“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 theTwilight Zonefor 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.”