I took a slow, deep breath and made sure my tone was soft, and then reached up to cover the bleeding spot with my hand, holding her tightly. “We’ll get it out, Rabbit. We will. I promise you.”
“Joshua ...?” Trevor’s voice was quiet. I knew he was drawing my attention to our unwelcome guests outside, but right at that moment, Rabbit was my priority. I held up my hand, letting him know I'd heard, but my eyes stayed on the distraught woman in my arms.
Pressed against me, Rabbit’s breathing was calming, her sobs coming to a slow stop. I kissed the top of her head. “I promise you Rabbit, we’ll get it out. As soon as we can.”
She nodded against me. “Good,” she whispered. “I want it gone. I want him gone.”
“We're working on that right now, Rabbit.” I smiled grimly and ran my fingers along her cheek.
“Joshua?” Trevor’s voice came again and I looked toward the window, watching that bastard James, as he came closer.
“I'm going to take care of him now, Rabbit. You go back into the bedroom. Take Bear with you.”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t, Joshua … don’t make me go sit alone. Please. I need to be with you.”
I looked down at her pleading eyes. I looked over at Adam and Daniel, who were standing close. I could hear Frank loading the gun and Trevor trying to calm Bear while watching out the window. Daniel inclined his head slightly towards me. I looked down at Lizzy. “You don’t leave Daniel’s side, do you understand? You. Don’t. Move.”
She nodded and I leaned down and kissed her softly. Cecilia handed me my parka and I wrapped it around Rabbit. I looked over at Adam. “Ready to start earning your retainer?”
He flashed me an evil smile, his facial expression serious and stern. Suddenly, I saw the brutal lawyer that went after abusive spouses. Frank stepped out of the mudroom. “Locked and loaded,” he growled.
I threw Bear’s lead at Trevor and heard the click as he snapped it on his collar.
I straightened my shoulders. Today was the day Brian James was removed from Rabbit’s life for good.
“Let’s show that asshole who he’s dealing with.”
Adam and I walked out first, Frank following. My eyes narrowed and I enjoyed watching the reaction as James took in the sight of Adam, and then Frank casually holding the rifle to his side. He certainly wasn’t expecting either of those imposing men. His own eyes narrowed as he took in the familiar sight of Daniel, Cecilia and Trevor. His mouth lifted in a sneer as I saw him focus on Lizzy. He had advanced forward, but the other two men remained standing by their truck. I could clearly hear Bear’s low, fierce growls behind me and I hoped Trevor had a tight hold of his lead. I wouldn’t mind Bear injuring him, but I certainly didn’t want Bear hurt.
“You’re trespassing. Get off my property,” I snarled.
Brian laughed snidely. “Ah, you’re the mystery owner. Not until I get my property back.”
“I have nothing of yours.”
His hand lifted and pointed to Rabbit.
“You have my wife.”
“She certainly isn’t your property. Nor is she your wife.”
“I have a marriage license that says differently.”
Adam stepped forward. “Not for long.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Brian snapped.
“I am Lizzy’s legal counsel. I suggest you get in your car and leave the property, immediately. Advise your lawyer to be expecting a call from me.”
Brian began to walk forward again. “Get in the fucking car, Elizabeth. I’ll deal with you later. I have no idea what you have been telling these people to get them to band around you. Or how the fuck you got them to come get you.” His gaze turned back to us. “But let me assure all of you, she isn’t stable.”
Behind me I heard Rabbit’s frightened whimper, and Bear’s low growls turned into loud, angry snaps of his jaws.
I extended my hand behind me in a comforting gesture to both of them as I stepped forward. I didn’t want to take my eyes off the scum that was currently spoiling my yard. Adam stepped forward with me and I heard the unmistakable sound of the rifle being cocked.
“Stop, right fucking now,” Frank spoke in a low deadly tone.
I stared at Brian with all the loathing and anger I felt bubbling up inside me. “You will never deal with her again. You will not come near her. You will not touch her. Ever again. She is perfectly stable, no thanks to you. And, she has recovered her memory. It’s over, James.”
“She’s lying,” he denied quickly.
“If you don’t know what she said then how do you know? Lying about what?”
“Everything. She is lying about everything. She’s mentally unstable. She can’t tell delusion from reality. She’s on medication.”