by Poppy Flynn
"She's not a member," Micah stated with certainty.
"You know that's not going to make any difference," Logan said resignedly, turning to look at the woman himself.
"Surely, she can shed some light on her own situation and exonerate the club from any suspicion," Jake asked reasonably, looking from one man to the other.
"An abused girl, scared for her life?" Micah asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because we all know how much the fear of reprisal affects the psyche now, don't we? Even if it's just from a willing submissive trying to get out of a punishment. Never mind someone who's suffered chronic abuse and probably been intimidated into accepting it as their role in life. I don't even want to go into how many battered women either suffer in silence, refuse to press charges, or just outright deny what's happening to them."
"So, what are our options then?" Jake asked, lifting his palms up in supplication, clearly frustrated with the situation. "We face scrutiny if we take her to the hospital, a refuge won't give her the care she needs, we can't throw her back out on the street. What the hell do we do? Seems like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place."
"Well she's got to have care, and while the hospital would undoubtedly be the best place for her in the short term, I do feel that she needs a lengthier rehabilitation than they're likely to provide. I'm also conscious of the fact that if someone is looking for her, then a hospital is the type of place which will be top of the list of places to look, considering the poor condition she's in. I'm sure whoever did this to her would likely conclude that she'd seek medical care."
Xavier looked back at the woman who, at least, seemed to have settled into a more comfortable state. "In an ideal world, I'd take her home with me, but my job excludes me being around enough to look after her properly. What about any of you?" Xavier directed the question to the four owners, even though he looked like he was warring with his own decisions.
"Fuck, you know how difficult that would be for any one of us," Joel declared. "Desi's on bed rest, herself. I can't have her thinking that she needs to care for someone else, and you know she will. I just can't risk it!"
Jake shook his head, too. "Charlotte's already run ragged with the baby. He's just started teething and is still suffering with colic. She needs someone to help her, not vice versa."
Xavier sighed, clearly torn. "I could take her to A&E, myself…say I found her collapsed on the hospital grounds. I work the odd shift there, after all, when they're short staffed, so it wouldn't look odd for me to be in the vicinity, but it might hamper any investigation, which I'm not really comfortable with, and I really don't like the options of where she'd end up after discharge. They won't keep her longer than necessary and that won't be long enough for her to convalesce completely effectively."
"I can look after her," Micah found himself saying, though he didn't realise he was going to make that offer until the words came out of his mouth. "But that means you'll have to agree to her staying here at the club with me. It's not ideal, but we could make it work."
"You don't think that will have her running, screaming for her life?" Connor asked reasonably. "It's clear, she's been abused. How will it affect her staying at a kink club and seeing that sort of thing going on around her?"
"Well, for a start, she wouldn't be allowed in the club, like any other non-member. And this area is all sound-proofed, so there are no worries about the noise disturbing her. We can review our options in a couple of weeks, when she's had time to heal."
Xavier nodded slowly, considering. "It could work," he surmised, almost to himself. "I can prescribe treatment and care and come in and check on her as often as any physician would do patient rounds in the hospital and I can be on emergency call day and night. I live close enough. Plus, the one thing that gives me even greater confidence in this plan is that Micah will be able to take care of any psychological issues, and she's bound to have them. That's one aspect that no hospital is going to provide, and equally as important, in these early days, as her physical care."
Xavier seemed incredibly pleased with this new scenario, and he and Micah looked expectantly at the four co-owners who seemed nonplussed at the idea.
"Perhaps once we've had a chance to question her a little and find out what's been going on, we could bring Andy Storer into the equation." Xavier referred to another member. A Dom who also happened to be a police detective.
Logan blew out a breath. "Yes, I like that idea. As much as I don't want to involve the local constabulary unnecessarily, I don't want the woman to be denied justice, should it become clear there's a need."
"Are we agreed then?" Joel asked all around. "The girl will stay here under Micah's care and with Xavier's guidance, until she's sufficiently recuperated and can tell us what the hell is going on?"
"Okay."
"Yes."
"Fine."
And with that, Micah had somehow managed to become responsible for a battered, unknown woman who had literally fallen at his feet.
Chapter 3
Logan, Joel, Jake, and Connor had made their way back to Blackwood Universal Holdings, where they were all directors, and left Micah once again in Xavier's company while the doctor jotted down a list of things that Micah needed to do or look out for.
"Right now, she needs to be kept warm. The fact that she's indoors, out of her damp clothes and off that swollen ankle and those frostbitten feet is a good start," he declared as he propped her injured leg up on a cushion to raise it. "We've got to increase her core temperature, and when she wakes up, you need to get some wet warmth into her frostbitten toes. You mustn't start too hot, or it will do more harm than good. At this point, anything above tepid is going to feel like it's scalding, so be aware of that and raise the temperature incrementally."
It was difficult during times like this to remember that the good doctor was also one of the club's more extreme sadists. It was one of those mind-boggling contradictions in life.
"She needs to drink plenty of water; she looks to have had a more severe case of dehydration, which she has managed to start counteracting, herself."
