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.”