Left unsaid was the fact that Donovan’s weakness only extended to Eve’s siblings and not her, and Rusty knew that was absolutely untrue. But how to get Eve to see that? What the hell had gone wrong? How could she so horribly misunderstand Rusty’s brother? Couldn’t she see the man was not only in love with Cammie and Travis but Eve as well?
“It’s what everyone says—what everyone knows,” Eve continued before Rusty could protest. “Children are his weakness. His Achilles’ heel. And I was just the means—collateral damage—to get what he really wanted. Children. A family. One that doesn’t include me.”
She broke off, grief choking her words, and Rusty could see her fighting tears with her every breath.
“That’s crazy! Donovan would damn well protect you too!” Rusty said fiercely. “If you gave him the chance. It’s not just those kids he wants, Eve. He wants you too!”
Eve held up a hand after securing the knot around Rusty’s ankles. “Don’t! Just don’t. You’ll only defend him, and his actions are indefensible. You’d side with him. I’d expect you to. He’s your family—your brother. I’m not. I know where your loyalty lies and it’s not—and shouldn’t be—with me.”
“Bullshit!” Rusty snapped. “I’ll help you. Whatever you need, Eve. We’ll work this out. Let me help you if you won’t let Donovan. But you taking off like this is not the answer and you know it! You’re scared shitless. You don’t want to hurt me. You sure as hell don’t want to shoot me. You keep apologizing, for Christ’s sake. Hardened criminal you aren’t, and you sure as hell aren’t mentally unstable. That’s bullshit and I don’t believe it for a minute.”
Eve’s expression saddened and the anger left as she gazed thoughtfully at Rusty.
“Even if I thought I could trust you, I couldn’t—wouldn’t—put you in any danger. You’re right, Rusty. You were kind to Travis and I’ll always appreciate that. You have a good heart, but I can’t let you help me. It’s too dangerous. My stepfather would kill you without thought. And as I said, your loyalty belongs to your family. Not me.”
“That’s bullshit!” Rusty repeated, frustration grinding her jaw until her teeth ached from it. “No matter what you think you know, there is no way Donovan would throw you under the bus like you’re saying he has. No fucking way! What can I say to make you believe that? If you won’t believe in him, will you at least believe in me? You have to trust someone, Eve. Nobody can make it alone. We all need someone at some point. God, I learned that lesson the hard way, and thank God the Kellys were too stubborn to let me throw their kindness back in their faces.”
Eve smiled faintly as she wound the rope around Rusty’s wrists, tying her hands behind her back. Rusty craned her neck, staring up at Eve, looking for any sign that she was getting through to her. God, she couldn’t let Eve walk out that door and into God only knew what kind of hell awaited her.
“I wish Donovan were as admirable as you in his loyalty,” she said sadly. “Donovan is only loyal to his cause and his interests. And in this case, his interest is in my brother and sister. He’s ruthless. Oh yes, he’s utterly ruthless when it comes to protecting what he considers his. I could admire that if it weren’t aimed at me and at my expense. It’s the only reason I’m leaving Cammie and Travis with him. I can’t protect them. God, I wish I could. I’d do whatever I could to ensure their safety and well-being. But I can’t. You’re right that everyone needs someone. And Travis and Cammie need him. I do know he cares about them and he’ll protect them from Walt. Even if he sacrifices me in the process. And that hurts, but it’s at least a relief that he’s willing—and able—to take care of them when I can’t.”
She went silent a long moment as she finished securing the bonds around Rusty’s hands and feet. Then she stood, reaching for the money bag on the counter.