Rabbit fell asleep nestled in my arms and I took the time to study her. She looked so tired, with dark circles under her eyes that I could see even with the makeup she was wearing. She was dressed in a navy-colored suit with a plain white blouse under it. I remembered her dislike of navy, black and brown and hoped Cecilia had kept away from those colors when she picked up some new things for Rabbit. I also noticed she was thinner again; her body felt far too light in my arms. The few pounds she had gained were gone as well as at least another five or so. I could feel my anger building. Her hair was up in a tight knot on the back of her head and my fingers itched to find the pins holding it in place and free it. But I didn’t want to disturb her, so I waited. Her little hand was clasped tightly in mine and I softly stroked over her knuckles. My fingers stilled as they brushed over metal and I looked down to see the narrow gold band on her finger. I frowned. That was new. And, it didn’t belong there. I wanted it gone as well. I pulled on it but it was tight on her finger. Gently, I held up her hand studying it. Had the bastard purposely made the ring too small so it couldn’t be removed easily? Cursing under my breath, I tried to work the ring off but it wouldn’t budge. I gritted my teeth and resisted the desire to use my strength to pull it off. But that would frighten her and I didn’t want that. Instead, I closed my eyes and concentrated on the welcomed feeling of having her close again, and thinking back on the past couple days.
This morning, after yet another sleepless night, the enormity of what we were about to do had hit me. I was going to get into a helicopter and leave the property. Even the thought caused a sweat to break out on my brow and my hands to shake. The plan could go ahead without me; either Cecilia or Trevor could be the person to meet Rabbit in the stairwell but I knew it should be me. I needed to do this for myself and for Rabbit. I needed her to know she meant more to me than a phobia. That I could overcome it for her. For us.
Frank had joined me at the window, holding a cup of coffee. “It’s gonna be fine, Joshua,” he grunted. “I’ve scoped it out, and my people are all in place. It’ll be a walk in the park. I’m gonna give her the card and she is going to walk to the stairwell. My people will be on the other floors, cleaning up all the ‘spills’ and taking care of the problems that have happened to block the stairwells. And since that one can only be accessed after the second floor, it’s rarely used so the chances of anyone being in it are slim anyway. I’ll join you on the roof and off we’ll go.”
I drew in a deep breath and shared my troublesome thoughts. “What if something happens to her schedule? Or there is an emergency helicopter landing for the hospital?”
Frank chuckled. “Well, I doubt the first one is gonna happen. That fucker is so anal; he wouldn’t think to suddenly change her daily routine. He has it set in stone for the next two bloody months. We’ve done everything right, Joshua. We’ve watched her, we know her schedule. We didn’t move too quickly. We’ve planned this carefully. If he did suddenly change something, well let’s just say, I’ve got some backup plans. If there is an emergency, I already have a backup for that as well. Just like the library. We’ve thought it all out, Joshua. One way or another, your little lady is going to be home with you tonight.”
I nodded and looked at him. “What if I can’t do it? What if I can’t get in the chopper or, even worse, can’t get out on the other end?”
Frank took a deep swig of his coffee and looked back at me steadily. “I know your story, Joshua. Think of it this way. This is the easiest fucking way to make yourself do this. You are gonna walk over there,” he indicated the waiting chopper, “and get in. Your pilot is going to fly us out of here and we’ll be gone so fast you won’t have time to panic. And, on the other end, your girl will be there, needing you. If that isn’t enough of an incentive, I’m not sure what is or what could ever be.”
I had looked at him. He was right.
“If you can’t, I can either sucker-punch you so when you wake up you’re already in the air and have no choice, or I’ll take your feisty little sidekick with me,” he shrugged, chuckling. “Either way, mission accomplished. But if it’s you, then there is one more layer for them to try and figure out since you are basically unknown to them. Another way of ensuring your girl’s safety.”
I nodded grimly. Rabbit. That was the goal. That was what I needed to concentrate on. Not what I couldn’t do, but what I could do. What I needed to do. Bring her home.
Then he laughed, clapping his hand on my shoulder.
“There it is.”