T/W: Domestic violence.

****

Everly wasn’t sure how to begin. She wanted  answers. Why had Jackson just left her? How did he end up involved with the local militia of Cannan? How could he even look himself in the mirror, every day, knowing what he’d done to her?

Everly opened the door and stepped out. Jackson stood directly in front of her, about six feet away. He looked considerably different since the last time she’d saw him. His blond hair was cut extremely short. Not quite a buzz cut, but close. He looked leaner, as though he’d been working out. His face, which at one time was kind, looking hard and cruel. His green eyes didn’t twinkle with teasing. Instead, they reminded Everly of two stones at the bottom of a frozen pond. Cold and hard, without any warmth to them.

Had Jackson always been this person and he’d just kept it hidden from her? Had she always bern so naive that she’d never noticed?

"Jackson?” Everly said loudly. He winced, almost as if it brought him pain to hear her speak his name, which only angered her further.

"Everly, what the hell are you still doing out here?” Everly’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes watered. It had been over two years since she’d heard the sound of his voice. It cut deep. Everly wanted to tear into him, really let him have it. But that would have to wait. Rafferty needed her more.

"Never mind that,” Everly snapped. “I want you and all your...men to leave immediately!"

“I can’t do that," Jackson growled.

"Why not? You certainly didn’t have any problems with leaving the last time.” Everly couldn’t miss the shock in Jackson’s eyes. She knew she’d hit deep. She didn’t care.

"I don’t want to see you harmed in any way, Everly. Just send Rafferty Greer out here and we’ll leave you in peace,” Jackson said.

"I don’t want to be left in peace, Jackson!” Everly shouted. “I've had enough peace to last me the rest of my life!"

“Don’t be so overly dramatic,” Jackson snapped.

"Why did you just leave me, Jackson? Didn’t you..love...me?” Everly’s resolve was crumbling. She had to know. She deserved an answer.

"We’re not discussing this, Everly,” Jackson growled. "Tell Rafferty to come out. Or I’ll storm in and shoot him on sight.”

***
Rafferty had heard enough. He was not going to just stand there and allow this asshole to disrespect Everly. (Even if he was her husband.) Rafferty snatched up a rifle and stormed out the front door, ready for a fight.

"Ah, Mr. Greer! How nice of you to join us.” Rafferty just smirked at Jackson and raised the rifle and pointed it at him.

"Now, now, Mr. Greer,” Jackson chastised him. “There’s no need to be so hostile.”

"Do not speak to me of hostility, Commander,” Rafferty said calmly. “When you and all your men planned to just gun me down in cold blood.”

"On the contrary, Mr. Greer,” Jackson said. “I was given orders to bring you in alive.” Rafferty laughed humorlessly.

"And since you’re such a good, little soldier, I know you’ll do just as you were told, right?”

"Don’t get smart with me, Greer!” Jackson snapped, losing his temper.

"Now, now,” Rafferty mocked, clucking his tongue. “There’s no need to get hostile.” Jackson swiftly removed a large, black Glock from his side, strode closer to Rafferty and placed the barrel flat against Rafferty’s forehead.

"Jackson, don’t!” Everly rushed forward, but one of the men grabbed her. “Jackson, please don’t! Please!” Everly was crying and it grated on Jackson’s nerves. Everly was his wife. And yet, here she was, crying her eyes out over some criminal. Jackson smirked.

"Go ahead, pretty boy. Start talking.”

"Jackson, stop! Please! I’m begging you.” Jackson lowered the gun, strode over to Everly, giving her a steely glare. He stared at her tear-streaked face. Then he raised his right hand and smacked her across the face. She looked stunned. Rafferty rushed to Everly, but Jackson swiftly turned, punching him straight in the face and dropping him.

"Take them both inside!” Jackson ordered. "Now!"

****
Rafferty was being guarded in the tiny, cramped living room by three guards, while Jackson and Everly were holed up in the bedroom. Rafferty didn’t like it. Especially not after the scene he’d witnessed. He had to force himself to not fly off the handle. He couldn’t believe that Jackson had struck Everly so readily.

Rafferty fidgeted impatiently, wishing Jackson would just return and they could be off. He didn’t want to leave Everly. He realized with a shock that he’d fallen in love with her. He couldn’t be certain if Everly felt the same way, but judging on how she’d reacted when Jackson threatened to...kill him, Rafferty thought that Everly might feel the same.