"There was a glass catching rainwater from the drain pipe. It was full when I first noticed it, but I forgot to move it. Then, yesterday, it was empty, even though it was still raining, that's what made me realise there was something going on," Micah confided.
"Hmm, well, it's better than nothing, I suppose, but she could have picked up all manner of contaminants drinking run off from the roof. I'll leave you some broad-spectrum antibiotics to be on the safe side, and you need to keep an eye on some of those lacerations and check they're not getting infected," Xavi instructed.
"Plus, she needs to have nourishing, but bland, food. Nothing too rich or fatty, or she'll just vomit it back up again and that won't do her any favours, given the catalogue of complaints she has. Little and often will be best to begin with. She may be tempted to try to pig out if she's been starved for a long time, but you mustn't let her."
Micah nodded his understanding and took the tablets which Xavier took out of his medical bag.
"Finally, she needs to be properly bathed. All those cuts and abrasions need soaking and inspecting. The deeper ones could do with dressing. I'll leave you supplies to deal with that. I know you've covered basic first aid for your job here, so I won't patronise you by telling you how to do it, but a warm bath or a dip in the club's hydro pool—which would probably help ease some of the muscle pain she's bound to have—will have to wait until the frost bite has been dealt with, and I'll warn you now that once she starts getting some feeling back in her toes, the pain is going to be excruciating. Some aloe gel might help soothe it, and normal painkillers can be taken along with those antibiotics."
There was a groan from behind them, and both men spun around to see the woman moving and whimpering.
Xavier checked on her once again. "Start on that frostbite straight away, even if she's not fully lucid, and see if you can dig out some of those dissolvable glucose tablets to put in her wat
er." He dug around in his doctor's bag and came up with a small bottle which he also handed to Micah. "Add this to whatever method you use to soak her. It's a topical, antibiotic which will help any infections that might be brewing in those lacerations. And don't forget to ensure that the bath or hydro pool is properly sterilised both before and after she uses it, to prevent the spread of contaminants."
Xavier started gathering up his things then turned to Micah one last time. "She's exhausted and depleted, more than anything. Her breathing is already less shallow than it was when I first got here. I'd stay longer if I could, but I already have patients scheduled this afternoon, and it's too late to cancel, but I'll call in as soon as I've finished work this evening."
"Thanks, Xavi." Micah clapped the older man on the back and shook his hand.
"You've got the hard job, Micah. Ring me on my personal line if you're worried or you need anything. I'll keep it open for you."
With that, he gave a goodbye salute and showed himself out while Micah took the bowl they'd used and went to refill it with tepid water to start her frostbite treatment.
She felt as if she was floating. For the first time in days, she almost felt warm. She definitely felt cosy, and it was wonderful. The hard, unforgiving slabs she'd been bedding on seemed so soft and comfortable today. Maybe she was just dreaming. If she was, she hoped she didn't wake up. She just wanted to stay right here and drift along, snug and comfortable and almost warm. Even her cramping stomach didn't seem too bad right now. She wiggled her toes reflexively and thought she felt water. She frowned and lifted them slightly, making a little splash. Perhaps she really was dreaming. The water was a comfortable temperature, not like the freezing cold, miserable rain of the past few days. She wondered if she should look, but she didn't want the dream to end just yet, it was just so nice.
The water started to feel a little warmer. Mmm, that was nice, too. It took away a little bit more of the chill she was still feeling inside her little cocoon of cosiness. She was aware of a noise like water pouring. Was it a waterfall? Was that where she was in her dream? Some sunny, hidden pool with soft, warm sand and a waterfall. Yes, she should stay right here and enjoy it while she could, because somewhere on the edges of her memory was something black and evil and scary, and she didn't want to go there at all. Better to stay here and make the most of this little oasis she had found.
Micah poured a little more of the hot water into the foot bath he had rigged up and noticed that the girl was starting to wake up. He didn't need his psychology training to know that he needed to tread carefully now. She was going to be bewildered and disoriented, and with the abuse she had sustained, there was no telling how that would spur her reaction. He could still hear the chilling howl she had uttered before she'd passed out in the yard, and it was enough to turn even his strong stomach.
Besides that, he was a big, muscly guy, and he knew his sheer bulk might appear intimidating to someone who didn't know him.
He moved over to the far corner of the room and sat on the other side of the table, in order to put some strategic items of furniture between them to give her a sense of safety and to make himself appear less intimidating, more at her level rather than towering over her.
He sat quietly and waited for her to acknowledge her surroundings, stifling the urge to speak to her before she had noticed him.
She blinked several times, and he wondered if she was having trouble focusing or if the light was just too bright for her. She wiggled her feet again and sloshed water out of the bowl, and he was glad he'd had the forethought to protect the carpet with a plastic sheet and a towel.
