“How do you not know your age?” Ax asked. He was relieved that she was of age because the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. He could not determine her looks yet because she was swollen and scraped up. He was amazed she was able to move at all after he’d seen the contusions all over her body.

  She was one tough woman, and he liked that about her. He could see her fitting into the family very well. He’d just have to play it by ear.

  Chapter Nine

  Ella hated talking about it because it brought back the memories of being terrified and crying. Fortunately, a homeless woman found her and took her to the hospital. The older she got, the more she realized what kind of things could have happened to her, and it made her hate her mother even more.

  “I was abandoned behind an old warehouse when I was two, three, or four. I think I was four because I still remember so much. I think I was small for my age because of malnutrition, so they thought I might be younger than that.”

  “Fuck that. Did you ever find your parents?” Burn asked.

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t remember a dad, and what I remember of my mom was that she yelled a lot.”

  “Here, put this on your face,” Ghost said and handed her an ice pack for her face.

  She pressed it over one side of her face for five minutes and then the other. It felt wonderful. The pain pills were also taking effect, and the food was helping give her energy, although she knew she would be crashing before long.

  Ella finished her juice. “I’m going to brush my teeth.”

  The men nodded.

  When she returned, Ghost had the sofa bed pulled out and was sprawled over it, so now the room had three beds.

  “Where am I going to sleep?”

  “You’ll sleep with me,” Ax said.

  She took a step back. “I don’t thin…”

  Ella abruptly stopped when he walked up to her. She had to crane her head back because he was so tall. He set his hand on her shoulder, and she was amazed at how such a large dangerous man could be this gentle.

  “Do you really think I’d hurt you? I just helped bathe you.”

  “It’s just…” she said.

  “Nothing will happen. Now, get in bed. On the left side next to the wall.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “So I’m between you and the door in case something happens.”

  “Oh.” She pulled away and crawled into bed. Her hip, stomach, and ribs hurt so much and made it hard for her to move, but she was so glad to be safe that she’d take whatever pain she needed to.

  He handed her the ice pack. “Keep using that.”

  “Okay.” She tucked the blanket up under her arms and spent the next half hour trying to get the swelling down. She couldn’t fight it anymore and closed her eyes.

  Ella jerked awake when Ax slid into bed. He’d left his jeans on but had taken off his vest, boots, socks, and shirt. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from his muscles and tattoos. The type of body he had would make any woman drool, but she was still surprised it turned her on after Teddy raped her. She hadn’t thought she’d feel desire again.

  “What are you thinking about?” Ax asked her. He had his head propped on his hand with his elbow rested on the mattress.

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  He turned her head toward him and studied her face. “The ice is helping.”

  “I feel better.”

  “I told you I’d take care of you,” he said.

  “I know.”

  “Get some sleep. Hopefully, the roads will be cleared by morning so we can get home.”

  “I … can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “There are six women at the house I was at, and all of them are being forced to stay there. I want … no, I need to help them.”

  Ax nodded. “Fuck, yeah. I’ll talk to my prez when we get home. He’s not going to let them stay there. In fact, I’m guessing the men you had to deal with will be taken care of.”

  “Prez?”

  “Yeah. He’s like the boss of us. You’ll understand when we get home.”

  She nodded. As long as she could help those women, she’d be happy. And the sooner, the better.

  Ella woke up in the middle of the night, her teeth chattering. She pulled the blanket up to her ears, but it didn’t help. She was startled when an arm came around her waist and pulled her back against a hard, hot chest.

  “Shhh. Easy. It’s just me. I can hear that you’re cold again.”

  “Fuck, I can, too,” Ghost said. “The whole motel probably hears you.”

  His other arm slid under her neck, and he adjusted the blanket.

  “Is that better?”

  God, the heat coming off the man was intense. It was better than any heating blanket she’d ever had.

  “Yes, thank you. I know this must be uncomfortable for you.”

  He chuckled. “This isn’t a hardship, babe. Go back to sleep.”

  She couldn’t shut her mind down. All she could see and dream about were those women. She needed to get them out of there as soon as possible. She’d deal with her future later. They were more important.

  Chapter Ten

  Ella heard men’s voices and could tell they were trying to be quiet. She rolled over and bit back a moan. Her whole body was stiff and hurting. All three were fully dressed and sitting around the room. Ax was sitting against their headboard with one foot on the floor.

  “Hi.”

  Ax looked down at her. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m really sore, but I’m too thankful to complain about anything.”

  “I have some more Tylenol and juice, and Ghost got another ice pack you can use. I talked to my prez, and he thinks it’ll be safer for you if several of our brothers come, and a few bring a truck, so you don’t have to ride on a bike.”

  She struggled to sit up. “Where will you be?”

  He studied her for a moment. “I can have one of my brothers take my bike so that I can ride with you.”

  She exhaled and nodded. “Thank you.”

  “They’ll be here soon, so let’s take care of you.” He handed her the pills and juice.

  She swallowed them and handed him the juice can back.

