I was shocked when he simply nodded. “I expected you to. I assume it will take them ten or fifteen minutes to get here. That’s enough time.”
Reaching behind me, I gently pushed Rabbit backwards. I spoke calmly to her. “Go inside the house. Lock the door. Call Adam, Rabbit.”
James stepped forward. “No.”
I felt Rabbit push herself into my back in terror. Her shaking had increased and I could feel her hands pressing tightly against my sides. This stress wasn’t good for her or the babies.
I shook my head furiously at him. “You have no say in what she does or doesn’t do anymore, James. Get the fuck off my property now.” Bear stood, growling low in his throat, waiting for me to give the signal for him to move.
Brian raised his hands is supplication. “I’m not here to hurt Elizabeth. Or tell her what to do. All I’m asking for is a chance to talk to her.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to you. She doesn’t want you to be here. You’re not supposed to be here. Leave.” I hit speed dial for Adam and listened as it started to ring.
The man beside Brian held up his hand. “Please. Let him speak. He isn’t asking to be alone with Elizabeth. Just a chance to say something. Then we’ll leave.”
Adam’s voicemail picked up. “Brian James is here,” I hissed into the phone and hung up.
“What do you have to say that is so important that you’re willing to risk going to jail for? Or are you so fucking stupid you didn’t think about that, James?” I growled.
“I did. I am hoping Elizabeth won’t press charges. I’m leaving the country. I wanted to apologize to her before I do.”
I stared at him. “Fucking what? Pardon me?”
“Elizabeth. Please. Let me say what I need to say. And I’ll leave. I’ll never come near you again.” He held up an envelope in his hand. “I have my copies of the divorce papers here. I signed them this morning. You’re free of me.”
“Thanks for the news-flash,” I spat out. “Now leave.”
“Why, Brian? Why did you do what you did?” Rabbit surprised me by stepping out from behind me and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close.
Brian shook his head. “I can’t possibly explain it well enough in a short time.”
“Try,” she insisted.
I started to dial 9-1-1, but Rabbit lifted her hand towards me. “Stop, Joshua. I have a few things I want to say.”
“Rabbit,” I warned, surprised.
“I’m fine, Joshua. You’re right here. I’m safe. Please.”
Reluctantly, I put the cell phone down. If Rabbit wanted to talk, I would let her. I knew she still wanted answers that I couldn’t give her. But I kept the phone in my hand, ready to start dialing.
“You didn’t love me.”
“No,” he said honestly. “I didn’t.”
“Why did you marry me?”
“I needed to get married. You were a good candidate. You seemed … controllable. And yet you had this ... warmth about you. People looked at me differently when you were beside me. It was a good image for me.” He drew in a deep breath. “I married you because I wanted my father off my back. He kept threatening to take the company away unless I settled down.”
For a minute, there was silence. Rabbit waited.
“I wasn’t happy, Elizabeth. I was miserable. I was caught in between a rock and a hard place. And I took it out on you. It wasn’t my intention to do so … it just happened. I was just so angry all the time. And it escalated. Every time my father criticised me, I berated you. He belittled me, I belittled you. Every time he told me how far from perfect I was and reminded me what an utter failure I was as his son … I hurt you. You never did anything but try and please me. I know that.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I know none of this means much to you. I imagine my apology is meaningless, given what I put you through. But I wanted you to try and understand my side of things, even if it doesn’t excuse what I did.”
Beside me, Rabbit was still.
I rolled my eyes. “That was the worst excuse for an apology I’ve ever heard. You said your piece, James. Now keep your promise and leave,” I demanded.
He turned to the car. But Rabbit spoke up again, her voice firm. “No. Why, Brian. I want to know. What happened that day? What did I do that day that was so unforgiveable you had to hurt me like that?”
Brian turned back and stared at her. We all knew what day she was referring to.