“Ok, I need to get the girls out of the panic room,” he said. Seeking Royce’s eyes, Kurt nodded to indicate that Royce should take Becki while he released the girls.
Kurt settled her in Royce’s arms once again and continued, “We’re not going to mention what happened here. We don’t know who those men were, but Royce and Landon scared them away. Right?” he prompted meeting her eyes to make sure she understood.
She nodded once again and then regaining some of her spunk, she lifted her head and announced, “Someday, you and I are going to have a serious conversation about the interesting array of weapons and ammunition in your gun safe.”
“Ok, some day,” Kurt agreed with a sigh.
Becki relished being in Royce’s arms. It felt safe and secure. Just like home should feel.
#
Even though Landon was exhausted, he was even more livid. After preventing Royce from putting a bullet in Trevor, he took his leave and stalked purposefully toward Joanna.
Her eyes widened at the expression on his face. She began to back away and move her hands as if to cast a spell. Since she would not dare attempt to control him with magic, he could only assume she was preparing to run.
“If you move, even so much as one molecule of your body, I will hunt you down and make you very sorry,” Landon promised softly.
Landon’s threat immediately ignited Joanna’s rebellion. All she needed was one more man trying to control her, thinking they could tell her what to do. Not in this lifetime! She lifted her head defiantly and began to whisper, “Winds of the East--”
Damn! She had forgotten how fast he moved. Before she could finish the vanishing spell, Landon planted his shoulder in her stomach and lifted her off her feet. He strode across the street with her flung over his shoulder as if she were a sack of potatoes. He then carried her directly to his house and through the front door. Once inside, he kicked the door shut with a bang! The entire house shuttered under the force of his fury.
In the next instant, he had dumped her in the middle of his bed and was in the process of climbing on top of her. Panic took root in the very core of her being and quickly flooded her body and mind. Trapped! No way to escape. She couldn’t breathe. Joanna began gasping for oxygen, clawing him as she fought to escape. Her body began to shake as tears streamed from her eyes. “No-- No,” she sobbed. The hell-cat turned into a child before his eyes.
Landon immediately rolled to one side. He had only thought to prevent her from escaping while they discussed what had just happed. He knew she would be pissed, but he never expected sheer panic.
As her attacker’s weight left her body, Joanna curled into a ball. She was curling up, protecting herself, protecting her… “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Don’t hurt me. Please, don’t hurt us,” she sobbed.
Landon was struck immobile by what he saw. He knew the signs of abuse. These particular signs might as well have been flashing neon. Exhaustion ebbed and his body was quickly consumed by rage. His Were began to stir, and he forced himself to breathe deeply in an effort to calm them both. Joanna definitely did not need to deal with that part of him right now.
He moved closer to Joanna, wrapping his arms loosely around her. He began whispering softly. “Joanna, it’s me. You’re safe. It’s Landon, honey. Come on, Jo, come back to me. Calm down. Breathe, baby. It’s Landon. I’ve got you, you’re safe. I’m so sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m sorry, Joanna. I’m so very sorry.”
He continued crooning softly, reassuring her that she was safe. Joanna began to quiet down, but still sobbed softly. He continued to whisper to her. His fingertips stroked her back soothingly.
Oh God, why today? Why did this shit have to happen today? She had put all of that behind her. No one knew…. Royce didn’t know, her parents didn’t know.
How could she explain this to Landon? Shame and embarrassment filled her. She knew Landon would never harm her. He would surely think her mentally unstable. She hated feeling helpless and trapped.
“Jo, I’m going to get you a glass of water,” Landon said. “Will you be ok?”
She nodded her head. As he planted a soft kiss on her head, he gently