Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(95)

And in the blinding sliver of light, Lily had shaken her head violently and hoped her eyes conveyed what her words couldn’t—that she’d never ever subject herself to prostitution.

They could kill her first.

When Maggie had locked her in the closet upon her arrival the previous evening, she’d told Lily she had to agree to cooperate before she could come out or have any food.

Lily figured the scare tactic worked on most girls—young, sweet girls like Frankie—who would eventually give in, especially when the pangs of hunger and parch of thirst became overwhelming.

But Maggie didn’t know her. She wasn’t like other girls. She’d never give in.

“If you aren’t cooperating by tomorrow,” Maggie had said during the last visit a couple hours ago, “then my husband will join me in your training.”

Lily didn’t care. Carr could beat her black and blue if he wanted. She still wouldn’t give in.

Through the darkness, she’d explored the narrow cell as best she could with the tips of her fingers. There wasn’t a way out except the door, which Maggie kept locked.

Lily knew she was trapped. She may have helped orchestrate the escapes of others that winter, but she couldn’t have pulled off one like this.

Not even Connell could get her out.

Had news of her predicament reached him? Surely by now Mrs. McCormick had realized she and Daisy were gone. But the dear woman wouldn’t know what had become of them. She’d likely assume she’d stolen the silver with Daisy and had run off before they could get caught. There was little chance the woman would report Lily’s disappearance to Connell—not when she believed Lily was a thief.

She was stuck.

Lily leaned her head back against the cold wall. The rag in her mouth was torturously dry against her swollen tongue.

Better her than Daisy.

Loud laughter and the twang of the piano sifted through the floorboards. The debauchery of the evening was well under way.

And where was Daisy? Had she gone to a brothel somewhere?

Lily squeezed her eyes closed at the possibility that Daisy had gone to Hell’s Half Mile. The very thought of her sister selling her body in the dark catacombs underneath Bay City made her stomach lurch with nausea.

The question resounded through her mind as it had over the past day since she’d found Daisy’s note: Why? Why had Daisy done it? Again?

Lily couldn’t accept that Daisy liked prostitution. The idea was too repulsive.

Her heart radiated with pain.

What hurt more than anything was knowing Daisy had willfully left her, that she hadn’t wanted to be with her.

Oh, God, why? The ache moved up her throat. Why my baby sister?

She’d already lost her parents. Wasn’t that enough? Why Daisy too?

All her life she’d wanted to keep Daisy safe and for them to be a family—the two of them and the tiny portrait of their parents. She’d tried to raise her sister as best she could, doing everything she thought their mother and father would have wanted.

What had she done wrong?

The agony pushed up into a choked cry, but the tight rag in her mouth prevented any sobs.

She’d been bent on saving the world—everything and everyone. But she hadn’t been able to save the one person who mattered most.

Tears welled in her eyes.

Oh, God, are you there? A trickle of cold wetness rolled down her cheek. She had no one now—not even the image of her parents that she’d clung to for so many years.

She shuddered, wishing she could wrap her arms around herself. But with all her efforts earlier to free herself from the binding, she’d rubbed her skin until it was painfully raw. And she was still no closer to loosening the ropes than when she’d arrived.

Did God still care about her?

Could she trust that He was creating a beautiful quilt—a bigger plan for her life—even when the pieces didn’t look so pretty at the moment?

She’d been trying so hard to put together her life the way she’d wanted. Was it possible God had other plans for her that didn’t fit the pattern she’d tried to create? Maybe it was time to stop trying so hard to be in control.

The questions swirled through her. And suddenly she didn’t feel quite so alone. She almost had the feeling God was near enough to hear her desperate cries. That He was listening. That He was trying to tell her that even if everyone else left her, He never would.

Footsteps clomped in the hallway, growing louder as they neared her closet.

Was Maggie coming again?

The steps halted in front of her door.

Lily sat up straighter. Sudden resolve poured through her. Maybe it was time to start asking God what His plans were instead of always taking matters into her own hands.

Okay, God, what do you want me to do?

She listened intently, hoping for a voice, for some audible direction, but all she heard was a key in the keyhole rattling and then the door squeaking open a crack.

Maggie peeked in, lifted her lantern, and cast brilliant light on Lily.

After almost complete blackness during the past twenty-four hours, Lily blinked hard.

“Are you ready yet?” Maggie’s voice was muffled by the bright scarf that covered her mouth and nose.

Lily started to shake her head as adamantly as she had the other times, but then stopped.

How would she escape if she didn’t get out of the closet? If she pretended to submit to Maggie, maybe the woman would remove the binding and let her leave the black hole.