I wanted to scream no, it wasn’t okay. To stop calling me that. To demand she take me back to Joshua. Instead, I wiped my face and stood up. She stood with me and held out her hand. In it was a tiny white envelope, no bigger than a business card.
“Joshua wanted me to give you this. He said to keep it safe. Guard it. And use it if you need to.”
I took it carefully. “What is it?”
“I have no idea. He wouldn’t tell me. He just said you would figure it out.”
Unsure what to do with it, I patted my pockets, then remembered the little one inside the waistband of the pants. No doubt it was there to hold a small item when running but it would do well for this. I slipped it in and pulled the hoodie back down.
“Ready?”
Trembling, scared and feeling ill, I nodded. We stepped out into the living area. There were three men standing to one side of Trevor and Daniel. Two of them were total strangers. I recognized the third as Brian from the pictures I had seen. We stared at each other. He was tall, dark-haired and large, so large he was almost square looking. Bulging muscles were made more evident by his stance. He stood looking at me, his hands on his hips, head tilted to one side. I looked back at him, waiting to feel a rush of recognition. Nothing. I could have walked past him on the street and never known he was my husband. My stomach tightened as he suddenly began walking towards me. He stopped in front of me, still staring, as I fought back the impulse to step back away from him. His hand reached out and I looked down at it. It was out of proportion with the rest of him. Blockish and thickset. Unbecoming. Not like Joshua’s long-fingered, beautifully tapered hand. I shuddered at the sight of it extended towards me. His voice speaking to me brought me back from my thoughts. “Elizabeth?” he breathed, his hand flexing, waiting for me to touch him. I drew in a breath and placed my hand in his. His bulky hand closed over mine and this time something stirred.
And, before I could stop it, I vomited all over his shoes. The last thing I heard before everything went black was a muttered string of expletives that I knew were directed at me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rabbit
I came to feeling panicked and unsure. My eyes flew open as I remembered why, only to find myself lying on the sofa. Standing at the end of the sofa was Brian and one of the other men that had been in the room. They were quietly conversing. I sat up and looked around, relaxing when I saw Cecilia and Trevor standing a few feet away, looking at me with worried expressions on their faces.
Daniel was leaning over me, his fingers on my wrist. “Are you all right, Elizabeth?” he asked calmly, although the look on his face was intense and questioning.
I stared at him, filled with uncertainty, but I nodded. He handed me a glass of water which I drank gratefully.
Frowning, he stood up, releasing my wrist. “She seems fine now. No doubt a reaction to all the stress,” he said to Brian.
Brian came over. “Elizabeth.”
“I’m so sorry, I’m just so sorry …” My voice was trembling.
He held up his hand. “Mrs. Jones explained how nervous you have been. No harm done. I over-reacted myself. Are you feeling all right now?” His tone was kind, yet somehow I found no comfort in that fact.
I was puzzled at the formal use of Cecilia’s name, but realized quickly I was not supposed to know her, or any of them, very well. I drew in a shaky breath, knowing I needed to remember to act accordingly.
Brian sat down. Again, he reached for my hand and, this time, I steeled myself not to show a reaction, even though just the sight of his wide hands made me cringe. Why, I had no idea.
“I’m sure you’re feeling very disconcerted. You have been through so much. I’m anxious to get you home and settled.” He drew in a deep breath and studied my face for a minute. “We’ve much to talk about. No doubt you are eager to be in familiar surroundings as well.” His nose wrinkled in distaste. “And, out of those clothes. I suppose that’s all the home had to give you.”
I looked down. I was in Joshua’s shirt and hoodie. I never wanted to take them off. But I looked up and nodded silently. It seemed to be what he was expecting.
He stood up. “I am taking my wife home now. Obviously, she is still recovering and she needs rest. Thank you for your efforts. I will make sure the care home is amply rewarded.” His tone brooked no argument.
“You should make sure she goes to her doctor as soon as possible,” Daniel spoke up, stepping forward.
Brian’s hand shot up, stopping Daniel’s motion. “I will make sure my wife is seen to properly. There is no need for you to be concerned any longer,” he snapped.
He turned to me. “Come, Elizabeth.”
I stood up shakily, nervous at the abrupt change in his demeanor. He turned back to Daniel. “I apologize. I’m simply anxious to get Elizabeth home. And, of course I will make sure she is seen by our doctor. I appreciate the concern for my wife, but it’s not necessary.”
Daniel nodded silently, his brow furrowed.