Page 33 of Vengeful Lies

Rest is probably exactly what she should be doing. After the hysterical car ride from where she and Essie had been held captive to the hospital, she was surprised someone hadn't sedated them both the second they got there.

Other than being bruised all over, suffering from some dehydration, and the effects of not eating properly for the last few days, she was okay. Thankfully, Essie had no injuries at all. They were both exhausted, though, and while Essie had promptly fallen asleep once they’d been settled in a room to be kept overnight for observation, sleep wouldn't come for her.

She should have followed the child’s lead, but she couldn’t.

Gabriella was wired with fear just like she’d been since they were kidnapped, and she couldn’t make her brain shut off.

“There were five of them,” she said as though Cooper hadn't spoken.

“And we’ll get you to work with a sketch artist after you get the rest you need,” Jake said, pushing off the wall by the door where he’d been standing.

Shooting him a look like he was crazy, she shook his head. “No. It can't wait. Cade is in danger. I don’t understand why you left him,” she said, carefully lifting a hand and rubbing her temple, trying not to disturb Essie in the process. They’d filled her in on only the barest amount of intel on what had gone down, basically just assuring her that Cade wasn't dead and that they had a plan.

“Because saving Essie and you was his priority,” Connor told her from the seat he was perched in beside her bed.

“Of course, his daughter was his priority,” she said.

“Didn't say that, honey,” Connor shot back.

“I know, but you meant?—”

“I meant exactly what I said,” Connor said, gently but firmly. “He’s been walking around with both toys since you guys were taken. Doesn’t let them out of his sight. Specifically said we should have both with us when we rescued you guys.”

It was hard to argue with that.

While she had no idea why Cade had been in her room, she knew he’d been in there because the ragdoll her mom had given her before she was put in foster care had been in the car when Connor and the others put her in it, along with Essie’s teddy. It smelled like Cade, and she hadn't been able to let it go, much the same way Essie was clinging to Winkie-Bear.

“Look, sweetheart,” Cole said, moving so he was standing beside the bed, Susanna moving with him, empathy on her pretty face. “You’ve been through hell and protected that little girl with everything you had. Every single one of us is so proud of you. You fought as hard as you could, but now you're safe. You're with your family, your team, the people who care about you. It’s time to rest and heal.”

Tears filled her eyes at Cole’s simple words.

Calling them her family meant everything to her, more than he would ever realize because he’d never been all alone in the world.

“But Cade isn’t safe,” she whispered. Fear for her grumpy boss, who had won her heart with every sweet second he spent with his little girl consumed her.

“They’re not going to kill him, Gabs,” Jax told her, shooting her a reassuring smile only it went little way toward reassuring her.

Maybe they wouldn't kill him right away, but they’d hurt him.

Memories of what those same men had done to her shoved their way into her mind, and she trembled even though she was tucked under half a dozen blankets and had Essie’s warm weight snuggled in her arms.

She knew what Cade and his family had seen in the video, so she knew they knew about the unwanted kiss and touching. But they didn't know about her being made to get down on her knees and suck off all those men, and they didn't know about the touching and the bite on her breast from that morning in the hall.

They didn't have to know either.

If she didn't tell them then they never could know.

It wasn't really relevant, so it could remain her dirty little secret forever. They wouldn't even know she was keeping anything from them.

“Sweetheart, you're overthinking everything, I promise you you are,” Willow said. “I know how scared you are, trust me, I get it. I know how terrified for Cade you are as well. But right now, the best thing you can do for him is to rest, recover a little, then in the morning you can tell us everything.”

“Then when you feel up to it, maybe you might want to talk to me,” Susanna added. The woman was a psychologist, and while she’d specialized in helping addicts, after being raped when themen who were after the family thought she was Cole’s girlfriend, she’d decided to accept the job offer from Eagle Oswald and join the Prey Team.

The offer was tempting, but it didn't seem right. Susanna had been through so much worse than she had. Susanna had been raped, and she’d only been made to do some things she wasn't comfortable with.

It wasn't the same.

Wasn't as bad.

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