Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries #5)(33)

“Six,” Ball whispered. “Has to be trafficking.”

Everly held her breath—then heard a sound she somehow recognized, even though she’d never heard it before in her life.

Elise. Screaming in terror.

She tore herself out of Ball’s loose embrace and sprinted toward the house. She heard shouts behind her, and Ball yelling something, but she had eyes only for the front door. She ran inside, knowing Ball was at her back, then she stopped and had to force herself to breathe for a second.

The house smelled awful. Like human waste, body odor, and mildew. She’d been in some pretty terrible environments as a cop, but knowing her sister was inside, had been inside this place for who knew how long, made it that much worse.

Elise screamed again, and Everly turned toward a set of stairs that were just off the front foyer. She ran down them and pushed through the four officers who were blocking her way to her sister.

There, on the far side of the basement, was Elise.

She was wearing the same blouse and shorts Me-Maw had said she’d worn to school the day she’d disappeared. Her feet were bare, and she sat huddled against the wall, staring at the police officers as if they were devils incarnate. Everly saw a bucket that her sister had obviously been using as a toilet out of the corner of her eye, but she ignored it, wanting to reassure Elise more than anything else.

Stepping closer, she began trying to calm her.

You’re okay. It’s me. Are you hurt?

Elise raised her eyes to her sister’s, and Everly almost staggered under the weight of the confusion, pain, and fright she saw there.

It’s me. I’m here. She took a step toward Elise, relieved when she didn’t flinch. I’m coming closer.

When Elise nodded slightly, Everly took another step forward. She heard Ball telling the officers to give her some space, that she was the victim’s sister, and she’d never been so thankful for his presence. She couldn’t concentrate on them and make sure they gave her the room to do what she needed to do to reach her sister.

She glanced behind her briefly and saw that Ball had stepped forward, closer to both her and Elise. The support she felt with that small act was immense. He was close by just in case she or Elise needed him, but he didn’t insert himself into what was going on.

Everly got close, then eased down onto her knees. She crawled the remaining three feet or so until she was right in front of Elise. Are you hurt? she signed again.

Not really. But I can’t move far because of the chains. Elise pointed to her ankles.

Okay. We’ll get those off. I’ve been looking for you since you disappeared.

I’m sorry, Elise signed frantically. I’m so sorry. I was so stupid. I did exactly what you told me never to do.

Shhhh. We’ll figure it all out later. You’re okay now. Can I hug you? Everly asked.

Elise shook her head. No. I’m disgusting.

I wouldn’t care if you were covered head to toe in dog shit, Everly told her sister honestly. I just need to hold you.

The small nod was all she needed. Right before she gathered her sister in her arms, Everly gave another quick glance over her shoulder. Ball was right there with a pair of bolt cutters in his hand. She didn’t know where he’d gotten them, but it was obvious he was hesitating, giving her time for a moment with her sister.

“We need to get her out of here,” he told her softly, minutes later.

“I know,” Everly said as she wrapped her arms even tighter around Elise. “Just give us a second.” She felt her sister trembling, not moving otherwise, but after another long moment, she put her arms around Everly and clung tightly.

Everly felt like sobbing, but knew she had to be strong. There would be time later to break down.

“I need to touch her to get the chains off,” Ball said. “Can you please warn her?”

Everly nodded and pulled back, moving to Elise’s side. Her knees were still touching her sister, both needing the connection at the moment. This is my friend. He’s going to get those chains off. Okay?

Everly looked at Ball, and she had to swallow hard to keep the tears from escaping as he painstakingly signed what he’d tried so hard to learn the other morning.

My name is Ball. You’re safe.

Elise nodded at him, then turned to Everly. Wow, his signs suck.

Everly burst out laughing, feeling relief for the first time since she’d heard her sister scream. She was going to be all right. Something awful had happened to her in this room, that was pretty obvious, but she was alive, and her sense of humor was still intact.

She quickly signed back, Yeah, but as of a day and a half ago, he didn’t know any signs, so cut him some slack.

Ball? Elise asked. What kind of name is that?

A nickname.

What’s it mean?

Everly turned to Ball, who was waiting patiently for permission to touch Elise’s leg. “She wants to know how you got your nickname.”

Ball smiled, and even though it was a bit strained, she was so thankful he was doing his best to put Elise at ease. “Will you translate for me?” he asked.

“Of course,” Everly told him, doing just that as he spoke.

When I was in the Coast Guard, I was a bit anal. Everything had its place, and I hated to be disorganized. I also had a knack for being able to tell when things were about to go sideways. When someone was about to lie to me. When they were going to try to flee. My fellow Coasties always said that I was really “on the ball.” That got shortened to Ball. My last name is Black, but it’s a good thing they didn’t call me that, since I have a friend back in Colorado Springs whose nickname is Black. Can you imagine having two people in the same group of friends with the same nickname? But what’s funny is, they should’ve called me “Ball” because my first name is Kannon. You know—like cannonball.