AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I quickly filled the gas tank before getting her back on the bike. I went to a nearby motel. It was a sketchy type that allowed people to pay by the hour. Eva deserved better, but I knew this place wouldn't ask any questions, even if I was with a half-naked girl covered in blood and missing shoes.
She hastily wiped away the blood on her face as we entered the motel. I got us a room for the night and the receptionist didn't even look up as I paid in cash for the night.
As soon as we were checked in, I escorted her to the room. After the door was closed and locked behind us, I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned to Eva. "Let me look at you," I said. "Take off the jacket."
She took it off immediately, revealing herself to me. I took my time looking her over, looking for any injuries. "Do you hurt anywhere, baby girl?"
She shook her head. "No, Daddy, I'm all right."
I looked at the angry marks on her wrists from the duct tape, the bruises on her arms and legs, and the way she was shivering. She was definitely not all right. But it looked like she hadn’t been shot in our mad dash to escape, which I had been afraid of. “I want you to go into the bathroom and draw yourself a bath, baby girl. I’m going to get some food, clothes, and a first aid kit. I’m going to lock the door behind me. I don’t want you to go near the windows or answer the door for anyone, understand? I’ll have the key and let myself in.”
She nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”
I knew I should tell her to stop calling me that. I should tell her that she was safe and I wouldn’t use her again. But I didn’t have the energy. Besides, it would take a while to explain everything to her and she needed to get warmed up. So I gave her a tired smile. “Good girl.”
She went into the bathroom and the water started to run. I looked around the motel room. All it had was a queen-sized bed covered in a gaudy floral comforter, a nightstand with a microwave on it, and a TV mounted on the wall. It was utilitarian, but it would suffice until we could get our bearings.
I made sure the curtains were closed completely before leaving and locking the door behind me. I called Chase as I walked back to my bike.
He answered on the first ring. "I thought you weren't calling until tonight."
"Yeah, change of plans." I gave him a brief account of what happened.
"Are you fucking kidding me? You killed Cobra?"
"He was going to kill Eva," I said. "I didn't have a choice."
He blew out a breath. "I just wish you told us sooner. We would have attacked tonight. They're going to be on high alert tomorrow."
"I know." They had planned a raid for tomorrow night. Based on my intel, it was going to be the best option. I had planned to grab Eva during the raid and take her out of there. When I went to the office, I was planning on finding whatever information I could before leaving for good. I didn't expect to see Eva tied to the chair there.
Chase sighed. "It's fine," he said. "We'll figure something out. Are you two all right?"
"Yeah," I said. "Physically at least. She's pretty shaken up." That was the understatement of the century.
"Where are you?"
"Small town. I don't know where. But we should be safe."
"Okay, just lay low for a couple of days. We'll come to get you back to the safe territory as soon as possible."
I reached for my bike and straddled it. "I appreciate it."
"And Hudson?"
"Yeah?"
"It's good to have you back, man."
I smiled a little. It felt like a small weight had been lifted off my chest. I was finally out of the shithole. For good. "It's good to be back."
I biked to a nearby big-box store. It didn't take long to find everything I needed. In addition to the first aid kit and some microwave meals, I found some clothes and shoes for Eva. I wished I knew what she enjoyed doing. Tomorrow I would take her with me to buy some books or anything else that might comfort her.
I thought about getting her a stuffy but decided against it. I didn't know if she was really a Little or if she just went along with it because she considered me the lesser of two evils.
I biked back to the motel to find her wrapped up in a towel on the bed. She was clean with her wet hair combed and braided down her back. She looked slightly more relaxed, but she also looked half asleep.
She made to stand up when I came in, but I stopped her. "You don't have to do that," I said. I set the shopping bags on the ground at her feet. "Get dressed in whatever clothes you feel most comfy in," I said. "And make yourself one of the microwave meals. I'm going to take a quick shower."
