Old Lady by Evelyn Glass Page B

state of a blubbering, crying girl who would agree to whatever the hell he wanted her to do. As always, it worked. The fear that skidded across her nerves was devastatingly crushing. She could feel her will and her mind slowly crumbling as she fought the terror that careened through her veins. If only he got her out of this mess, she would fall in line. The months of freedom that she enjoyed were far more than what she expected when she ran away. Gabby never imagined that she would be able to enjoy the normal things that other people took for granted. When she got away from Joseph, she feared that he would find her at some point and make her regret her move.
     
    It happened exactly as she thought.
     
    But she would forever relish the memories of the wonderful time that she had in Hell Brigade. The images that flashed through her mind were myriad; Ronald’s handsome face, Willow’s encouraging smile, Tasha’s bright eyes, but the face that haunted her the most was Nick’s. What must he be going through in her absence?
     
    What did he do when he reached the store and found that she was gone?
     
    He would surely blame himself. Rather than curse her for being so irresponsible, he would beat himself that he didn’t do enough. She knew him well. He loved her, and his vow to protect her was sincere. She’d betrayed him by not abiding by his advice. If only she didn’t step out with Tasha. Why did she lull herself into this feeling of false security? If she stayed in the clubhouse, she would still be there, safe and well.
     
    Now, she was trapped in this cellar, tied like an animal that was about to be sacrificed. Joseph would do his best to break her spirit. He would unleash upon her a storm of horrible deeds that would force her to cower in front of him. If Nick saw her now, he would be ashamed of her.
     
    The thought sent a tingle up her spine. She never wanted him to cast his gaze on her when she was so helpless and vulnerable. She’d seen the love that shone in his eyes for her, and she didn’t want to see disgust that was directed at her.
     
    No. She wouldn’t break down.
     
    She would be damned if he killed her, but she wouldn’t allow Joseph the satisfaction of knowing that he broke her mind. He could do his worst, and she might not smile through it, but she sure as hell would survive it for as long as she could. Nick had said that he would protect her. If she did as he’d said, she would be safe now, but she failed him – not the other way around. Gabby believed him when he said that he loved her. When she was with him, the words got stuck in her throat, and she didn’t say them often enough, but if she saw him now, she would tell him that she adored him. He was her life. Without him, she was nothing. But in order to say all those things, she needed to live.
     
    Joseph might try his best to crush her before he killed her, but this time, she wasn’t going to comply with his rules. Maybe she couldn’t free herself, but she sure as hell could defy him. If she wanted to survive, she needed a plan. Right now, she didn’t have anything that she could use to her advantage, but Joseph wouldn’t keep her inside this place forever. He would do his best to humiliate her. In order to do so, he would let her out – and when he did so, she would grab a chance whenever she could.
     
    Rather than cry and moan over her life, she stiffened her resolve. Gabby was going to survive this catastrophe no matter what happened.
     
    He kept her in that cellar for at least eight or nine hours. Maybe she was wrong. Perhaps it was less or more than that, but by the time he came down, her bladder was close to bursting. She could relieve herself in that situation, but her pride didn’t allow her to do so. The light that flooded inside when he opened the door made her eyes tingle. She closed them as she heard his footsteps descend the stairs. Once, the sound would have sent a lance of fear straight through her heart, but now it