I dart out of his way, once, twice, but third time, I’m not so lucky.
Pain slams the side of my face, fire burning my scalp as his hand catches my hair and pulls. I scream and stumble like a rag doll, fear rippling through my body. His fist collides with my jaw, and I see bright lights and waves of black. I try to blink them away, try to focus enough to stay conscious and fight back. Because if I don’t, I believe deep within the bowels of my being that he could very kill me.
A metallic taste coats my tongue, and I choke a little before composing myself and throwing an uppercut, which is good enough to break his hold and have him falling backwards.
Agony blankets my hand, and the pain is so severe that I know I’ve broken it, but the adrenaline pumping through my veins keeps me alert enough to brace for another charge, when he’s suddenly tackled to the ground in a tumble of limbs.
Blinking back the cloud of darkness, I fall to my knees and cradle my wrist as Will grapples with the guy until he’s subdued in a headlock, his face turning red, his eyes slowly closing, Will’s arm tight and unrelenting.
“Will!” I cry out.
He doesn’t look up, just holds firm, his face a mask of unbridled fury.
I scream, “Will!”
Finally, his eyes meet mine, and he lets the guy go, scrambles to his feet, and drops to his knees in front of me.
“Lib.” He cups my face, his touch featherlight. “Jesus! What’d he do to you?”
“I’m okay,” I choke out, “but I think my hand is broken.”
He cradles my arm and wipes my cheek. “You’re bleeding. Where are you bleeding?”
“My mouth.” I spit some blood. “I dropped my guard.”
“Sweetheart,” he says, pressing his lips to my head. “You did good.”
I manage a small laugh. “I learned from the best.”
Will helps me to my feet just as Carly runs toward us, phone in hand.
“The police are on their way.” She takes one look at me and says, “Shit!” before bringing her phone to her ear again and asking for an ambulance.
The guy grumbles and tries to stand, his arms and legs like noodles.
“Stay the fuck down or I’ll kill you,” Will seethes.
I touch his chest and gesture toward Evan, fearing he’s seen, and possibly experienced, enough violence already.
Ms Hunter gets out of the car, walks over to her boyfriend, and kicks him in the gut. “You crazy arsehole! I hate you!” She kicks him again. “I hate you! I hate you!”
All I can hear and see is Evan crying, and it breaks my heart. No child should ever be subjected to this. “Will.” I gesture toward Evan.
Will pulls Ms Hunter away from her boyfriend then opens the car door, kneels down, and tells Evan it’s okay and that he’s safe.
Evan pushes past him and rushes to my side. “Ms Hanson,” he cries.
His little arms wrap around me, and no matter the pain tearing through every inch of my body, I know he’s safe.
It’s all that matters.
My sweet boy is safe.
Chapter Twenty
“We’re going in that?” I point to the old, rickety rowboat, which isn’t much bigger than Will.
“Yes. Get in.” He taps my arse with the oar.
Jumping forward, I rub the spot and narrow my eyes. “You’re so bossy.”
Will puts down the oar, steps up to me, and lifts my wrist to his lips. There’s a small scar from the surgery, but after several months of recovery and rehabilitation, my broken bones have healed, and my hand is pretty much functioning as normal.
I pressed charges against Stewart Stonewall, as did Ms Hunter, and he’s currently being held in the Melbourne Remand Centre, no bail, with his committal hearing set for this coming December. I’m nervous for the outcome, but for the most part, I’m trying not to think about it. It’s out of my hands now, and I need to focus on the aspects of my life that I do control.
I found out not too long after the incident that Stewart had dislocated Evan’s shoulder during the school holidays when he threw him against the wall. He also held a knife to his throat and broke several of Ms Hunter’s ribs. The night before that awful day at school, Stewart used Evan as a boxing bag, and he was bruised pretty much from top to toe, which is why he refused to remove his jumper when I asked.
My heart still bleeds for him, and I’ll forever