Page 29 of Vengeful Lies

“I did what I had to do to come for you, my little princess,” he told Essie cryptically, and Gabriella couldn’t make out what he meant.

But he had to mean that he’d killed the men who abducted them, right?

If he hadn't how could he be there?

And he was there.

Warm and solid and strong beneath her.

Knowing it was inappropriate given he was her boss but way too exhausted to care, Gabriella relaxed against Cade and rested her cheek on his broad shoulder.

For a moment they all just sat like that, her and Essie on Cade’s lap, his arms around them, and for the first time in days Gabriella finally felt safe.

Far too soon he sighed and shifted, shooting her a look that she knew meant don’t even think about lying. “Can you walk?” he asked.

“I … could try …” she said, not entirely sure she could, but there was no way he was going to let Essie walk and carry her, so she had to figure out a way to do it.

“Essie, I need you to go on my back, okay?”

“A piggyback ride?” Essie asked, brightening at the suggestion.

“No, Cade, you need to hold her,” she protested.

“You can't walk,” he said simply. There was a hint of possessiveness in his tone she was sure she imagined, but he didn't give her another chance to argue. Simply helped his daughter onto his back, then moved his arms so one was around her back and the other under her knees. “Hold on tight, okay, Essie?”

“’Kay, Daddy,” the child agreed.

Standing like their added weight was nothing, he quickly carried them out of the building. While she expected to see dead bodies and blood everywhere, there was no sign of a shootout or anything, so how had Cade gotten to them?

In the four days they’d been there, the men had never all left at the same time she was sure of it. Even if they had, what were the chances none of them would be there when Cade happened to track them to their location?

Expecting bullets to start flying at any second, none came and soon they were met with a blast of fresh air. It was mild and the feel of the sun and the breeze against her skin revitalized her a little.

Not far away, Cade’s brothers stood around a large black SUV. They all seemed anxious but none of them were shooting and no bodies were lying about.

What the heck was going on?

And why didn't she feel more relieved about being rescued?

“Hey, Messy Essie,” Cole said, his voice falsely bright as he took hold of the child.

“I'm not messy, Uncle Cole,” Essie protested like she always did when he used the silly nickname.

“Here, I got her,” Jake said, holding out his arms and she was deposited in his hold.

Not what she wanted.

Gabriella wanted to stay with Cade who was standing there looking at her with an expression she couldn’t figure out.

Once again that rough palm cradled her cheek, calloused fingertips brushing over her skin. “Take care of my daughter.”

Then he was gone.

Walking away from them.

That’s when it hit her.

They hadn't been rescued, not really, Cade had somehow managed to convince the men to make a trade.

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