Page 23 of Vengeful Lies

Yesterday, after the man kissed her while filming that video for Cade, he’d stopped, they’d delivered a final message to the Charleston Holloway family that if they didn't back offimmediately Essie was going to be next, then returned them to their room.

She should be glad it had stopped at that.

Should be glad that she hadn't been forced to do anything to get more food for herself and Essie. When they’d been returned to their room, someone had left behind a huge pile of food for them, enough to last a couple of days.

As usual, they’d been allowed bathroom breaks when needed, and she and Essie had played games until bedtime. Once again, she’d struggled to sleep. Her body cried out for a break, she knew she was teetering on the edge of exhaustion, and she badly needed sleep if she wanted to be able to function, but she just couldn’t seem to let her mind shut off.

Any time she did drift off to sleep, she’d startle awake at the teeniest sound or movement.

Half the time she was sure she was reacting to nothing.

Fear for the little girl who sat before her, happily munching on a candy bar the men had left for them occupied her every second. Candy for breakfast wasn't something she usually allowed, but what did it matter right now? They were prisoners, they were pawns, pain and suffering were in their future, if eating candy for breakfast helped Essie in any small way, she wasn't going to deny the child some comfort and enjoyment.

“Gabby?”

“Yeah, cuddle bug?”

“I’m bored,” Essie whined.

“I know you are, sweetie.”

“I want to go outside.”

“If I could take you I would, but I don’t think we’re going to be allowed.” Maybe it was worth asking, just in case. She was sure nobody was close to where they were being held so they may agree to it. There would be a price to pay if they did say yes,Gabriella was well aware of that, and maybe it was why she held back.

Or maybe it was the oppressive sense of foreboding.

Something bad was going to happen and she didn't want to rock the boat.

This calm before the storm wouldn’t last, and she was so afraid that she knew what the sense of foreboding was about, and that she wouldn't be able to stop it from happening.

Essie.

Next they were coming for the little girl.

Maybe they wouldn't rape her, maybe they wouldn't do anything sexual to her at all, but they’d do something. Hit her, break her tiny, fragile bones, cut her, maim her, something that would show Cade the extent of the consequences of him not doing what they wanted.

What if she couldn’t stop it?

Or what if she tried and they killed her to get her out of the way?

How would Essie survive there alone without anyone looking out for her?

“I want to go outside,” Essie said again, pouting. Normally, she was an easy-going little girl, she didn't lose her temper very often, she rarely threw tantrums, and she was good at listening and doing as she was told although she loved to try to negotiate to get her way. But they’d both been under a lot of stress and it was no wonder it was starting to get to Essie and affecting her attitude. She was lucky the girl had kept her attitude for three days.

“I can ask, but I can't make any promises,” she warned the child.

Pushing to her feet, Gabriella shook off a wave of dizziness as she stood. Besides the lack of sleep, she still hadn't been able to force herself to eat much, her stomach was constantly churningwith nausea, and she had no appetite. She was eating only because she had to, but it wasn't anywhere near enough.

Knowing the rules Gabriella had put into place, Essie shifted into the corner, the one furthest from the door. While it wasn't going to protect the child, she always felt a little better when she knocked on the door knowing there was the maximum distance between the little girl and whoever would answer.

Just as she lifted a hand to knock on the door it swung open, startling her.

She stumbled back a step but managed to catch herself before she landed on her backside before them.

The thought of being on the ground in front of these men brought back memories of that first morning when they’d made her suck them all off in return for food. A wave of terror crashed down upon her, almost stealing her ability to breathe as tears flooded her eyes.

Managing to wrangle control of her emotions before they rendered her useless, she saw three men standing in the now open doorway.

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