WildLoving (12 page)

“I’ll have to kill you both now,” Jason said, his tone
almost conversational, as though he were discussing the weather.

Eliza ignored the throbbing pain in her arms and managed to
pull her phone from her pocket. The blood on her hand made her fingers slippery
and she almost dropped it. She fumbled with the phone, catching it before it
fell.

The line was already open. Had she managed to contact
someone earlier? She held the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Eliza? It’s Detective Zurkowski. Help is on the way. I’m
almost there.” She’d never been so happy to hear another voice in her life.

“He and Rabb are fighting,” she managed to tell the
detective even though her teeth were chattering. “Knife. Jason has a knife.”

The blare of sirens grew louder. Eliza pushed herself up
onto her knees, reached up and grabbed the handle of the door for support. She
had to help Rabb.

The fight in the alley was deadly and eerily silent. Both
men moved in a kind of macabre dance. Jason obviously knew how to use a blade
in a fight. Rabb had no weapon, but he was light on his feet for such a heavily
muscled man, jumping nimbly out of the way and managing to land a few blows to
Jason’s body. They slowed Jason down but didn’t stop him. With each deadly
swing of the knife she expected Rabb to be stabbed, but he always managed to
jump out of the way at the last second, which wasn’t easy given the confined
space.

Rabb landed a blow to Jason’s jaw, snapping his head back.
Jason shook his head and jumped at Rabb. Eliza barely stifled a scream when
Rabb got out of the way in the nick of time. As it was, the knife caught his
shirt, ripping the material. She looked frantically but didn’t see any blood.

She should get a weapon. Something to help Rabb. But for
some reason she was finding it difficult to think, to find the energy to act.
She knew she was bleeding, knew she was cold, but strangely enough she didn’t
feel much of anything. Her entire focus was on the deadly fight in front of
her.

Tires squealed to a halt and then she heard the heavy tread
of boots hurrying toward them, but she didn’t take her eyes off Rabb. “Police,”
one uniformed man yelled. “Drop your weapon.”

Jason turned his head and saw her standing in the doorway,
holding herself up by leaning against the heavy panel. “This is all your
fault,” he roared. “All your fault,” he repeated as he lunged toward her, knife
glinting in the streetlight.

Rabb yelled her name.

Her reflexes were slow and before Eliza could pull the door
shut, several shots rang out. Jason’s body jerked before he fell to the ground.
Rabb raced toward her, jumping over Jason’s body. He grabbed her and yanked her
into his arms. “Are you okay?” He pulled back and pushed a lock of her hair
away from her face. “Eliza?”

“She’s bleeding.” The male voice was deep and one she
recognized.

Rabb turned and practically growled. “Who the hell are you?”

“Detective Mitchell Zurkowski.” He waved to someone at the
head of the alley and moments later the EMTs hurried toward her. Another group
was working on Jason.

There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but she was
so tired. Her eyes drifted shut. She heard someone calling her name and
frowned. She knew that voice.

Rabb.

She managed to pry her eyes open. “I’m okay.” Or at least
that’s what she thought she said. It sounded a little garbled even to her.
She’d rest for a minute and then help them sort things out. Until then, they’d
have to manage without her.

She shut her eyes and drifted into the waiting darkness.

Rabb sat in the uncomfortable hospital chair next to Eliza’s
bed and held her hand. She looked so small and fragile lying there with the
pristine white sheets pulled up over her chest and her bandaged arms resting on
top. But he knew looks could be deceiving. She had the heart of the lion, as
he’d seen firsthand.

The machine that monitored her vital signs hummed quietly.
The IV dripped silently. Both her arms were wrapped in gauze. It had taken
quite a few stitches to close the wounds Jason had inflicted. Two more scars to
add to her collection.

He’d never been so scared in his life as he’d been the
moment he’d stepped into the kitchen to find Eliza missing. It was only because
there was a chill in the air that he’d even thought to check the door. When
he’d discovered it unlocked, his heart had practically stopped.

