Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

the bleeding on Caroline’s wound,” I answered, sounding and feeling numb. I tried looking over my shoulder in the direction where David was laying but my neck suddenly hurt.

“Don’t worry, they have David too,” Josh added.

“Is he…” I trailed off.

“Let’s talk about everything later. Okay, baby?” He was crouching in front of me, tucking my hair behind my ears. “I want to make sure you’re all right first.”

I nodded, closing my eyes. I was feeling less dizzy and my head felt less fuzzy. I looked up into his impossibly blue eyes. They looked stressed, probably from the situation I was in.

“Baby, where are the rest of the girls?” His voice was deep and sultry. It sounded like home to me.

I was drinking in his features, placing my hands on his face, running my fingers through his beard and running my thumbs down and around his lips. He looked so different with his long hair and bushy beard. I couldn’t believe that he was really in front of me. He placed one of his hands on top of mine, holding it in place and turning slightly to kiss my palm. “Joshua…” I breathed.

“Yes, baby, it’s me. You’re safe now. Tell me where the other girls are. Did Ricky help them get away? Did Chang sell them?” He was rubbing my thighs and stroking one of my cheeks with his thumb. “Baby, can you understand me? We heard there was a little girl here with you. Is that right?”

I nodded my head, remembering Betty Lou. “Yes, her name is Betty Lou. I don’t know her last name. I never asked, but you have to promise me that no one will take her back to her mother. Her mother’s boyfriend sold her to Chang and if she goes back he’ll just do it again.”

“I promise, baby. We already know the story anyway. The girl’s mother called the police and the sleaze confessed. Betty Lou will probably be placed with her grandmother until the court decides what happens.”

I sighed with relief. “All the girls are in the attic.”

“Which one? There’s at least three attics the men have already checked.”

I chuckled at the girls’ brilliant hiding skills. “I actually don’t know but if I can call my cell phone they’ll answer and I can tell them to come out.”

“Ha!” Josh let out a quick chuckle. “Did you think of this?”

I nodded, smiling and feeling relieved. Josh dialed my number and handed me his cell phone. He sat beside me, gazing at me intently. I placed the call on speaker so everyone could hear. I told the girls to come out. I asked Lilly to hand the phone to Betty so I could tell her where to find me. I didn’t want her thinking I’d abandoned her.

I stood up and headed for a bathroom. “Hey,” Josh jumped up and grabbed my hand. “Where are you going?”

“I need a bathroom. I’d like to clean up just a bit.”

“Of course, baby, just don’t get up and leave… okay?” He was in front of me, stroking my hair and cheek. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”

Together we walked to the bathroom. Josh waited at the threshold, watching me, scanning the inside of the bathroom and everything outside of it. I just focused on cleaning up.

38

The girls began to surface. I thought I would hear loud chatter and excited voices but I barely even heard their footsteps. They must be incredulous to the fact, or even the thought, of being rescued. I didn’t blame them, I felt the same way. I stood on the sofa looking for Betty Lou and Lilly. As soon as all the girls saw me rise above all the body-armored men, they began to call my name. I could see relief flood their young faces.

“Isabel Grace!” I heard Betty’s voice among the sea of girls but I couldn’t locate her. Then I saw Lilly and Betty Lou bouncing up and down. Lilly was waving her hand, holding my phone. I jumped down, about to run to Betty, when I saw the other agents parting the sea of girls so Lilly and Betty could get through. As soon as they reached me, all three of us hugged. Lilly and Betty were sobbing. They couldn’t believe we were actually rescued. Lilly couldn’t believe I was actually alive.

“I knew you and Caroline would get the jammers disconnected but I thought for sure you would get killed doing it,” Lilly said through sobs. “I’m so glad you didn’t get killed.”

I giggled at her morbid thoughts. “Me too, Lilly. Me too.” We hugged so tight and for so long that when I finally looked up, a lot of the other girls had been ushered out.

“Josh! Where are the rest of the girls?” I sounded panicked, letting go of Betty Lou and Lilly.

“Don’t worry, baby, Pam’s here and so is Davis, helping with medical care and a safe haven for all the girls. They are all safe now.” He wrapped his arm around my waist. “Davis is taking charge of the girls’ medical needs and Pam is taking care of shelter for them. We need to get your two friends to Davis so they can get looked at by a doctor and then to the safe place.”

“I can’t leave Betty, Josh. I just can’t. I have to make sure… I need to make sure she’s going to be well taken care of and someone that loves her will come get her.”

Josh nodded. “Of course, baby. Pam and Davis already spoke with her grandmother and she’s to meet us at the hospital Davis designated for all the girls.”

“Can we trust her grandmother?”

“Isabel Grace,” Betty was tugging on my arm. “My grandmi is nice. She tried to keep me and my baby sister a long time ago but my mom and