Page 2 of Ashes’ Addiction

“I’ll let him look at me.” Miranda kept her gaze on Ashes. He seemed to be the one in charge. He would likely be giving orders if they changed their mind and decided to hurt her. If she kept her eyes on him, she might get a little extra warning. Maybe now that she wasn’t chained, she could slip away. All she needed was a moment when they weren’t paying attention.

Chapter Three

“She’s bruised and filthy but I don’t see any injury that would keep her from coming out of here,” Sparrow said after looking the girl over. “How about I go on up, you can hand her up to me, then we’ll get you out of here.”

Ashes glanced at Sparrow, then turned back to the woman. He wondered what she’d been through. Could he get her to let him touch her? How would they get her out of there if she wouldn’t?

“Will you let us lift you out of here? There’s food, water, and more clothes up there. And someone more qualified than Sparrow to make sure you’re okay.” He moved slowly so not to startle or scare her as he extended one hand in her direction. “It would help if I had something to call you, what’s your name?”

“M-Miranda,” she whispered.

“Miranda, will you let me lift you out of here? Then we can make sure you’re all right and see about finding your family.”

She pulled back in on herself, and whispered, “No.” Almost unheard.

“All right,” Ashes kept his voice gentle and he hoped, soothing. “If you don’t want us to find your family, then we won’t. It’s that easy, Tiny Warrior. We aren’t going to force you to talk to them. We’ll do what you need. That’s what this is about. You.” He curled his fingers slowly, trying to convince her to let him help her out of this hole. “Can I help you out of here? Can we get you some food and make sure all your wounds are taken care of?”

Slowly, she moved toward him. He stayed where he was and let her come to him. He didn’t want to scare or spook her, so he stayed as still as he could.

“Thank you,” he breathed, knowing only she would hear him. He hadn’t expected the full sensation in his chest when she put her hand in his. It made him want to be there, to protect her, to do whatever she needed to get her through this. Moving slowly to keep from scaring her, he gently wrapped his arms around her and held her for just a moment. Looking down at the top of her head, he wondered what color her hair was. They needed to get her a shower. They were only a couple of hours from the clubhouse but he hated the idea of her staying like this.

“Let’s get you out of here, Little Warrior. Then we’ll worry about the rest.” He moved until they were below the opening then looked up to make sure Sparrow was in place. His brother nodded that he was ready. “All right. This might hurt a little but it’s the fastest and easiest way to get you out of here. It won’t last long then we’ll do our best not to hurt you again, okay, Miranda?”

She stared at him with wide eyes for a second, then seemed to realize he was waiting for a response. Miranda nodded then tucked her chin against her chest, as if she was waiting for a blow to fall.

“Can you hold your arms up over your head? Reach for him,” Ashes said, going down on one knee. “Then step here,” he patted his thigh, “and let him pull you up.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“Once you’re up and safe, he’ll pull me up too.”

Miranda’s eyes went wide. “He’s that strong?” A shudder went through her, making him wonder what she was thinking.

“We can do this. Are you with me?”

She met his gaze. Ashes watched her set her mind to this. She could do it. She nodded. He wanted to stand, to pull her into his arms again, but they had to get her out of here. That was the first priority. He held out one hand.

“Here, take this hand, step up on my leg, and reach for Sparrow. Catch his hand and he’ll pull you up.”

She did as he instructed and in seconds, she disappeared through the hole he’d come down to find her. A moment later Sparrow was back.

“Ready?” he said extending one arm.

Ashes shook his head. “Step back. I can do this easier on my own.” When Sparrow was out of the way, Ashes jumped and caught the edge of the floor with his forearms held flat. It took him a moment and a little maneuvering but he managed to lift himself up and out of the space. By the time he sat on the edge of the hole, he glanced around and found Miranda a few feet away, her eyes wide in what looked like panic, as she watched him.

“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” Ashes said to her before turning to Sparrow. “Did they search the place? I want any and all evidence of this,” he waved one hand toward the hole where his feet still dangled, “and what he was doing with these women collected and taken with us. Anything that might be relevant, take it. We won’t be able to come back for more because when we leave, we’re torching the place.”

Sparrow nodded then went to relay the message with Goliath. Ashes pushed himself to his feet and went to where Doc was asking Miranda questions but not having much luck getting answers.

“You can tell him,” Ashes kept his voice soft, the same soothing tone he’d used before they’d gotten her out from that pit. “Doc is a friend and he won’t do anything to hurt you. If he does, he’ll have to deal with me. He won’t talk to the hospital if you don’t want him to.”

She stared at him for a moment, as if not sure she could believe him.

“I know some of these are hard questions, even if they might not seem like it at first.” Doc spoke in an uncharacteristically gentle voice, as if he knew his usual gruff way would scare the girl. “Do you hurt anywhere now?”

Miranda shook her head.

“Not even all these bruises?”