Page 52 of Vengeful Lies

“Alive,” Connor confirmed.

Tears blurred her vision. “Is he okay?”

His smile dipped a little but didn't disappear altogether. “He’s got a nasty wound on his leg, and he’s lost a bit of blood. Coop said he’s also got lots of bruises and some smaller cuts, but he’s not going to die.”

“Can I speak to him?” Knowing he was alive wasn't the same thing as hearing his voice, hearing him tell her himself, maybe then she could actually believe it.

“He’s unconscious at the moment, but they have an ambulance on the way, and we can meet up with them at the hospital,” Connor told her.

Unconscious.

So not that okay after all.

The tremors wracking her body increased, and she saw concern in Connor’s gray eyes. They all knew, her included, that she wasn't okay. Just like they all knew she’d been pretending that she was both for Essie’s benefit and so that everybody’s focus could remain on searching for Cade. She wasn't eating or sleeping, she was running on fear and adrenalin, and it wasn't sustainable.

Sooner or later, she was going to crash.

But not today.

Today was a day for celebrating.

“Yes, I want to go to the hospital. I’ll call Essie on the way and tell her that her daddy is coming home, but I won't tell her he’s hurt. I don’t want her to worry until she can see him for herself.”

“Cole called Jake while Cooper called me, so they’ll know and be waiting for you to tell Essie. They’ll keep her occupied, and once Cade is awake, they can bring her to the hospital.”

Together the three of them rushed through the building and into Connor’s car. As soon as they were on the way Gabriella pulled out her phone. She knew how worried Essie was about her daddy, and she didn't want the child to worry a second longer than she had to.

Since Cole had called Jake, she called Jax just in case Jake was still on the phone. He picked up almost immediately.

“Hey, Gabs, you calling to tell Essie the good news?”

“Yeah. Is she okay?” Leaving the little girl this morning hadn't been easy, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She couldn’t help but feel the whole kidnapping was her fault. After all, she was the one who had insisted on keeping Essie’s routine as normal as possible. So she had a duty to do whatever she could to help find Cade and bring him home.

“She’s fine. Beating the socks off us at Mario Kart,” Jax replied.

That made her chuckle. “She’s four, the only reason she’s beating you and Jake is because you're amazing uncles who like to build her confidence by letting her win.”

“Kid’s got lots of natural talent, she could definitely be a race car driver when she grows up.”

“Cade would just love that.” Actually, he wouldn't care what Essie wanted to do with her life so long as she was happy. He was a good dad who would support his daughter in anything shewanted to do. How different her own life might have turned out if either of her parents had been like Cade.

Jax chuckled. “He’d be the proudest dad around. I’ll get messy Essie for you.”

“I'm not messy, Uncle Jax.” Essie huffed in the background, making Gabriella smile.

“Hey, cuddle bug,” she said a moment later.

“Gabby, I miss you, I want you to come home,” Essie said.

“I miss you, too, sweetie. So much, but I have the very best news to tell you.”

“Daddy is coming home?” the little girl asked hopefully.

“Yep, he is! I’m just going to see him right now, and then in a bit, Uncle Jake and Uncle Jax will bring you to see him.”

“I want to go now.”

“I know you do, cuddle bug. But remember how after we got away from the bad men we had to have a doctor check us out? Well, that’s what daddy has to do, too. The hospital is so boring so it’s better for you to stay home and play until Daddy is ready to see you,” she explained.

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