"How long do you think it’ll be before we’re headed back?” Rafferty asked.

"In a big hurry to occupy your cell?” One of the guard’s sneered.

"If it means not having to stare at your ugly mug, then hell yeah,” Rafferty shot back. The guard moved to Rafferty, back handing him.

"Keep a civil tongue, scumbag!”

"Ooh, are we doing the dirty talk already?” Rafferty snapped sarcastically. “I figured that wouldn’t happen until we were better acquainted.”

The guard moved to strike him again, but the other one stopped him.
“Just leave it, huh?” he growled. The guard scowled but moved away from Rafferty. Rafferty just grinned and gave the guy a wink before flipping him off.

***
“Just...go,” Everly told Jackson. He kept trying to explain why he’d left. And try to find out more about Rafferty. Everly felt sick to her stomach and feared she’d vomit at any moment.

"If it's any consultation, I did love you, Everly,” Jackson said softly. He reached out to caress her cheek, but she recoiled at his touch.

Don’t touch me!” Everly spat. She began to cough, wishing she could  vomit. All over her husband.

Jackson sighed.
“I apologize for striking you. I didn't want to." Everly whirled to face him. She was crying again. Was she always this emotional? Or had she turned into  a wet blanket since he’d left her?

"Then why did you? Huh? And how could you just up and leave me! It's as if I never meant shit to you!" Everly slapped Jackson, hard across the face. He automatically reached up, grabbing her by the wrist in an iron grip.

"Save me the theatrics!” Jackson snarled. Everly yanked her arm free.

"Were you always such a monster?” she snapped. “Or did joining the militia just bring it out?” Jackson slapped Everly again.

"Don't you ever call me a monster, do you understand me?”

"I’m your wife!” Everly shouted. "You can’t just order me to do whatever you want!” Jackson moved closer and closer to Everly until he had her backed up against the bedroom wall. She was trembling, but held her ground by refusing to break eye contact.

"Yes,” Jackson growled softly. “You’re  my wife. So quit interfering and defending that criminal, Rafferty Greer.  And you'll keep your damn mouth shut when I drag him off for his execution!"

"Over my dead body,” Everly snapped.

Jackson sighed. "Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be, Everly. Rafferty Greer will be punished severely for his crimes.”

"What crimes? Losing some stupid provisions? That wasn’t his fault!” Jackson grinned wickedly.

"Oh, Everly. You’re so naive. Losing the shipment was only the tip of the iceberg. Rafferty Greer is nothing more than common scum.”

"Don’t you dare talk about him that way! He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be!” Jackson struck Everly again and again and again, though it did little to appease his temper.

"You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” When Everly didn’t reply, Jackson grabbed her by the arms roughly and shook her.

"He’s my friend!” Everly gasped.

Jackson abruptly released her. "Not for much longer. He’ll be dead by tomorrow evening.”

***
Rafferty had heard the slaps coming from the bedroom and he had to use everything in him to not rush in there and start beating the crap out of Jackson Sloane.

When they finally exited the bedroom, Everly’s face was bright red and it only angered Rafferty more. Jackson strode over to one of the men, leaned in and whispered something to him.

"Yes, sir,” the guard replied and left the house.

"We will be leaving in a few minutes, Mr. Greer. Say whatever goodbye you intend to.”

Rafferty shot Jackson an absolutely poisonous look as he stood to go to Everly.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Rafferty asked as he took Everly’s hands in his own. She gave him a wobbly smile, but Rafferty could tell she was struggling not to cry.

"He did. But I’ll be okay. Don’t you worry about me,” Everly said.

"I’m not leaving here,” Rafferty murmured in Everly’s ear.

"You don’t have a choice, Rafferty. It’s just better this way,” Everly said. She pulled her hands free from Rafferty’s and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him.

"I’ll never forget you, Rafferty Greer." Everly whispered in his ear. "You were my saving grace.” Rafferty put his arms around Everly as well, making a point to look directly at Jackson when he did.

He smirked and he could practically see the smoke coming out of Jackson Sloane’s ears. It was oddly satisfying.

"Ill never forget you, either, Everly,” Rafferty whispered. Just as they pulled apart, a horrifying scream pierced the air. Everly pressed up against the wall, recognizing the sound. The Grunds had discovered them all.