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“Okay, I’ll stay out here just for a while and make sure Molly’s okay.”

She turned quickly and, still needing to be close to him, pressed a firm kiss beside his mouth. “Sleep well, we’ll talk in the morning.”

Chapter 21

Joe

Joe found some stronger painkillers in the bathroom cupboard, so he took three, drank two glasses of water, and crashed into bed, avoiding hitting his bad shoulder. He drifted straight off to sleep with a smile on his face, but woke suddenly to a loud pounding on the front door, not sure how long he’d been asleep.

“Who the hell could that be?” He dragged himself out of bed and reached the hall at the same time as Violet. She was in her PJs, and her face was dead white as fear filled her eyes.

“What the hell are you doing, you stupid bitch?” An aggressive voice was followed by more pounding. “I know you’re in there. I saw you through the window.”

As Joe reached the end of the hall, he held Violet back. “Get behind me.” He didn’t know if it was the painkillers or adrenaline that surged from the need to protect Violet that had taken his pain away.

“Unlock the friggin door, you stupid woman. How dare you bloody leave me. Thought you were a clever bitch, didn’t you?”

Joe stepped forward and turned to Violet. “Go to the kitchen. Make sure the back door is locked. I’ll deal with this,” he said. “I’m assuming this is your ex-boss.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and her face pale. She nodded and confirmed his suspicion was correct.

Joe took a deep breath, trying to clear his fuzzy head. “Look, mate. I don’t know how you found your way here, but I’m warning you. You’ve got about ten seconds to get back into your car and get off my property again, or I’ll be calling the police.”

“Who the hell are you?” the bloke said.

“I’m the owner of this property, and you’re trespassing. I suggest you leave straight away. I also suggest that you leave Bindarra Creek and don’t show your face here again because if I ever see you in there, I’ll knock your block off, mate. You leave Violet alone. I’ve heard enough about you to know that she can press charges.”

“Bullshit, you can.”

“Don’t worry, she has evidence.”

The guy’s belligerence faded. “And who the hell are you? She’s shacked up with you already. Always knew she had no morals.”

“Ten seconds,” Joe said. “Get off my property.”

All was quiet and then the sound of a car roaring down the drive reached them.

“What a charmer,” Joe said as he held his arms open to Violet. She fell against his chest and buried her head on his shoulder. She was trembling uncontrollably, and dragging in short sharp breaths.

“It’s okay, he’s gone, and I won’t let him hurt you.”

“How did he find me?” she said.

“Your sister, maybe.”

“No, she didn’t know where I was when he went there.”

“It’s strange, unless someone in town made a connection and let him know.”

“I know who it must have been.” Violet looked up at him, her dark brown eyes huge in her pale face. “Jake must have said something to Emma’s dad. He and Brian were great pub mates. And Brian was in Sydney when I left. He must have called around everywhere.” Her voice broke. “I knew he wouldn’t give up. He couldn’t handle rejection.”

“It’s okay now.” Joe kept his voice low and soothing.

“I told Emma why I left and she said she’d always known what Brian was like. And I know she wouldn’t have told Jake why I’d left because he never saw Brian for what he was. Brian can be such a charmer when there’s an audience. Mr Smooth.” Her breath hitched on another sob.

“I heard what he’s like. And I heard his threats. He’s gone now.” Joe held her close until her trembling eased.

Violet shook her head from side to side. “No, you don’t know him. He won’t give up. He won’t leave me alone.”