She sighed shakily and relaxed into my arms. “Thank you.”
“Rest now,” I urged quietly, laying her down and pulling the blanket back around her huddled form.
“Only until Daniel gets here.”
“Sure,” I readily agreed, knowing I could keep the noise down, making sure she rested a little longer.
“Don’t let me sleep long,” she mumbled thickly.
I stood looking at her, already being pulled under by her exhaustion. She was so strong and compassionate, especially given what she had been through. I was filled with amazement that this lovely little woman was part of my life.
My brave Rabbit.
I shook my head.
She wasn’t part of my life.
She was my life now. She was everything.
Adam was pounding away on his keyboard. Frank and Trevor were sitting and talking in front of the fire. Cecilia was trying to engage me in conversation, but I was distracted. Daniel was in with Rabbit and she had insisted she was fine alone. But my eyes kept straying down the hall to the closed door.
“Joshua.”
I looked at Cecilia.
“She’s fine,” she reassured me. “She’s in good hands. Daniel is checking her over. Just like you asked.”
I nodded. “She’s so tired, Cecilia. And … there’s something in her neck.” I said quietly.
Adam’s head snapped up. Both Trevor and Frank stood up and came over. I sighed. Apparently not as quietly as I thought.
“What do you mean, Joshua?”
Just then the door opened and Daniel came out. He sat down beside me and clapped me on the shoulder. “How is she, Daniel?” I asked anxiously.
He hesitated. “She’s okay, Joshua. Her blood pressure is a little low and she is clearly exhausted. She is under-nourished which could account for both. Add the intense stress she has been under, her exhaustion is not surprising. But, I would feel better running a few tests on her.”
“Her neck?”
“You were correct. Definitely not a tetanus shot. I suspect you may be right about what it is. I want to take an x-ray and do some blood work as well. I’ll make the arrangements at the hospital. Can you get her there tomorrow?”
I nodded and started to speak when Bear suddenly tore down the hall, growling loudly. Then he launched himself at the window, barking furiously, deep snarling growls issuing from his throat in between the loud barks. We all stood up in unison and Trevor went over to the window.
“Fuck. Frank, didn’t you shut the gate when you got here? Joshua, you still have that shotgun around?”
My stomach tightened at his tone.
“Yeah.”
“You might want to get it. Brian James and his henchmen are standing out front.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Joshua
A gasp came from behind me. I turned and saw Rabbit standing in the hall. Her hand was covering her mouth and her body was shaking violently. I held out my hand. “Come here, Rabbit.” I turned to Frank. “The gun’s in the mudroom closet. Bullets are on the shelf.”
As soon as she was close, I wrapped my arms around her. “You are safe. I promise you. You are surrounded by people here who will protect you. Nothing, nothing is going to hurt you,” I said firmly. Then, I cupped her face. “Nobody is taking you away from me. Understand?” She nodded, and I carefully wiped the tears away from her skin.
“How did he find me?” Her voice trembled.
I fingered the mark on her neck. I looked at Daniel. He nodded and shrugged. “I think … I think this is a tracking device chip, Rabbit.”
Her hand flew up to the back of her neck and she became impossibly paler. Then I watched in horror as she began frantically clawing at her neck.
“Get it out! Get it out!” Her voice was high and sharp as her fingernails drew blood.
“Rabbit!”
“Get it out of me!”
My hand shot up, clamping down on her wrist, trying to stop her before she could do any more damage to her skin, but she pushed my hand away.
“NO! Get it out!” She was sobbing now, tears streaming down her cheeks as her fingers scrabbled and scratched at the chip beneath her skin. I reached for her hands again, pressing them down to her sides this time and then wrapping my arms around her.
“Stop! Stop it! Rabbit!”
“Get it out of me!” She struggled against me and I held her tighter. “Let go!” she yelled.
“No!” I yelled back. “I won't let you hurt yourself, Rabbit. I won't!”
At last it seemed my voice got through to her. She stopped struggling, her sobs slowed and her body slumped against mine.
“What did he do to me?” she whimpered. I couldn't answer her, not able to trust my own voice to be calm. I didn't want her to hear the fury I could feel boiling within me. I was struggling to keep my anger at Brian under control and I didn't want Lizzy to think that anger was directed at her.