So another chapter is up! And, can I just say I feel as rusty as a tin can? But I'm loving this so much. I have missed this creative release in my life. It felt so great to get lost in Scarlett and Rhett's world again. Thank you so much to all who took the time to review, they were just what I needed to continue on. Btw, if I have any typos please overlook them, lol. I love hearing feedback good or bad, so please, please, please review!

The Journey Home

Chapter Forty-Four

Revenge Is Not So Sweet

"It's done.

"Does she have any idea?"

"None. He doesn't either. I wouldn't be standing here if he did."

"I don't want my name so much as uttered. I'll keep giving you orders, you keep following them. I don't want anything going wrong."

Cain gave a nod and lifted back the rest of his drink. He grimaced for a moment and slid the glass on the table. "Nothing will go wrong. We'll both walk away with what we want."

"You can't begin to comprehend what I want, but you'll be well compensated as usual."

"Yeah," Cain nodded again and lifted the bottle before setting it back down. "Next time get a better brand of whiskey, this rot guts gonna kill you."

Rhett lifted his booted feet to rest on top of his desk as he leaned back in his chair, but not before slicing a match on the bottom of one to light his cigarillo. He drew in deep sending a halo of smoke around his head. Contentment showed on his rugged features. He never thought he would feel this way again.

Scarlett had left him only hours before and already he was missing her. Laughing at himself, he drew on the cigarillo again and casually spit out a piece of tobacco from his tongue.

He had promised himself to try and get some work done. He had come down to the sanctuary of his office after she had left but columns of figures and letter writing were the last thing on his mind. He wanted Scarlett back in his arms where he could touch her and make love to her again as they had done all through the night.

He wasn't a fool, he meant what he had said about it not being easy to wipe away the past, but somehow all of that didn't seem to matter as much as he had once thought. Perhaps she was right, perhaps they could start new and make it be as should have been from the beginning.

A light tap at the door broke into his thoughts. "Yes," he called out to whoever was on the other side of the door.

Darcy opened it and came in halfway, a concerned look on her face. "May I speak with you?" she asked him.

"Of course, come in," Rhett bid her in. He slid his boots from the desk and leaned forward, motioning for her take one of the two seats directly in front of him.

"I don't want to disturb you, but I feel I must speak with you," she explained as she sat down.

"Alright," he nodded in concern. "What is it?"

"Well, I just returned from town. I had to run a few errands and… and well, see someone and so I decided to stop by the store to visit with Scarlett since she left before I could speak with her this morning. But she wasn't there, nor had she been there."

Rhett smiled in relief, "No worries, Darcy. Scarlett is a very busy woman, she probably will make several stops before she finally makes it to the store."

"You could be right, but it's so unlike her. I know I haven't been here that long, but Scarlett is a creature of habit. She always goes to the store first thing and then runs her other errands afterwards."

"That's true, but I wouldn't worry. Trying to keep up with Scarlett is like trying to keep up with the wind," he said leaning back in his chair again.

"I suppose you're right. It's just that you and Scarlett have been so kind to me, I feel as if you're my family. I worry about her riding around on her own and with the baby coming…"

"Yes, well, I fully understand you're concern and if I thought it would do any good I would talk to her about it, but Scarlett is a determined and resolute woman. However, with the child coming perhaps I should insist that Simon be with her everywhere she goes whether she likes it or not."

"I think that's a marvelous idea but I would appreciate it if you didn't mention that I spoke with you. I wouldn't want to have her upset with me for stepping into her personal business."

Shaking his head, Rhett assured her he wouldn't say anything. "I'll be sure to make it appear as if it's my idea."

"Thank you, Mr. Butler," Darcy started to stand but Rhett detained her.

"I believe you can call me Rhett," he teased her. "We're friends and friends aren't quite as formal as all that."

Darcy smiled again, "I would like that, Rhett."

"And as a friend, I can't help but be curious about you and Ashley Wilkes. Are you really interested in him as Scarlett seems to think?" Blushing profusely, Darcy's mouth slightly fell open at Rhett's inquiry. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you," he smiled at her reaction, "but as you pointed out we're like family and I feel as if I'm responsible for you."

"Well, I… I…" Darcy stammered and then bit her lip. "I like Mr. Wilkes as a friend and we have talked yes, mostly about his son. But as for anything else, I'm not sure it's appropriate to discuss it."

"Come now, Darcy, we're friends as we've just established. I have only your best interests at heart. If you're to start a relationship with Ashley Wilkes I would like to know that."

"Mr. Butler… Rhett, I'm not sure of anything at this point. We both have lost so much and sometimes I feel as if James is still alive, even though I know he's not. I still dream of him. But, Mr. Wilkes understands this more than most, as his lost is like my own."

Rhett nodded in understanding. "His wife was one of the most lovely and kindest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was a truly wonderful woman. You are much like her, Darcy."

"Thank you," she replied. "I've heard so much about her."

"I won't lie to you and tell you I have the same feelings for Ashley Wilkes. He and I have never seen eye to eye and… well, it goes much deeper than that. I have never much cared for him or him for me."

"I wondered about that. There does seem to be tension when you two are in the room, but please, don't think I'm prying. I wouldn't dream of speculating. It's really none of my business."

Rhett lifted the cigarillo and drew on it once more. "Our history is very intertwined, but if you wish to see him far be it from me to stand in your way. As it is, I'll let you make up your own mind and decide what's right for you. I wish you only happiness, Darcy."

"Thank you, Rhett," she smiled softly.

"Well, I am not going to get any work done today so I think I will go meet my wife when she finally comes to the store. Care to join me?"

"Yes," Darcy brightened. "I would like that very much."