She groaned as she sat forward to look at her feet, and he could tell she was taking stock of the way she was bundled into a mish-mash of soft subbie blankets, towels, a thick quilt and a silver space blanket to regulate her body temperature. He also noted the moment she realised she was naked, since she sat bolt upright, grabbed at the coverings in front of her and peered beneath them. A little whimper was torn from her dry lips, and it was then that her gaze started darting around the room, her eyes wide, resting for a moment on the door before finally realising he was there. Her gaze settled only for the barest moment. Before he had time to react, despite the fact that he'd been prepared for her reaction, she was struggling to her feet in a futile attempt to escape.
"Please don't be afraid." Micah kept his voice soft and easy. "I'm not going to hurt you."
His plea fell on deaf ears; she was too panicked. Any minute now, she was going to upend the bowl of water and undo all of their good work that had gone into trying to warm and stabilise her.
When he stood up, Micah hated the way she cowered as he removed the distance between them, but he didn't miss the way she dipped her head in immediate deference, even while she tried to get away from him.
It was instinct which had him calling, "Stop. Sit still!" in his best 'Dom voice'.
It worked. The girl immediately collapsed back into the sofa, drawing the blankets protectively around her and keeping her face obediently averted, even though she was shaking like a leaf and biting her ravaged lips to avoid making any noise.
While he tried not to make any sudden moves and spook her further, Micah carefully grabbed a dining chair and placed it in front of her, not too close, but right where she could see him.
He sat down, softened his voice, and started over, now that he had her attention. "I know you don't know me and have no reason to believe what I'm saying right now, but I don't want to hurt you."
The girl peered cautiously up at him beneath lowered lashes without so much as raising her head. Micah just retained his relaxed pose and continued. "My name is Micah, and I just want to help you, okay? I understand that might be a big ask, and I promise that you can leave at any time, but if you feel the need to do that, at least let me or someone else take you to a hospital or a health care centre or even some kind of refuge, so you're not back on the streets."
He drew in a cautious breath. She hadn't made another dive for the door yet at least.
"Otherwise, I hope you'll let me take care of you, even if it's just for a few days. I've had a doctor come in to look at you and he says you're suffering from hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, and malnutrition. You've also sprained your ankle badly. It's really important that you stay off your feet, and we need to warm them gradually to treat the frostbite. He's left some medication for you. It's right there by the glass of water I've left next to you, I've added a glucose tablet to that to build up your strength." He gestured to the packets he'd left in plain sight on the side table next to her.
She said nothing, and she stayed statue still as if weighing both his words and her actions. It was unnerving if he was honest with himself.
Micah stayed quiet, too, now that he'd said his piece. He knew he needed to give her the time to build her own conclusions and the worst thing he could do right now was to pressure her. He decided to take it one step further.
"I'll leave you to consider everything I've said, and I'll leave the door open, so you know you're not being locked in, just, please, keep your feet in the bowl. There's a kettle next to you. If it starts feeling cool, you need to add just enough to take the chill off."
With that, Micah took his own leap of faith and hoped he hadn't read her wrong as he left the room and headed for his office.
She remained still for a long time; alert, listening, wondering whether she would even be able to run if she tried. She considered things for so long that she eventually became aware that the bowl of water was getting uncomfortably cold. Eyeing the kettle, she didn't see any harm in following the pretty surfer dude's request to keep it warm.
She looked at the glass with the glucose drink more suspiciously, though. There was a second bottle of water on the table as well, and closer inspection showed it still to be sealed. She chose to drink from that one instead, but she did examine the packet of glucose tablets. The individual tabs inside the packet were also sealed. Emptying the water from the gl
ass into the bowl at her feet, she poured her own instead and added a glucose tablet. She wasn't stupid enough that she didn't realise she needed help of some kind, but she could still be cautious. Although, if this man had wanted to do something rather more depraved to her, then he'd had plenty of opportunity while she'd been asleep. So far, he hadn't shackled or caged her or even locked her in. She really hoped that meant something because, in truth, she would like nothing more than to rest her aching bones and painful feet, shelter somewhere dry and comfortable, and maybe get lucky enough to have a meal. She didn't want to go to a hospital or shelter. Those would be the first places Master would search for her if he was looking. She'd rather take her chances on the street, but she knew she wasn't in any fit state right now.
After a few sips of the water, she picked up the box of medication. By reading over it carefully, she saw that they were tablet-form antibiotics, and a thorough examination of the packaging showed that they, too, were sealed and hadn't been tampered with. She pushed one of the coloured capsules out of the blister pack and checked it again. It appeared genuine. Did she really need it? She was tough, Master had never bothered giving her medicine if she was sick. He'd just raged at her or, if she was lucky, left her in blessed peace in case he caught something, himself. Then again, as bad as things had been in the prison that had been her home, she'd never spent the better part of a week slumming it, freezing half to death, and eating leftovers out of rubbish bins while drinking whatever she could find that seemed at least halfway safe.
She closed her eyes and took her own leap of faith and washed the little pill down with a gulp of the lovely, fresh tasting water. That was like nectar on its own.
Afterward, she waited expectantly to see if she grew drowsy. When nothing happened, after what, according to the clock on the wall, was ten minutes, she breathed a sigh of relief and sipped on the rest of her water and added a little more warmth to the bowl that her feet were in.
