Chapter Twelve
“Get the fuck out of my way.” Ashes’ voice penetrated the panicked haze of Miranda’s mind.
He was here. She was okay. She could stop screaming.
If Ashes was here, she wasn’t back in that cell waiting for Kevin to come back, fearing he never would.
“What the fuck are you all doing here? Get out. Let us be. I’ll take care of this. ”
Ashes pushed through the crowd of bodies at the door. She could hear him but there were still too many people, too many strangers, for her to see him.
She didn’t know why, but at the sound of Ashes’ voice, something in her calmed.
The panic that had seemed to vibrate through her, bouncing off the inside of her body like one of those bouncy balls she’d had as a kid, lost momentum.
Where before it had been getting faster and faster, at the sound of his voice, it slowed.
When he pushed his way through the people and she could see him, something in her settled.
She’d hit and slapped at anyone who’d tried to touch her or get too close.
She didn’t know them. They could be here to take her back to Kevin or was this who he’d told her he was selling her to?
With the number of men around, she’d been afraid to ask.
“Are you all right?” Ashes asked, meeting her gaze. “You’re not hurt?”
“I’m okay,” she whispered. “I’m not hurt.”
Ashes nodded once then turned to face the men still watching her.
“Everyone out. We’re good. I’ll make sure she’s okay.” He waved his arms, as if pushing them out. Several left but Bulldog remained in the recliner, watching them both.
Once it was just the three of them, Ashes sat on the edge of the bed and held his arms wide. Miranda didn’t hesitate. She moved into his arms, her back to his front as she let him wrap her up in a tight hug. His touch and his scent helped to calm her frayed nerves even more.
“What happened?” Bulldog asked, his elbows propped on his knees and his hands folded together in front of him.
“I’m sorry,” Miranda said. “I was sleeping. I had a bad dream and woke up screaming, then someone burst in and I panicked even more. I’m sorry.” She shook in Ashes’ arms, afraid of what her punishment would be for starting so much trouble.
“Sweetheart, I wasn’t looking for someone to blame.
” Bulldog looked up and met her gaze. “You’re not in trouble.
I just need to know what happened so we know what to do to keep it from happening again.
We’re not going to put you out.” One corner of his mouth quirked up.
“I think if we tried it, Ashes might follow you.” He shook his head.
“We don’t work that way. You’re welcome here as long as you need us.
We’ll do our best to make sure you feel safe and have everything you need.
” Bulldog’s gaze flicked to Ashes, behind her.
“You talked to Hammer about getting her a phone yet?”
“I’ve got it, but it’s in the gym with my jeans. I hadn’t brought it to her yet because she was sleeping. I’ll make sure she can get me, or someone, anytime she needs to.”
Bulldog nodded slowly, as if thinking. “You’ll want to make sure she meets everyone too.
That will help. I can’t imagine what she thought when all of sudden, she’s facing a room full of strangers.
Meeting everyone would at least let her recognize faces if something like this happens again. ” He watched the two of them.
Miranda leaned back against Ashes, almost wishing she could hide behind him.
She had no doubt he would protect her. And right now, she knew she needed that.
If not actual protection, the feeling of it.
The knowledge that someone would stand between her and the hard parts of life, at least for a little bit, was what she needed right now.
“I’ll leave the two of you to figure things out.” Bulldog pushed himself to his feet. “Don’t forget to get her something for dinner. No more skipping meals. We’ll have you back to yourself in no time, little one.” He left, closing the door as he went.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ashes asked, his arms still around her. The heat of his body at her back and warm, secure feeling his holding her had gone a long way to settling her nerves.
“I’m okay, just embarrassed.”
“There’s no need to be embarrassed, Tiny Warrior.
You were asleep. You woke from a nightmare and then strangers came into the room, even without knowing what you were probably dreaming about, I wouldn’t blame you.
I have a couple of ideas about how to make you feel better, more self-confident.
And we can work on that, but the first priority is to get you settled in. I agree with no more skipping meals.”
Miranda started to say something but Ashes cut her off.
“I know you weren’t skipping them on purpose. You ate when you could, but that’s not happening anymore. If you get hungry, you say something. If I haven’t already gotten you something, go to the bar and ask for food. Someone will cook for you.”
She didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure she would ever be comfortable just going up to the bar and asking for food.
She hadn’t been used to people waiting on her before the whole thing with Kevin, and that certainly hadn’t made her more comfortable with anything.
Maybe she could just get away with being around when food was served.
Then she could get food without having to ask.
But she would only have to resort to that when Ashes wasn’t around.
“What time is it?” she asked, glancing around for a clock and not seeing one.
“It’s almost dinnertime. You can go downstairs like that if you want, but some of the guys will be a bit vocal in trying to convince you to spend time with them. They wouldn’t touch you, not without your permission, but they’ll be loud and blunt in asking.
Miranda wrinkled her nose. That didn’t sound at all appealing, nor something she wanted to deal with. Maybe she should stay here instead.
“You okay now?” Ashes asked.
“Yeah. I’m good now.”
“If I leave you here for a few minutes, will you be okay by yourself?”
She sighed and felt like an idiot. “I’m fine. As long as I don’t wake up from a nightmare to a bunch of faces watching me, I’ll be fine.”
“All right.” His arms around her loosened, then he released her and stood. She twisted to look at him and noticed he didn’t have on a shirt. She let her gaze roam his torso, taking in the tattoos scattered across his skin. “Enjoying the view?”
Her face heated. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, Tiny Warrior. I like when you look at me. I like that look in your eyes.” He smoothed one finger from her throat to the point of her chin. “Give me a couple of minutes, I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the hall.
Miranda glanced around, taking in the room.
She’d been totally exhausted and had barely registered most of the room.
She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep, but her bladder let her know she needed to use the facilities.
Rather than wait for Ashes to return, she slid out of bed and went into the bathroom.
By the time she came out, Ashes was back.
I borrowed a few things for you. He dropped a grocery sack onto the bed.
“Sparrow had no clue on sizes and even worse taste in what you might like. I asked Winter to get what you’ll need.
I didn’t think you’d want to go shopping yourself, not yet.
” He lifted one brow in question, and waited.
“No. Not now.” She looked at the bag on the bed and wondered what he’d brought her. She wondered if she’d angered the other woman by freaking out earlier. Not the screaming, but when she’d shut down while the other woman tried to talk to her.
Inside the bag she found a couple pair of leggings, a few t-shirts, as well as a brand-new package of panties.
They weren’t the style she would have chosen, but they were the right size, and at this point she didn’t care.
Everything Sparrow had gotten her earlier was so big she felt like it was going to fall off her at any moment.
Nothing had, at least not yet, but she had been more than grateful the sweatpants he’d gotten her had a drawstring at the waist.
“I’ll wait if you want to change,” Ashes said motioning to the bag. “If you’re good the way you are, we can head down now.” He didn’t seem to care that all she wore was his t-shirt and undies which felt like they would fall off at any moment.
“I’ll be right out.” She took the entire bag with her as she turned and retreated back into the restroom.