  “I’m going to use the restroom.”

  “Do you need help?” Ax asked.

  She must have looked horrified because all three men chuckled.

  “I just meant to the bathroom,” Ax said.

  “I’ll see how I do.”

  It took her longer than normal, but she finally made it off the mattress and hobbled into the bathroom. Ella used the toilet, washed her hands, and brushed her teeth before she looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was still swollen but not as bad as the night before. It was also different shades of different colors because of all the times Teddy left bruises on her. She was shocked Teddy hadn’t broken any of her bones.

  Her thoughts went to those women. She was determined to help them as soon as she could. She knew it wouldn’t happen today but hopefully the next. She didn’t want them to go through any more than they already had.

  She opened the door when one of the guys knocked on it. As big as Ax was, he filled the doorway and completely shielded the other part of the room.

  “Hey, babe, the guys are here. We’ve got to go.”

  “Okay. I don’t have shoes.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll carry you.”

  She nodded. “Thank you.”

  He lifted her into his arms and walked out of the room. Her first glance at the group made her stomach twist with anxiety.

  “They won’t hurt you.”

  She looked up at him.

  ****

  He got her into the front seat of a beat-up old truck. It looked like it would fall apart anytime, but it purred when the guy started it.

  “Babe, this is Bear.”

  “Hey,” Bear said.

  “Hi. My name is Ella.”

  Bear nodded and kept his attention on the road.

  Ax curled his arm around her. “Lay over my lap. We don’t want anyone to see you.”

  After carefully laying down, she almost fell asleep when they slowed and pulled in through tall metal gates. He let her sit up, and her stomach dropped. There seemed to be dozens of bikers walking around.

  Ax got out and reached for her. “Come on, babe. The girls are waiting to meet you.”

  “What girls?”

  “You’ll see. You’ll like them,” Ax said.

  After they walked in the back door, she felt like she was in the Twilight Zone for a moment. She went from being surrounded by scary men to a sweet-smelling kitchen with normal-looking women.

  “Girls, this is Ella,” Ax said.

  They all rushed over to her with concern on their faces.

  “Oh my God. How bad are you hurt?” one woman asked.

  “I’m bruised, but no broken bones.”

  “I’m Amelia.” She pointed out the others. “That’s Tara, Lindsey, Zoe, Chelsea, Kyra, and Lina’s upstairs with her man.”

  “I’m Ella.”

  “Where do you want her?” Ax asked.

  “Set her down on the stool,” Tara said. “We’ll take care of her.”

  “I told her you would.”

  Ax cupped the back of her head. “I’ll be around if you need anything.”

  “Thank you, Ax.”

  Someone cleared their throat, and that’s when she realized she was staring at the door Ax had just left through. She could feel herself blush when all the women stood around with big grins on their faces.

  “Would you like to take a bath?” Lindsey asked.

  “No, I had one last night.”

  “Okay. Let’s take care of your swelling,” Amelia said.

  “They had me put ice on my face last night.”

  “Let’s try a little more. You’re still really puffy,” Lindsey said.

  “Do you want to lie down?” Amelia asked.

  “No. Is it all right if I sit here and watch you or maybe help?”

  “You can help when you’re healed. Sit there. You’re out of the way while we finish breakfast.”

  She pressed the bag of peas to her face as the girls finished up. The pancakes and bacon looked delicious, but she didn’t think she’d be able to eat them because she was so worried about those women. She just didn’t know how to bring it up to them because she’d need help and didn’t know where to turn. She wouldn’t stop until those women were saved.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Here, try to eat,” Zoe said.

  “I will. Hey, I need to talk to you guys when you’re done.”

  Zoe patted her shoulder. “Sure. This won’t take long.”

  Ella got down a piece of bacon, a pancake, and a glass of juice the girls put in front of her.

  Amelia came over to her. “Can you walk okay?”

  “Yes. I’m slow, but I can walk.”

  “Us girls go outside and eat if it’s nice. It’s still cold out, so we’ll go into the front. There’s a big table we sit at. Zoe said you have something to talk about.”

  Ella nodded. “It’s important.”

  “I’ll walk beside you just in case you need support.”

  Damn, these women were so darn sweet. She didn’t get a chance to have friendships because she was so busy just trying to survive.

  “Okay, spill it,” Lindsey said after they sat.

  Ella took a breath. “There are six women at the place I was at. None of them want to be there. I need to get to them as soon as possible.”

  “Start from the beginning,” Tara said.

  Ella went over everything, and by the time she was done, all the women were pissed.

  “I know Fury, my man, and the prez will want to talk to you when he gets back. We’ll tell him then.”

  “I promised them I’d come back for them if I got away alive. I’m afraid Teddy will move them again,” Ella said.

  Amelia took her hand. “We’ll get them.”

  Ella nodded.

  An hour later, a few men entered the front door as they sat talking. They were scarier than Ax, and she was close to peeing her pants.

  Amelia touched her hand again. “That’s Fury and Traeger and a few others. I’ll go talk to him.”

