Page 55 of Refuge (The Wanderers 2)

“Jesus,” Rush yelled as he took off next to Ariel.

Kester was still on his feet though, thank God. That was a good sign. Even though Ariel’s heart was beating out of her chest, she tried not to panic. When she reached him, he was kicking the asshole on the ground, making sure he was dead.

He lifted his gaze toward Ariel and smirked. “You do this?” he asked as he grabbed his arm and winced.

“Someone had to,” she responded as she lifted his fingers from his biceps to inspect the damage.

“Flesh wound,” he told her.

Rush stepped into the open doorway, weapon still raised, scanning the inside. “Fuck.” He finally lowered his gun and hurried into the shack.

Ariel put Kester’s hand back over the wound. The cotton of his long-sleeved shirt was absorbing blood, but it wasn’t so much that he was in imminent danger. “Hold your hand here until Rush can patch you up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was grinning at her as he tucked his gun into the back of his jeans and grabbed her around the waist. He kissed her briefly. “Badass.”

She smirked. “Whatever.” She wiggled free of him and entered the shack.

Taking a deep breath at the scene in front of her, she hurried over to the woman who was lying on a dirty old mattress on the floor. Her eyes were wide with panic as Rush tried to untie the gag that was stuffed in her mouth.

Ariel dropped onto her knees next to the woman and set a hand on her forehead. “You’re okay. We’re here to help. Your friend Cora sent us.”

The woman cried out in agony the moment her mouth was freed. “Help me. Oh, God. Please,” she moaned.

Kester dropped down onto his knees on the other side of the woman, between her and the wall, and went to work on the ropes around her wrists. The poor woman was in a very painful position on her side, bound and gagged, her wrists and ankles restrained even though she was clearly in labor.

Ariel set a hand on her belly. It was tight, and the woman screamed loud enough to shake the entire structure as a contraction took over.

Rush freed her legs at the same time Kester freed her hands. The two of them eased her onto her back.

“What’s your name?” Ariel asked, stroking the woman’s forehead. Her belly was enormous for her frame. She was probably about Ariel’s height, five-two, but underweight. Whatever provisions she’d eaten in the last few months had all gone to the fetus.

She met Ariel’s gaze, her eyes wild as she grabbed onto Ariel’s hand and squeezed. “Grecia,” she managed to utter between pants. “I’m in labor.”

Ariel smiled. “I see that. We’re going to help you.”

“It’s breech. Cora said it’s breech.” Her voice shook with panic and then she tipped her head back and screamed again, her entire body going stiff as she squeezed Ariel’s hand tighter.

Rush unzipped his pack and pulled out several things in a hurry. He looked around with his hands full. “Dammit. I need something sterile or at least halfway clean. Hold this.” He handed everything to Kester and then yanked a towel out of his bag and spread it on the filthy mattress. They didn’t have other options. “There.” He pointed at the spot.

Kester set down the items. Scissors. Shoe laces. A stethoscope. Alcohol.

Grecia started shaking violently as Rush cut off her panties. “I can’t do this. God. No. Please.” She pulled her knees together and squeezed her eyes closed. “No.” She shook her head back and forth.

“You can do it, Grecia,” Ariel insisted. “I promise. You can. We’re going to help you. Rush has medical training. Please let us help.”

She gasped as the next contraction ended, looking around frantically. “Where’s Robert?”

Ariel swallowed. “Was he the man with you?”

She nodded. “Please tell me you killed him.”

Thank God. “Yes,” Ariel whispered. “He’s not going to hurt you.” She took a wet cloth from Rush and wiped Grecia’s face. She was pretty. Or she would be if she weren’t in distress and need of a shower. Her brown hair was braided and very long. It would probably hang to her butt if it were down. It was a mess too. No one had taken care of it in days.

Grecia’s skin was dark enough that Maya figured she was Hispanic.

Rush set his hands on Grecia’s knees. “May I examine you, Grecia?” he asked in a soft voice.

She glanced at Ariel and then nodded. “Am I going to die?” Her gaze widened again.

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