He’d burst into the alley to find her confronting Jason on
her own. Hell, her attacker had about ten inches and eighty pounds on her, yet
she’d faced him bravely and had managed to stay alive until Rabb had gotten to
her.

And not only that, she’d managed to call Detective Zurkowski
and leave the line open so he could hear. Yeah, she was courageous, but Rabb
sincerely prayed she’d never have to be that courageous again. His heart
couldn’t take it.

A light rap on the door made him tense. It pushed inward and
Detective Mitchell Zurkowski poked his head into the room. He glanced at the
bed and then at Rabb before entering. “How is she?”

Rabb rubbed his thumb over the back of Eliza’s hand. She was
warm now, which was good. She’d been so cold and in shock when they’d brought
her in. “The doctor said she’ll be fine with time and rest.” And he was going
to make sure she got as much of it as she needed.

The detective was a big man, standing well over six feet. He
paused at the end of the bed and stared down at Eliza. Rabb could see the anger
and regret in the man’s eyes. “I only wish we’d been able to stop Ware before
he attacked her again.”

“You believed her,” Rabb pointed out. “Which is more than
everyone else did.”

Zurkowski dragged his fingers through his hair. “Yeah. Fat
lot of good it did her.” He pulled his gaze away from Eliza and faced Rabb.
“You’ll take care of her.”

It wasn’t a question, but Rabb answered anyway. “Yeah, I’ll
take care of her.” Rabb glanced at Eliza to make sure she was still sleeping.
“Did Ware make it through surgery?” Although he’d been shot several times by
the responding officers, he’d been alive when they’d taken him from the scene.

Zurkowski shook his head. “No, he died on the operating
table. That’s one of the reasons I dropped by. I figured she’d want to know.”

Rabb nodded. He felt better about that, but knew Eliza would
have mixed feelings. She was a tenderhearted soul. “Thanks.”

Zurkowski shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “We
checked out his home. He had a room filled with pictures of Eliza and several
other women. Seems she wasn’t the first one he had an obsession with.”

That really didn’t surprise Rabb. His buddy Archer had been
pretty adamant that Eliza wasn’t Jason’s first obsession. Stalking of this
nature wasn’t something that generally started when a guy was in his early
thirties. There were usually blips or signs that started earlier in life.

“One of the women is missing. The other one we found married
and living in California.”

Rabb prayed the missing woman had run away to escape her
stalker.

“Anyway,” Zurkowski continued. “If Eliza or you need
anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

Rabb reluctantly released Eliza’s hand, stood and held out
his hand to the detective. “Thanks for everything.” The handshake was solid.

“Wish I could have done more.”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done, and I know Eliza does
too.” Rabb sat back down and reclaimed Eliza’s hand. “Why don’t you stop by
Hatter’s some night for a drink? On me,” he added.

“I might just do that.” Zurkowski tipped his head toward the
bed. “Tell her I came by to see her. She’s a special lady.”

Rabb could hear the longing in Zurkowski’s voice and
realized the other man was attracted to Eliza even though he’d never acted on
it. “I will.” Rabb felt bad for the guy. He knew what it was like to carry a
torch for a woman, this particular woman. But Zurkowski needed to find a woman
of his own. Eliza was taken.

The detective left as quietly as he’d entered, leaving the
two of them alone once again. His parents had called and Nevar had come by,
offering any assistance. Right now Eliza didn’t need much. That would come
later when he had her back home.

She stirred, opened her lovely green eyes and blinked at
him. A small smile tilted her lips upward and his heart skipped a beat. “I
thought I heard you talking with someone. I must have dreamed it.”

He shook his head. “The good detective dropped by. He just
left.”

“Oh. Sorry I missed him.” She shifted on the mattress.

“You okay? You need anything?” Rabb reached for the call
button attached to the bed.

“I’m fine.” She tugged the covers higher.

