

“
What’s going to happen next, Joshua? What if he comes after me?” She drew back, her eyes wide and frightened. “What if he comes after
you
?” She sounded almost hysterical.

I gripped her shoulders. “Listen to me, Rabbit. No one is going to touch you. And no one, least of all Brian James, is coming after me. He’s a fucking bully. But he’s lost all his power, Rabbit. Can’t you see that?”

She shook her head, still lost in her panic.

I tempered my voice. “Rabbit. He kept you isolated and alone. He abused you. But he didn’t count on how incredibly strong and smart you were.”

She looked at me puzzled. “Smart?”

“
You kept evidence of the abuse, Rabbit. You got away. We have proof against him. And, we have the photos I took. He is all about image and what he sees as his rightful place in society. He
won’t
want the photos to be seen.”

I could feel her relaxing. The shudders had stopped, although she was still shaking.

“
I’m sure he realizes your memory must have returned, Rabbit. He may not know how you got away but he knows why.”

She tensed again, the tremors once again picking up.

“
You’re safe here, Rabbit. The tables have turned now.”

“
How?” she whispered.

“
You were alone before. You’re not anymore. You have people who will protect you. Stand up for you. Speak for you, if needed.”

“
You?”

“
Yes. Me. Cecilia. Trevor. Daniel. Frank. And Adam, if you’ll let him. We’re not going to let him get to you. Ever again. We all know what he did, Rabbit. His secret isn’t secret anymore.”

“
What do you have planned?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“
I just want you to meet with Adam. Talk to him. Let him talk to you.”

“
Does he … know?”

“
Yes, he knows, Rabbit. He hasn’t seen the pictures but he knows we have them. Trevor told him the story. He is in agreement. He thinks if he gathers everything together he can go to Brian and his lawyer, and then present the facts and your demands.”

Her brow furrowed. “My demands?”

“
I assume you want a divorce, Rabbit?”

She nodded.

“
Well, whatever else you want. A settlement, perhaps. That’s for you to decide.”

“
I want my books and the boxes of my parent’s things in my closet.”

“
I’m sure we can arrange that, Rabbit. And?”

She looked at me. “Nothing. I don’t want his money. I just want my life back. I’ll get a job and support myself.”

I felt a quiet sense of pride at her words. Of course she didn’t want his money. She didn’t want anything associated with him.

“
Adam will talk to you about your options. He knows the right path for you to follow for that.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.” Her voice was trembling.

“
Okay,” I assured her soothingly. “You can discuss all this with Adam tomorrow, Rabbit. If you don’t like him, we’ll find you someone you do like.”

“
Will you stay with me? While I talk to him?”

“
Of course. Whatever you need to be comfortable.” I drew in a deep breath. “I also asked Daniel to come see you tomorrow, Rabbit. I would feel better if he checked you over.”

“
My headaches are better, Joshua. Once I got my memory back, the other ones I had I knew were from tension. I know my appetite is off and I’m tired. It’s just all from stress. Really, I’m fine.”

“
Please, Rabbit?” I squeezed her hands. “For me. Let me be overprotective and do this for me.”

She sighed in resignation. “If it makes you feel better, then fine, Joshua, but the doctor I saw there didn’t seem too concerned with anything.”

I snorted. “I know you saw someone, Rabbit. I don’t think you had a proper examination and I doubt he had your best interests at heart. He needs to be brought up on charges as well.”

Her voice became so quiet that I had to strain to hear her. “Brian took me to the same doctor he always took me to when he got … angry. His name is Dr. Hammond; I didn’t like him, but that didn’t matter, of course. He never really talked to me, just Brian. He looked me over and gave me a tetanus shot. That was all he did the last time I saw him.”

I was confused. “A tetanus shot?”

She nodded. “I wasn’t sure why. He muttered something about in case I had cut myself on something.” She looked at me warily. “I wasn’t really allowed to ask many questions. He gave me the shot before I even knew it was happening.” Her hand went to the back of her neck. “It itched for days.”

I kept my voice even. “Let me see, please.”

She turned and pulled down the neck of the shirt. Leaning forward, I could see an indent where a needle had been inserted into her skin just below the base of her neck. I rubbed it gently, frowning at its thickness. I wasn’t a doctor, but I knew that wasn’t the spot for a tetanus shot. Not wanting to scare her any further, I leaned forward and nuzzled the mark with my lips.

“
Sloppy job.” I shrugged, after pulling the shirt back up and turning her around. My mind was racing and I knew I had to ask Daniel what they could have injected her with. Was that what was making her unwell? “Maybe Daniel can give you something for the itch. He’ll check you over and he has the name for a local woman doctor at the hospital you can see from now on. But he knew I was concerned so he agreed to come see you tomorrow.”