Finding His Sun

Chapter Thirteen

Erin felt like she was frozen in time. Her whole body was paralyzed in fear. It felt like the ground beneath her was slowly starting to cave in and engulf her. She heard Mason’s ice-cold voice claim her… and she couldn’t feel anything. As quickly as she fell in love with this life, Mason was there to rip it away from her. She didn’t know her heart could hurt more than it already was, but she realized she was wrong. She stood there while his steel blue eyes grabbed hold of her body and destroyed it all over again. 

Benjamin and James were still standing face to face, neither one bending to the other. Adam was seething with rage at Mason’s words. In the corner of his eyes he saw Neal and Sam walk up behind him, and Callum and Levi stand in front of Erin. Everyone was tense, but no one knew how to respond, no one knew exactly what was happening. 

Adam looked at Mason with a rage that could kill, “you don’t own anything here you son of a b***h”. 

Mason wasn’t expecting Adam to talk to him that way, no one ever did, especially not with his father around. He didn’t know to respond so he looked back at Erin, who was still in shock. 

“Hello Erin. It looks like you’ve done a pretty good job at running away and hiding from your obligations. Did you think that would work?” 

At the sound of Erin’s name coming from Mason’s mouth she felt like she was taking another one of his fists to her stomach or a slap to the face. She couldn’t find her voice to defend herself. She felt a hand grab her arm; it was Callum holding her up slightly. 

The more Mason pried and walked towards Erin the angrier everyone around Erin became. Adam was about to jump out of his skin and kill Mason, when James spoke. 

“I’m not sure who you think you are, son, but I know you’re not standing on my land disrespecting a lady. If you were choosing to do that, I’d kindly ask you to rethink that decision. What happens on my land is my business and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty” James words spoke like a dagger through Mason’s words and struck fear into anyone around him. “Now Benjamin, state your business or it won’t be pretty how I ask y’all to leave”. 

Benjamin faltered when James spoke, clearly shaken, but rebounded quickly, “I have a warrant for Mrs. Cayhill’s arrest”, he said coldly, while looking directly at Erin. 

A small smile crept up to Mason’s face, though he tried to hide it. Erin really thought she was dying. Callum had both hands on her now. Arrest? What the hell? 

Adam began to march up to Mason, and stood a foot from his face, not backing down. Mason took big steps backwards, obviously frightened, but tried to hold his ground. All Adam did was stare, his presence was enough to terminate any facade Mason or Benjamin were trying to show. 

Erin saw a big figure start to walk towards the front, it was Lance. His normally in place brown hair was a little disheveled, but his face spoke nothing but business and professionalism.  

“If you say you have a warrant for Mrs. Cayhill, I’ll need to see a copy of that and the reason behind it. I’m her representation”. 

Erin looked around, but she was still the only one in shock. Callum tried to give her a comforting smile, but nothing could stop the fire that was burning her from the inside out. Adam came and stood next to her, replacing Callum’s hands, but Callum and Sam never moved from her side. Erin could feel the heat coming off of Adam, and she grabbed his hand. He didn’t look at her, but she knew he was worried. So was she. 

Benjamin took a piece of paper from the police officer and handed it to Lance. A chuckle escaped Lance’s mouth as he read it. Erin hadn’t seen him so confident until now, it gave her just a sliver of comfort. 

“Okay. If you want to play that way, I don’t mind kicking your ass,” Lance stated as callous as he could. 

Lance talked with James for a second, but Erin couldn’t hear their words. Then Lance started towards Adam and Erin, Adam squeezed her hand tighter for comfort, but nothing would help. Lance gave her a knowing smile. 

“Breathe for me Erin” he said, and she did. 

She felt her lungs fill with air for the first time since the whole altercation had begun. She felt lightheaded. 

“Lance, we can’t let her go with that bastard. I’ll be dead before I let that happen” it sounded like a growl escaping Adam’s mouth.

“She won’t be going with the Mallards,” Erin sighed in relief, “she’ll be going with the police officer,” Lance stated. 

Erin snapped her head up at him in astonishment. Can no one save her? She was going to jail? For what?   

Adam was about to protest when Lance stopped him with a gentle pat. 

“This warrant is bogus. Mason is pressing charges on Erin saying she gave him some type of injury or distress when they ‘fought’ the other night. As you can see by the blatant markings on her face and body, it’s safe to say we know which one was in distress. Now I’m guessing by the looks on their faces they didn’t think she would have representation and this was all a ploy to get Erin to go with him instead of jail,” he was now looking at Erin, “don’t worry you won’t do any jail time or have a record with me on your side. I just need you to trust me and come to the station to fill out paperwork. I’ll be there the whole time and then we can come right back here okay?” 

Both men were looking at Erin for an answer. She felt like she had been pulled into another world. She wanted to just die right then and there and cease to exist. She shook her head trying to get her thoughts together. She hadn’t realized that Adam was basically holding all of her weight in his rugged arms. She started to balance herself and look him in the eyes. She wanted to apologize. This is what she had been afraid of, hurting him. She saw the pain that emanated from his face and wanted to stop it. She never wanted him to feel this pain or carry her burden. She had to fix this; she just didn’t know how. She looked at Lance and nodded. 