Rabb released her hand and helped her. “Are you cold?”

“A little.”

He reached behind him and grabbed a bag his mother had sent
with Nevar. “Mom sent this along for you.” Rabb shook out the homemade quilt,
his mother had stitched.

“Oh my.” Eliza’s jaw dropped.

“Yeah. You know how much my mom loves
Alice in Wonderland
.”
The quilt was predominantly blue and white with touches of red. It also
prominently featured the Red Queen and the White Rabbit. “Mom was going to save
it for your birthday in a couple of months, but figured you could use it now.”

Eliza reverently ran her hand over the fabric. “It’s
beautiful. Amazing.” Her eyes were shining with unshed tears when she looked at
him. “Have I told you lately how much I adore your family?”

“The feeling is mutual,” he assured her. He’d already gotten
an earful from all them, demanding he bring Eliza back home as soon as the
doctors would release her.

“What did Mitchell have to say?”

It took Rabb a moment to realize she was talking about
Detective Zurkowski. He ignored the flare of jealousy that flashed through him.
He was the one here with Eliza and that was what truly mattered.

He took he hand again. “Jason didn’t make it through
surgery.”

“Oh.” Eliza glanced away. Rabb caught her chin in his hand
and turned her head back toward him.

“Talk to me,” he prompted.

“I wished he’d lived. I’d rather he’d gone to prison for a
lot of years to pay for what he’d done.” Eliza sighed and shook her head.
“Another part of me is glad he’s gone. That I won’t have to worry about him
five or ten or twenty years down the road. Is that wrong of me?”

“No, baby, not wrong at all.” He wished he could lift her
into his arms and cuddle her close, but she had too many tubes and wires
attached to her. Thankfully, they were only temporary. The nurse had assured
him earlier that if Eliza continued to improve they’d be removing them later
today. “It’s natural.”

Eliza’s eyes drifted shut. “I’m so tired.” Her voice was
little more than a whisper, but it tore at his heart.

“You rest. I’m right here beside you.”

She nodded and turned her head away. Rabb tightened his grip
on her hand, not willing to relinquish his hold on her.

* * * * *

It seemed as if it took her forever to climb the stairs to
Rabb’s apartment. Eliza took one slow step at a time, very aware of Rabb
hovering behind her. Only her arms had sustained any major injuries, but for
some reason, she simply didn’t seem to have much energy. The doctor had warned
her that was to be expected.

And while she knew what to expect from the last time she’d
been stabbed, it had still surprised her just how weak she was. But she’d get
stronger with time until Jason and her injuries were nothing more than a
memory.

“Sorry I’m so slow.” Honestly, snails moved faster.

“Don’t worry about it.” He placed his hand on the small of
her back and rubbed. Rabb had been by her side her every minute of the past
thirty-six hours. Eliza was glad the doctor had released her just before lunch.
If he hadn’t, she might have been tempted to make a break for freedom. She’d
rest better at home.

Home.

This really wasn’t her home, was it? It was Rabb’s. But for
the first time in what seemed like forever, Eliza could plan for a future.

“Almost there,” he told her. She knew he wanted to carry her
up the stairs, but she’d insisted on doing it herself. It would be all too easy
to let Rabb take care of everything. And that was something she wasn’t about to
do. He’d done so much for her already. Too much.

She shivered just remembering Rabb fighting with Jason. It
hadn’t been at all like what you see in the movies. Actual fighting was brutal
and dirty and unpredictable.

Eliza reached the landing and let out a sigh of relief. Rabb
moved around her, still juggling all her belongings, including the gorgeous
quilt his mother had made. It still amazed her how kind and accepting the
entire Hatter family was, especially considering the violence she’d brought
into their lives.

Rabb opened the door and stood back to allow her to enter.
Sun streamed in through the living room window, illuminating the people
standing next to the dining table. A huge banner with
Welcome Home
emblazoned on it was strung between two ceiling beams. The table was set with
linen and fine china and a huge cake sat in the center.