  The expression on Fury’s face as he looked at Amelia did a lot to calm her down. She’d never seen that depth of affection before in her life.

  “Ella, Fury wants to talk to you in the office.”

  “You’ll be there?” she asked.

  Amelia nodded.

  One of the guys closed the door after the group walked into the office, only to be pushed open by Ax. He looked around and came straight to her. She relaxed even more. He stood behind the chair she sat in and placed a hand on her shoulder for support, which she greatly appreciated.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  “I’m better. You’ll stay?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “So, it’s like that?” Fury said to Ax.

  She didn’t know what he was talking about, and he was talking to Ax, so she stayed quiet.

  “Okay, let’s get to it.” Fury looked at her. “Tell us everything.”

  Ella started her story again and went through everything she remembered. The guys got a kick out of her freaking the men out at Teddy’s. She was pretty happy with that, too.

  “I don’t care about me right now. I want those women out of there, and I’m afraid if he thinks I went to the cops and we wait, he’ll take off with them.”

  Fury shook his head. “The paper and our source at the police department are going to say they found the remains of a woman fitting your description.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “So, Teddy thinks I’m dead?”

  “Yes. That will give us some time.”

  She shook her head. “Even if they stay, those women are being raped repeatedly every night, and those men, especially Teddy, enjoy beating them.”

  “I understand, but we can’t go in half-cocked. Those women could get killed,” Fury said.

  “But…”

  Fury shook his head, and the scowl on his face was enough to make her want to run from the room.

  “No buts. We’ll not talk about this again. We’ll take care of it.”

  Ax leaned down. “Babe, trust us to take care of this.”

  Ella sighed and looked at Amelia as she stood by Fury’s chair. The other woman smiled and nodded.

  “Okay.”

  “Girls leave. The guys are going to start planning.”

  “We can’t stay?” Ella asked.

  Before Fury could yell at her, Amelia came to her, took her hand, and led her out of the room.

  “You looked beat. How about you lay down for a while?” Amelia said.

  She could feel her energy was almost gone. “Yes, thank you.”

  “I’ll show you the room Fury wants you to have.”

  Ella let Amelia lead her up the stairs and down a few hallways.

  “This one is yours from now on.”

  “Like forever?”

  Amelia smiled. “Yes. You’re part of the family now.”

  Ella couldn’t understand how they could accept her so fast. “But you guys just met me.”

  Amelia closed the drapes in the room, enveloping the room in shadow. “It doesn’t matter. The girls know what kind of person you are. We’re good at reading people.”

  Ella sat down on the bed and stared at the floor.

  Amelia sat beside her and took one of her hands. “We will get those women out.”

  Ella looked at Amelia. There was one thing she hadn’t told them yet. “There is something I didn’t tell you guys. The day Teddy brought me back to the house, he … raped me.”

  Amelia gasped and then got tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Ella. The wave of emotion she’d put off suddenly hit, and she was glad she had someone there with her. After several minutes they both stopped crying, and Amelia reached for some tissues.

  Ella wiped her face. “Thank you. I put it out of my mind until now. Thank you. I’ve never had someone there for me.”

  “Now, you have us.”

  “For how long? I can’t stay here after Teddy is taken care of.”

  “Why not?” Amelia asked.

  “Amelia, I can’t just move in. You guys don’t know me at all.”

  Amelia smiled. “We know you well enough. Now that I know about that bastard’s abuse, do you think you’ll ever be able to feel desire again?”

  Ella paused as she remembered looking at Ax’s chest. “Yes. As crazy as it sounds, I already have. Ax had his shirt off, and my girly parts started tingling.”

  Amelia’s eyes widened before she burst out laughing. “God, you’re going to fit right in. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Ax has the hots for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh, yeah. I see the way he looks at you.”

  Ella had so many emotions going through her at that moment but was too tired to analyze them.

  “Why don’t you relax for a while? Is it okay to talk about the abuse?”

  Ella had a hard time saying rape, too. “Yes. I’d appreciate it. I don’t want to talk about it if I don’t have to.”

  Amelia hugged her one more time. “You’re safe here.”

  “I have to admit I’ve never felt safer, which is ridiculous.”

  “No, it’s not. All of us girls felt the same way.”

  Ella stopped Amelia before she closed the door. “What I went through was hard enough. I can’t imagine going through it several times a day for years. I won’t wait another whole day.”

  “I understand. My heart goes out to them. Give Fury and the guys a chance, I know they can do it.”

  “I’ll try, but I’m not giving them a lot of time. You might tell Fury that.”

  Amelia chuckled. “Oh, hell, no. Let’s take it hour by hour.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ella lay down and closed her eyes. Her body was exhausted enough that she was out within a minute.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ax quietly opened Ella’s door to see she was still asleep. He walked in, closed the door, and walked over to her. After Amelia had told him what Ella said, he had to make sure she was okay. He pulled off his boots and carefully slipped onto the mattress behind her. Ella moved around and whimpered.

 

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