Page 12 of Vengeful Lies

This was what he did, and it was his daughter.

“I’m sorry, cuddle bug,” she whispered as she smoothed a sleeping Essie’s braids.

Because there was no furniture, nowhere comfortable for them to sleep, and no coverings in the chilled room, she’dstripped off the light jacket she’d been wearing, and the sundress she’d thrown on over her swimsuit, and used them as bedding for the child. It left her chilled but at least she had Essie’s warm body snuggled in her arms.

Safe.

“I’ll try to keep her safe for you, Cade. I promise I’ll do my best.”

While she did her best not to make it obvious, she was hopelessly in love with Cade Charleston. Watching how he was with his daughter was like watching the sunshine come out on a cloudy day. That gruff expression he usually wore disappeared, and he wasn't embarrassed to get dressed up like a fairy princess, have makeup parties, or pretend to be a unicorn that Essie could ride.

He was loyal and protective of those he loved. The way he’d stepped up to help care for his younger siblings after their parents’ deaths, the way he fought to get justice for his mom, even how he was with her. Although he could be a grumpypants, he paid her well, didn't treat her like the help, and was respectful even when all she wanted him to do was haul her into his arms and kiss her like she’d dreamed about so many times.

But he could never be hers.

Not really.

And one day he wouldn't need help with Essie anymore.

Already the little girl would be starting school, and soon, she would be old enough to take care of herself. Cade would still travel sometimes for Prey and Essie would need to be looked after during that time, but three of Cade’s brothers had fallen in love and would no doubt be looking to start families. That meant there would be plenty of people who could take her in when her dad was away.

No matter how badly she wished it wasn't true, the reality was that she wasn't a part of the Charleston Holloway family.

Time was running out for her as much as she’d been pretending it wasn't, and she didn't know what her life was going to look like without Essie and Cade in it.

“Gabby?” Essie’s sleepy voice focused her thoughts on the little girl depending on her.

“Right here, cuddle bug,” she said, touching a kiss to Essie’s forehead, so very glad the men had taken her, too, so this little girl wasn't all alone.

“I'm hungry,” Essie complained, opening her big, gray eyes. “And I miss Daddy, and Winkie-Bear.”

“I know you do.” She wished so desperately that there was something she could do, but unfortunately, she couldn’t fix any of those problems. She had no food and no way of getting the child back home where she belonged.

“Maybe we can play a game, distract you from that grumbly tumbly,” she teased, pasting on a smile, and tickling Essie’s tummy, managing to get a giggle out of her. At least she’d been able to keep the little girl occupied the day before by playing game after game. They also sang songs, and Gabriella had weaved stories for the child. When it reached Essie’s bedtime, she’d sung the girl to sleep just like she usually did.

Sometimes, when she was sitting on the edge of Essie’s bed, singing to her Cade would come and stand in the doorway, listening. When they put her to bed together, he’d always sit back after he’d read his daughter a story and waited for her to sing.

At first, she used to get self-conscious. She was an okay singer but nothing special, still the way he looked at her … she could have sworn the love she felt for him wasn't quite as unrequited as she believed.

“Can we do thumb wars?” Essie asked, perking up, her rumbling tummy forgotten as she held out her hand.

“Course we can.” Gabriella sat up, too, crossing her legs as she faced the little girl, but before they could start, the door to their room was opened, and two of the men she recognized from the abduction stood there eyeing her up like she was a piece of meat.

“Morning,” one of them drawled, his heated gaze roaming her barely covered body. Since she was dressed in only her swimsuit and it was cold in there, she knew her nipples were pebbled. Both men stared at her chest, and the one who hadn't spoken ran his tongue along his bottom lip.

“Thought you might want to come and get some breakfast,” tongue man spoke.

While his words sounded innocent enough, his expression had nausea churning in her stomach. But she had to get food for Essie and take care of the child. It was her job, but more than that, she loved the little girl.

Slowly she stood, fighting against the fear that urged her to grab Essie and run. That wasn't going to work though, so she locked her knees together, forced a smile to her lips, and faced Essie. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

“I don’t want you to go,” Essie said, her fear evident.

“It’s going to be okay, cuddle bug. I’m just going to get us some breakfast.” Infusing confidence and calm into her tone worked, and Essie gave her a nod, her fingers clutching at the jacket she’d used as a blanket.

“Pinkie swear?” Essie asked.

Leaning down she held up her pinkie. “Pinkie swear.”

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