“Welcome home,” they chorused.

Eliza was dumbfounded. She stood there, unable to move as
tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t quite know what she should do. Rabb leaned
down and kissed her on her neck and whispered in her ear. “Welcome home, baby.”

Her trembling grew worse to the point she thought she might
fall. But before that could happen, Irene Hatter swept forward and pulled her
into a gentle hug. “I know we’re overwhelming, so we won’t stay long. We just
wanted to celebrate your homecoming.” Irene’s citrus perfume surrounded her. It
was different from the fragrance she wore last month. Rabb’s mother did like to
mix things up.

Frank Hatter was next. He was very careful not to jostle her
arms, which were starting to throb, reminding her it was time for her
medication—to fight both pain and infection. Frank was so like Rabb it brought
tears to her eyes.

“It’s okay, little girl,” he told her. “You’ll see.
Everything will be fine.” And Frank said it with such conviction she believed
him.

Nevar was next in line to hug her and then Allison. The
other woman whispered in her ear. “You’ll get used to them.”

Would she? She knew she wanted to with a fierceness that
surprised her. She wanted it all—Rabb, his family, a job she loved. And it was
all possible now. She just had to be willing to work and fight for what she
wanted.

Well, she’d always had to work hard, so that wasn’t a
problem. She glanced over her shoulder at Rabb, who stood patiently behind her.
What did he want? That was the big question and one they’d have to discuss.

But not now. Later. Now she wanted to sit at the dining room
table, sip tea and eat cake with all these wonderful people. “I need to sit,”
she announced. Before she fell down. She was so incredibly weak.

Rabb scooped her off her feet and sat in the chair at the
head of the table with her ensconced in his lap. “I can manage by myself,” she
told him. She glanced at the others, slightly embarrassed by Rabb’s actions.
They simply smiled and carried on as though her sitting in his lap was nothing
out of the ordinary.

“I can’t.” He buried his face in her hair and inhaled
deeply.

She realized that he’d been as shaken by everything that had
happened as much as she had. She patted his chest, no longer caring what the
others might think. Rabb needed her.

But they weren’t paying her and Rabb the least bit of
attention. Irene and Allison were busy serving tea—she’d quickly learned that
only tea got served at major Hatter celebrations—while Frank was busy cutting
the cake.

Nevar held up his cell phone. “Smile,” he told them before
he snapped a picture.

Eliza laughed. “I look like a mess.” Her red hair was
tumbling loose around her shoulders because she hadn’t had anything to tie it
back with at the hospital.

“You look beautiful,” Rabb told her.

“I want a picture of your family and the cake,” she told
him. She wanted to capture this special moment forever.

Rabb reached into his pocket, drew out his phone and held it
up. “Hey,” he called out, snapping the photo when they all looked up. His
mother laughed while his father just grinned.

He set the phone down next to him and took one of the cups
of tea that his mother had placed in front of them and handed it to her. She
took it with both hands, afraid she would spill it otherwise.

“Nevar, can you hand me that bag?” Rabb asked his brother.

“Sure.” Nevar grabbed it and place it on the table beside
Rabb.

He opened it and dug inside, pulling out her two bottles of
pills. “You need to take these.”

She felt her heart expanding, filled with such love for this
man. He was always looking out for her. At times it could be overwhelming, but
Eliza knew it always came from a place of love. Plus, now that the threat to
her was gone she could work on getting him to relax.

Her future was settled in her own mind, and it included
Rabb. No more running, no more letting life simply happen. It was time for her
to carve out the life she wanted.

She set her teacup on the table, lifted one of the bottles
and tried to open it. But trying to wrestle with the darn child-proof lid put a
strain on her forearms and her stitches, making her wince.

“Let me do it.” Rabb held out his hand and patiently waited
until she handed him the bottle. He glanced at the label and dumped one pill
into her outstretched hand. She downed that one while he opened the second
bottle.