A biting laugh had me turn. “Rabbit? Oh, that’s fucking rich. Hope you don’t expect her to fuck like one, because she’s the lousiest lay I ever had,” Brian sneered, his voice loud and cruel.
I didn’t remember moving. The first hard punch caught him in the stomach and he stumbled back toward the truck as he was gasping for air. My hand grasped his hair, pulling his face up as the next punch landed square in the middle of his face. I felt the satisfying crunch of bone under my fist and felt the warm rush of blood as it spurted from his nose. As he fell, I grabbed him, forcefully throwing him onto his back on the damp ground as I fell with him, pinning one arm behind him. I smirked grimly as I heard the bone snap at the same time my knee drove agonizingly hard into his groin. I heard his sharp inhale of agony as the pain tore through him from different angles. Behind me, I heard Rabbit’s wail of horror and felt Adam’s arms wrap around my waist, wresting me away from Brian as he rolled onto his side, gasping in pain.
I pulled away from Adam, panting; struggling to calm myself. As much as I wanted to continue to beat him into a bloody, senseless pulp, and didn’t regret my actions, I wouldn’t hit him again. I had promised her, and Rabbit was right. She had already witnessed enough violence and she didn’t need to see it from me as well.
But I wasn’t done with him. I could use my words.
“How does that feel, hmm, James?” I snarled. “To be on the receiving end? I hope it fucking hurts, you worthless piece of humanity. I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen, would you? You will never disrespect her in my presence again. If I hear that you’ve been belittling her anywhere, I’ll fucking come after you. I will destroy you, you insignificant son of a bitch.”
I crouched down on my haunches and stared at him. He glared back through the haze of pain, but I could see the cracks in his armour. Bullies never take on someone their own size. I spoke slowly and without hesitation.
“You may think you’re a big man in your little world, James, but in the real world—out here? You’re nothing. Just another businessman. Out in this world—my words carry weight. Thousands and thousands of people read what I write. You so much as look towards the place where she is or say anything derogatory about her or act like a bigger idiot than I already think you are and try and stop this divorce? I will use my words to let the world know what a pitiful excuse for a human being you are, Brian James.”
I leaned closer, dropping my voice. “I will use every bit of my arsenal to bring you down. My celebrity status, my reputation, my money; everything. I’ll bring a shit storm of press down on you like you have never seen before. And everything; every goddamn twisted act you did to that perfect little person over there will come out. Everything. Your life, your precious reputation, your business will be worthless. No one will come near you.” I leaned closer, my voice venomous. “I don’t think your daddy will be very happy about that.”
I saw the shadow that crossed his face and I knew I’d hit my mark.
I stood up. “You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as she does. Now, for the last fucking time, get off my property.”
I turned and walked over to Daniel. I bent down and swooped Rabbit’s shaking form up into my arms and walked towards the house. She burrowed her face into my chest and I dipped my head to graze her crown with my lips.
Pausing, I turned around. Brian was struggling to get to his feet, his two sidekicks helping him. Blood dripped down his face onto his shirt and his one arm hung uselessly by his side. He was unable to stand up straight and was hunched over against the pain. But his stare was intense and filled with hate. I was stunned as I surveyed how much damage I had inflicted in a short period of time, yet I couldn’t find it in myself to regret my actions. He deserved it. I wasn’t concerned with any backlash from what I’d done to him; he knew the consequences if he ever talked. I met his glare steadily and I sneered at him meaningfully; he didn’t look so tough now. I held Rabbit tighter, knowing he would see my arms flex. Knowing he would understand I had her and I wasn’t letting her go. He’d never get to her again. “Frank, make sure they get off the property as soon as possible. Lock the gate.”
I strode toward the house, pausing in front of Trevor. Bear was calmer now that Rabbit and I were in front of him. “Give me his lead, Trevor.”
He handed it to me. “Come on, boy,” I urged.
I walked in the house holding the two most important things in my life.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Joshua