Page 15 of Vengeful Lies

That was something he was going to see to.

If they hurt a hair on his daughter’s head, or that of Essie’s nanny, then he was going to make sure they suffered before they died.

Taking Essie was a mistake. It wasn't going to make him back off, it was going to make him come at them harder than he ever had before.

He wasn't going to be content just making sure these men regretted ever being born, he was going to do whatever he could to make sure their souls would suffer for all eternity.

September 2nd

12:23 P.M.

“Gabby, I have to go to the bathroom.”

The whimpered plea tugged at her heart. Essie was being so brave, doing everything she’d asked of her. She hadn't whined or complained, she’d cried a few times but had rallied every time Gabriella had suggested a new game.

But the little girl didn't belong there.

Essie should be at home, with the daddy she adored, preparing for her first day of kindergarten.

Instead, she was trapped in a windowless room, with no toys, change of clothes, bathroom, fresh air, and only what food Gabriella could pay for with …

Nope.

Not going there.

If she allowed herself to think about what had happened in the room that morning, she was going to lose it. And if she lost it then Essie would lose it, too.

The important thing was she’d walked away with as much food as she could fit in her arms. There were two loaves of bread, several apples, a jar of peanut butter, some granola bars, and ahuge bottle of water they would ration out for as long as they could.

While she hadn't been able to stomach eating anything, Essie had quickly devoured the breakfast Gabriella had made, and for a while that had perked up the little girl’s energy level. They’d chased each other around the room playing tag, then practiced some steps Essie had been learning at dance and gymnastics.

Tumbling around the room, it had been so easy to forget for a moment that they weren't in the family room at home. Sometimes they’d push all the furniture out of the way so they had an open space in the center of the family room and tumble and twirl around until they were both giggling. If he was home, sometimes Cade would join in, and seeing the huge, muscled man trying to do ballet turns, and cartwheels was hilarious.

Were those times gone for good?

She was doing her best, but she didn't have the skills or the knowledge of how to get Essie out of there.

“Gabby?” Essie tugged on her hand, and she wearily pushed to her feet, giving the girl a reassuring smile.

“I’ll go knock on the door and ask,” she replied. Since it had been well over twenty-four hours since she last ate, and she hadn't slept at all the previous night, her resources were depleted, and she was feeling it today.

“I don’t want you to leave me ‘gain,” Essie said, pressing close against her leg and clinging to her in a most unlike Esther Charleston kind of way. The little girl brimmed with confidence, she was the kind of kid who went to the park and left having made friends with every child and adult there. She always put her hand up to participate in the classes she took, was always happy to play teacher’s demonstrator, and excelled at everything she did.

This clingy little girl wasn't the child she knew, and her heart broke knowing that even if she survived this ordeal, Essie would never be the same again.

“I’ll do my best to stay right by your side,” she promised, not wanting to outright lie because she knew those men were going to want more from her if she wanted to protect Essie and she didn’t want the child to see that.

Already they knew her weakness, knew she could be manipulated, and she had no doubt they would exploit that weakness.

“’Kay,” Essie mumbled, clutching at her hand as she walked over to the door and knocked.

When no one immediately answered, she knocked again, louder this time, and called out. “Hello? We need to use the bathroom.”

Since they’d been allowed to go every other time she’d asked, she suspected mainly because one of the men seemed totally turned off by bodily fluids and didn't want them stinking the room up, she had no doubt they’d be allowed this time.

But this time would they want a payment?

How far were they going to go?

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