Chapter 14: Better to be Loved than Feared
Belle's head rolled back and forth; she felt her body, in its relaxed state, shuddering with the movement of the bumpy ride. Her eyes reluctantly fluttered open. Sitting across from her in a lush stagecoach, eyes out the window and head resting on his open palm, was Joey. So she hadn't been dreaming. He had kidnapped her. She was reliving the hits she'd taken at his hands, wincing slightly at the pain that echoed on her face. She was about to start faking sleep again, just to avoid talking to him, when he turned and looked at her, his eyes filling with admiration and distress.
"Hello, darling. How are you feeling?" His voice was soft, his features dark in the setting sun. He reached out a hand to stroke her face and she winced away slightly.
"I've been better, thank you." She scooted closer to the opposite corner, though it caused her some discomfort. She folded her arms across her chest defiantly and turned her head to the window, letting him get a full view of the bruise he'd caused.
He sighed and returned to his own corner. "Belle, sweetheart, you must understand I didn't mean to do it. You were just being so difficult." His voice was full of stress. "This marriage to that…that…incomprehensible rogue…Your mind has not been in the right place since you left home, I fear."
Belle scoffed at him, her gaze returning to his, her eyes burning in hate and fear. "And how long has your mind been in the wrong place? Have you always been this cruel when not getting your way? You behaved like a little boy, unhappy with something his mother had told him and throwing a tantrum."
The look of concern melted to one of rage. "You're my woman. We made an agreement. You will honor it." The way he looked at her told her that he thought the matter closed.
She smiled. "Unfortunately, you are mistaken. I am Vin's love, his life, his woman. And he will be coming for me. And you will regret it when he does."
She returned her gaze to the scenery outside the coach as they started to enter a small town. If she knew Joey's sense of propriety like she knew she did, he'd be pulling the coach over soon and renting a room for the night. He may be angry with her, but he would do whatever he could to win her back. He still had hope for them.
Vin, Nathan, and Chris rode in near silence. The only conversation was when the other two asked for clarifications from Vin or when they tried to decide which route the coach would take. It was nearing sunset and Vin was deliberating what they should do, keep riding or settle in and wait for the sun, when they started seeing the outline of a small town up ahead. Surely, it couldn't be that easy; surely, they'd have to go farther to find her.
Vin's heart leaped when he saw the coach he'd noticed outside Belle's that afternoon was pulling around a corner to park for the night. The three riders rode up to the front of a nearby hotel, Nathan hurrying to help Vin off his mount. They tied up their rides and entered the building. Vin limped up to the counter and tipped his hat to the man behind the counter.
"Evenin'," he muttered. "We're here lookin' for a criminal. Kidnapped a girl from Four Corners this afternoon. Tall. Blonde. Very proper. Anyone matching his description come in?"
The man was about to answer when Vin heard a girl scream. It was Belle, he knew it. Forgetting his leg, he turned and raced up the stairs and up to the second floor.
"Joey, no. Stop it!" There were loud crashes and the sound of scurrying feet.
Vin, Nathan and Chris in tow, walked up to the room the sounds were coming from and hastily tried the knob. Locked. Normally, he would have kicked in the door, but with his leg being in such bad shape, he looked to his friends. Chris rolled his eyes, but obliged. The door shattered and banged open. The scene it revealed was unpleasant: Belle, with a nice bruise on her cheek, was sprawled on the floor, her dress torn to shreds, fear in her eyes, and some fresh bruises starting to purple on her arms. Joey looked like a wild man, his hair out of place, and clothes half off. Vin's anger welled up inside of him.
"The lady asked you to leave her be," he said, his voice dark and quiet, a dangerous combination that Joey was not familiar with but Belle had heard him use before.
"This is none of your concern, cowboy," Joey seethed, taking a step toward the door. "She needs to be taught some respect. Be put in her place." He took another step. "Kindly see your way out."
Chris stepped between the two men. "We have a warrant for your arrest. Now you can either come easily or we can make you come."
Joey laughed. "Let's see you try."
Joey reached for his belt, clearly going for his gun. Chris was faster, shooting the man through the chest before he had time to think. He stumbled backward, and fell to the floor, blood gushing from his body. He put a hand to the wound, staring down at it in disbelief.
Belle, still crying, ran over to Vin and wrapped her arms around him. She didn't want to think about what would have happened if Vin hadn't shown up when he did. She'd mouthed off one too many times, telling Joey what a vile, worm of a man he truly was, how she couldn't believe her parents had been so deceived, how she would love to expose him for the arrogant scoundrel he was. He'd gotten so mad, he had threatened to hit her again. She had shrunk away, but stared at him defiantly.
"Do what you want. You can't hurt me anymore than you already have."
His smile had turned sadistic. "We'll see about that."
He'd been going to rape her. And he'd made sure to bribe the clerk, to make sure they were undisturbed. She cried harder into Vin's chest and he squeezed her tightly. This was worse than the incident with Connelly. She hadn't cried then. She'd been resourceful and strong. She hadn't needed him. This time, however, was different. This had scared her. Maybe she did need his protection after all.
Joey stared at them, drawing his last few shaky breaths. His eyes were dewy with unshed tears. He wore a look of shock and disbelief. "Belle," he moaned softly. "Why?"
Belle turned and looked at him. "Because you're not my one and only. I tried to tell you." She looked down at her feet, her eyes sad and tears still staining her cheeks. "I'm sorry."
Joey's voice laughed hollowly. "I'm sure." Then he was gone.
Belle stared up at Vin. "I didn't mean for him to turn out this way. I didn't mean it."
Vin shushed her and hugged her again. "It's not your fault. You thought he knew it was over when you moved to Four Corners. It's not your fault."
Vin was weakening by the minute and Belle wasn't faring much better. They decided to wait until the next day to head for home, so everyone could rest. It had been a long and trying day.
Chris pulled Vin aside as Nathan investigated Belle's wounds. "Know we weren't supposed to shoot him," he shrugged, "but it was self-defense."
Vin smiled softly. "Wish I could say I was happy it hadn't been me doin' the shootin', but I couldn't agree more." He looked over at Belle and caught her gaze, causing her face to glow.
Chris clapped him on the back. "You better make that girl yours soon, or someone else will."
Vin nodded. He didn't need to be told twice.