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.”
Brian regarded Adam for a moment. “She’s not worth it,” he muttered and, shrugging, he turned around.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I hissed.
In an instant, he turned and lunged, his greedy hands reaching out for Rabbit. I reacted, pushing her back towards Daniel and tackling James down to the ground. All around me there was movement and gasps of surprise and shock, along with Bear’s angry snarls. I stared down at him, rage seeping through me as I looked into his cold eyes. I watched him briefly, struggling for air against my arm that was pinned across his throat. I leaned down, pressing harder, glaring at him. My voice was rough. “I told you. You will never touch her again. You will never see her again. Your reign of terror over her is over. Accept it, because it’s not going to change.” I drew in a ragged breath, struggling to keep my promise to Rabbit. “Now, get the fuck off my property … before I do something I may actually regret.”
I pushed myself off him, ignoring the ripple of pain that tore through my leg. Gasping for air, he sat up. I looked around at our odd stand-off. Not once had the men with Brian moved. A glance to my right told me why, though. Frank was standing straight, the butt of the rifle firm on his shoulder and the muzzle pointed straight at them in silent warning. Adam was beside me now and Daniel just behind him, holding a visibly shaking Rabbit upright. Trevor and Cecilia were behind them desperately trying to keep Bear from breaking loose.
I looked down at Brian. “Get up. Leave. Do what Adam said and tell your lawyer to wait for his call.”
I started to turn and stopped, watching him struggle to his feet. “Don’t you dare destroy anything of hers. Have someone pack up her books and get the boxes of her parents’ belongings out of her closet. I don’t want your hands touching what belongs to her. Adam will instruct your lawyer where to send them.”
Turning, I met Rabbit’s eyes and the shamed and fearful look in them pierced my soul. She had done nothing to be ashamed of.
Without thinking, I spoke, my hand reaching out to her. “It’s okay, Rabbit. It’s over.”