Scarlett paced the small room like a caged animal. She thought she was going to scream from her frustration. The man who held her here had brought her a small forage of food supplies to keep in the little kitchen attached the room. She had already eaten and now she was left to wonder her fate.

Why had this happened and now of all times! She could hardly believe the state of affairs in which she found herself. She, Scarlett O'Hara Butler, a prisoner for ransom. It had to be some colossal joke, but unfortunately it wasn't.

And Eli… Eli, her stalwart friend, her protector and comforter had been a party to it all. How could he? Why would he do this to her? Had he known this all along? Had this been his plan? Her mind was racing with questions she had no answers to.

A commotion outside of the door broke into her thoughts. Suddenly the door burst open and there stood a man she had not seen before. He was tall and broad and he looked meaner than the other men she had seen earlier. No, this man was nothing like the others and for the first time, Scarlett truly felt fear.

"Well, well, looky here," he drawled slowly as he shut the door behind him. "Look what we done caught."

"Who are you?" she demanded, stepping back from him.

"Never mind about who I am, but I know who you are and I been waitin' to get you here. I hear you're a real wildcat."

What a vile and horrible man! Scarlett quickly moved behind one of the chairs and gripped it tightly. If he made one move toward her she would hit him with it as hard as she could manage. The man smiled nastily as he slid his gaze over her. It was then that he noticed her condition.

"Got a little bun in the oven, huh?" he sneered toward her.

"If you lay one finger on me I'll kill you!" she threatened him with as much force as she could muster. He laughed then and started a slow move around the table. Scarlett moved as well, never taking her eyes off of him as she did.

"Just how you gonna manage that?"

"Don't come near me!" she shouted at him. "I mean it."

"Scream all you want, ain't nobody gonna come in here," he pronounced boldly. "It's just you and me, little darlin'."

Scarlett's heart was pounding loudly in her chest as she backed away from him and into the little kitchen. She wildly glanced around the small area for some sort of weapon. The only thing she saw was the utensils she had used earlier, one of which was a small knife. She grabbed it and held it front of her. "I will use this if you don't leave me alone! I'm not afraid of you!"

The man laughed again. "You got spirit, I'll give you that. I like a woman with spirit, gives a man something to look forward to."

"You're disgusting!"

"You won't think so when I'm through with you."
Just then, the door opened and both of their attention swung to it. Eli came in and assessed the situation quickly. "What in the hell are you doing here?" he stormed toward the other man who held up his hand as Eli approached.

"Whoa there, Elijah, you better take it on outta here. This here's my business."

"No, this is my business," Eli pointed at him. "And you're the one who's going to get out of here."

The man smirked, but his composure stiffened at Eli's demeanor. "You ain't calling the shots around here. I don't answer to you."

"You do now," Eli countered without wavering.

"You're taking a mighty big chance, Elijah. You sure you want to do that?"

Eli placed a hand on the gun strapped to his side and stared down hard at the man. "Strom, you better get out of here while you can still can. She is under MY protection and you better not forget it."

"And you better not forget who you're talking to, boy."

"I haven't forgotten, but don't think I'm not man enough to take you on. I'm telling you, you better stay away from her or it will be the last thing you'll ever do."

Scarlett, still holding the knife, looked back and forth between Eli and the man she now knew was called Strom. After a few tense moments, it seemed as if Strom took Eli at his words. He wasn't pleased with the turn of events and he made sure to let Eli know this.

"I ain't gonna forget this, Elijah. You don't cross me and get by with it. This score will be settled sometime or another."

"Anytime you need reminding just let me know. I'd be happy to oblige you, Strom."

Strom glared at him as he walked slowly to the door. "You remember what I said, boy, this ain't over."

When the door shut behind him, Eli turned to Scarlett and saw the knife she held. He slowly reached for it as he approached her. "It's alright, you can let me have that."

She wanted to let go, but her grip was so tight that she couldn't. Her fingers were wrapped so firmly around the handle that her knuckles were white. Eli placed his hand over hers and gently pried her fingers loose. When he had taken it from her, she began to shake.

"Scarlett, it's okay, you're safe now," he started but it wasn't enough. Once the shaking began, Scarlett lost what little control she had left. She let out a small cry and covered her face with her hands. Eli was instantly at her side and she fell against him in spite of herself.

"Shhh," he soothed her and held her trembling body next to his. "You're okay, you're safe."

"No," she let out a muffled cry. "No, I'm not! I'm not at all safe! I want to go home. I want Rhett!"

Eli closed his eyes and held her tighter. "I know you do, I know. It'll be over soon, I promise."

"I don't understand anything that's happened," she cried as she shook her head. "I'm tired of all this. I'm tired and I want to go home!"

"And you will, very soon. But Scarlett, you have to trust me. You have to listen to me and do everything I say. Do you understand?"

"No!" she tried to shove him away. "I don't trust you, not anymore! You helped them take me, you let them bring me here against my will. I hate and despise you, Eli!"

Eli gripped her arms and brought her up to him. "Scarlett, listen to me! I will explain everything to you, but you must calm down. I won't let anything happen to you, but you have to do everything I tell you. It's very important not only for your sake, but for Rhett's."

"Rhett?" she breathed and felt herself go numb. "What about Rhett?"

Eli shook his slowly. "This isn't only about money, Scarlett. This is about revenge. This is about an eye for an eye, only with my brother it's more than that. Rhett had a part in his capture at Jonesboro and now Cain is going after him for it. The worst part is, you're the bait."

"Oh God," Scarlett felt her legs go out beneath her. Eli instantly caught her and helped her to the little bed, gently setting her back on it. "Not Rhett," she shook her head in denial. Eli bent down in front of her and took her cold hands in his own.

"That's why I need you to trust me," Eli continued. "It's the only way Rhett will come out of this alive."