Page 28 of Vengeful Lies

“The bad men shouldn’t hit. It’s wrong to hit people,” Essie said like she was highly offended that these men would forget such a simple rule.

“It is,” she agreed. Using what strength she had left, Gabriella reached out and wrapped an arm around the little girl’s shoulders, urging her to lie down and snuggle close. Regardless of what she’d endured these last few days, she was grateful that the men hadn't killed her outright on the street when they’d abducted Essie. At least she’d been able to protect the child a little bit, and she prayed she could hold out long enough for Cade to find them so Essie never experienced what she had at the hands of their captors.

“I wouldn't hit people,” Essie said as she stretched out on the ground and tucked herself close.

“I know you wouldn't, because you're a good girl.”

“My daddy … does he hit people?”

Reaching out to grasp the child’s chin, Gabriella tilted it up until they looked in each other’s eyes. “Your daddy doesn’t hit people, cuddle bug. Sometimes when someone hits you first it’s okay to hit back to protect yourself. That’s like what your daddy does. He protects people who are being hurt.”

“Like you gotted hurt.”

“Yeah, sweetie.”

“Then why doesn’t Daddy come?” Essie asked, sounding frustrated.

“He will, baby.”

“I want him to come now.”

“Me too, Es, me too.”

Together they lay side by side, and Gabriella, although she did her best to stay awake and keep watch over the little girl, succumbed to exhaustion and dozed in fitful slumber until she heard someone unlocking the door to their room.

When the men came in uninvited it meant only one thing.

Something bad was coming.

Rolling Essie up and over her body, Gabriella grunted in pain but didn't stop until she had the little girl between herself and the wall. It was the only protection she could offer right now, and it wasn't much but she was ready to accept another beating rather than watch Essie get hurt.

The door opened and she blinked.

Positive she was hallucinating.

Had to be.

Because there was no way this was real.

Only the figure in the door didn't shimmer out of sight.

Instead, he ran toward her and dropped onto his knees at her side.

There was so much fear, regret, anger, and guilt swirling in the brown eyes that looked down at her.

Tenderness too.

And affection.

A hand palmed her cheek, fingertips caressed her skin for the briefest of seconds before he reached behind her and snatched up the little girl.

“Daddy!” Essie shrieked in delight as she wrapped her arms around her father’s neck.

Cade sank to his backside beside her, holding his daughter on his lap, rocking her from side to side as the little girl clung to him. Gabriella could have sworn she saw a couple of tears tumble down her gruff boss’ cheeks.

“You came,” Essie babbled. “I wanted you to come. You took too long though, Daddy. The bad men hurted Gabby. Did you hit them? Hitting is wrong but Gabby said that if someone hurts you then you got to protects yourself. She said that you only hits bad people who hitted other people firsts and that’s okay.”

Barking out a laugh at his daughter’s rambled monologue, Cade buried his face in her hair and held her tight a moment longer. Then he surprised her by shifting Essie to balance on one leg, then with his other arm he very carefully tucked it around her shoulders and eased her up. Once she was sitting, he dragged her onto his lap and locked both arms around her and his daughter.

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