“You can follow us to the jail house and drive us home once we are done okay? I’ll take care of her” Lance told Adam trying to reassure his fear. 

Lance took Erin by the arm and started talking to the officer and Benjamin, explaining how everything would go. Benjamin was obviously irritated but agreed to his terms. Erin looked at Mason smiling at her and she felt vomit creep up her throat. She looked back at everyone who so fiercely protected her, and tears started in her eyes, but she never allowed them to fall. She caught eyes with Alaina and the woman gave her a reassuring nod. Erin was stronger than what Mason made her to be. She mouthed ‘thank you’ to her and the men. Adam and James and Neal were already loading up in James’ truck ready to follow them to the jail house. Erin took a deep breath and let Lance lead her to the cop car. 

Erin tried to listen to Lance on the car ride over, but it was hard to focus. She felt numb, she felt empty, she felt lost. He guided her not to say anything to Mason, no matter how hard he pushed her. Lance would do all the talking and she would just have to sign a paper. 

“The judge will set a bail-” he stopped as Erin was snapped back into the seriousness of the situation. 

“I don’t… I can’t pay for a bail. I don’t have my checkbook, let alone enough to cover anything like that,” she felt her heart start to sink more into the torment of her circumstance. 

“Erin, you’re a part of the Graves family now whether you like it or not. Don’t worry about the money,” he didn’t say another word. 

Erin was shocked. How could he do something like that for someone he just met yesterday? She had no response once again, and he resumed talking. 

“We also need to get as many pictures of your face and all the rest of the bruises Mason gave you. I want to be sure we cover all of our bases, is that okay?” 

Erin gave an understanding nod even though she felt more exposed than she ever had in her whole life. She touched her face and let the pain wake her into real time. She knew her scars needed to be documented and held up for Mason to attest to. 

Adam was still bursting at the seams with anger as his father tried to talk him off the cliff, he was about to nosedive off of. He wanted to kill Mason, bring him back to life and kill him again. 

“You heard Lance. This was just all a big ordeal to get Erin to come back to him. We won’t let anything happen to her, okay?” James urged Adam to answer, but all he could do was nod. 

Adam’s knuckles were white from gripping the seat so hard. James and Neal continued to strategize over what would become of the Mallards. One thing James Graves did not take lightly was a threat to one of his own, and Benjamin knew it. 

This wasn’t the first time Benjamin and James crossed paths. He had been after a large portion of James’ land for years now and failing comically. James would never sell, only expand, and now Benjamin was making it personal. James was a good honest rancher, but he had a dark past when dealing with people trying to start a war with him. Now was not the time for the Mallards to be knocking on his door. 

After what seemed like an eternity, they pulled into the jail house. Erin and Lance walked in behind Mason and Benjamin. Adam had been told to stay in the truck, or he would make things worse, and the Mallards knew it, planned on it. 

Lance took Erin’s arm and guided her to a desk where a clerk was filling out what she assumed was her paperwork. Lance talked to the clerk and explained in legal terms the situation. Benjamin tried to interject with no success and Lance continued. The clerk filled out more papers and went to the back to make a phone call. They all sat there silently. When the clerk came back, she looked at Benjamin and Mason, then at Erin. What was that? 

“The bail is set at 5,000 dollars” she said flatly. 

Erin thought she was dreaming. 5000 dollars? Holy s**t. She looked over at Lance who was chuckling, but already writing the check. The surprise on not only the Mallard’s but the clerk's face caught Erin and Lance’s attention. 

“Oh, I’m sorry Mr. Mallard. I know it’s disappointing when one of your schemes doesn't pan out” Lance said, staring directly at Benjamin. 

Lance grabbed a copy of the paperwork and Erin’s arm and they were out the door headed to Adam, who was waiting outside. 

Erin felt like she had whiplash from how fast the events had unfolded in front of her. From seeing Mason, to having a criminal record, to being let go? It all seemed so insane. 

Adam embraced Erin as soon as she got in reach and she took a long breath. She didn’t cry. She didn’t lose it, she just let Adam hold her. 

They climbed in the back seat with Neal while Lance got in the passenger side. Everyone was silent after Lance explained what happened in the jailhouse to the men.

Erin took a deep breath, “I- I can’t even begin to apologize for this Mr. Graves. I never intended on anyone having to pay for my mistakes, I-” 

Erin was cut off not by Adam, Lance or James, but Neal. He was shaking his head and laughing while he spoke, “Erin. That bastard in there did this. Not you. He beat you to a pulp, where you were basically unrecognizable and then he had the nerve to press charges against you and step foot onto the ranch grounds. Stop apologizing for his behavior when you’re the one suffering the most. Don’t worry, we’ll handle him”. 

Everyone was silent after Neal spoke. Adam still had his arm wrapped tightly around Erin, but he gave Neal a look of gratitude.

“Thank you. All of you, for everything. I don’t know what to do next though. I can’t just run away anymore, he’ll… I know the Mallard’s well enough to know they won’t stop. What do I do?” Erin asked with a shaky voice. 

Adam had yet to speak until now, he looked at her, “We. We are going to your house; we’ll gather some of your things and talk to Ryan. Then we will go home. WE do not take lightly to being threatened, we don’t stop either” he said with numbing clarity. 

“Damn right” Neal followed.