Текст книги "Claimed"

Автор книги: Alana Sapphire

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CHAPTER 5

***Gage***

I watch her raise her good shoulder in a shrug for the millionth time. She’s done it in response to every question the rape counsellor has asked. The woman keeps trying to get her to express her feelings, but Raven seems unbothered. I know her. I know she’s not good at hiding her emotions, but I also know she doesn’t like talking about them. I thought she needed support, why she asked me to stay, but this exchange isn’t helping anybody.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, lady,” Raven snaps in frustration. “I told you I don’t remember anything. If I wasn’t feeling the effects of it, I wouldn’t know it happened at all.”

That’s the crux of it, isn’t it? She can’t process something she doesn’t remember. The whole conversation has only served to upset her.

“Look,” I address the counsellor. “Obviously, this is going nowhere. How about we just try another time?”

The counsellor takes a deep breath and nods in agreement. After handing me a business card, she turns to Raven.

“I’ll recommend your release, but call me if you want to talk. Anytime.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Hunter.” She dips her head at me and then she’s gone.

Raven breathes a sigh of relief. “I thought she’d never leave.”

“She’s only trying to help, babe.”

“I know.”

She turns her baby blues to me and I run my fingers through her hair. I can’t stand to see her in this hospital bed.

“When can I go home?”

“I don’t know. I’ll talk to the doctor.”

“Get me out of here, Gage. I can’t take being here another day.”

“I will. I just need to make sure you’re okay to leave.”

“I am. I feel –”

“I need the go-ahead from the doctors, babe. I don’t want to risk hurting you further.”

“Fine,” she grumbles.

I shift her position on the bed and climb in next to her. She snuggles up to me, inhaling deeply. I can’t wait to get her out of here, but I need to know it’s safe first.

“Have you heard anything?” she asks quietly.

I take a deep breath. I have to tell her we’ve got jack shit. We’ve talked to everyone, called in all my markers, and still nothing. It’s frustrating as fuck, and I’m only holding it in for her sake. I need to be as calm as possible around her because she needs that from me.

“Not yet.”

“Who is this guy? A ghost?”

“I don’t care who or what he is. There isn’t a hole in the ground I won’t dig up to find him.”

“Gage...I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“When you find him...promise me you’ll let the cops handle it.”

What the fuck? The cops? The moment I find that motherfucker, he ceases breathing. No way I’m leaving anything up to the cops. He’ll probably go to trial and get off on some bullshit technicality. No way. “Anything but that.”

“I don’t want you getting into trouble for me.”

“I won’t. I know what I’m doing.”

“Gage –”

“Don’t,” I stop her. “Please, don’t ask me to do nothing. It’s my fault this happened to you. I can’t undo it, but I can make sure the fucker pays.”

“How is it your fault?”

“I just know it is.”

“It’s not. I know you’re angry, and I’ve seen a sample of what you can do when you’re angry. I don’t want this guy to drag you down to his level, Gage.”

“His level?” I ask with a mirthless chuckle. “I may not be a rapist, but you have no idea what I’m capable of, Raven. The things I’m planning to do to him will make even the Devil refuse me entrance to Hell.”

“Gage...”

There’s a plea in her voice. God knows I’d do anything for her, but I can’t leave this up to the fuck-ups known as the Stoney View Sheriff’s Department. I need to do this for her, but I need to do it for me, too. This motherfucker put his hands on my woman. A lesson needs to be learned and a clear message sent to anyone else who thinks they can fuck with me.

“Drop it, Raven.”

My words come out harsher than I wanted and I instantly regret them.

“Okay,” she whispers before I can apologize. “But promise me you’ll be careful. I need you here, not behind bars or...or worse.”

“I promise. You’re stuck with me, doll. Get used to it.”

She turns her face into my chest and takes a deep breath.

“Little puppy.”

I get a soft giggle from her. I already miss her laugh. You really don’t know the value of something until it’s gone. She was a bright light and instead of illuminating my world, I dragged her into the darkness. I need to make this right. I need my sun back.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll fix it.”

“I know,” she says in a soft voice. “I know you will.”

I kiss the top of her head and hold her close. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to fix it, though, and that’s my problem. How can I come up with a plan when I don’t even know what I’m dealing with?

There’s a knock at the door and I carefully leave the bed to answer it. When I open it, I see the boy – Chris. He’s holding a bunch of flowers with a balloon. His jaw twitches and he squares his shoulders. Good for him.

“I’m here to see Raven,” he states.

I simply nod and move aside so he can enter. He goes straight to the bed and takes her hand. I want to tell him to get his hands off her, but I bite my tongue. I don’t want to upset Raven.

“How are you doing, beautiful?”

I bite my tongue again.

“I’m okay,” she answers.

“You think we could talk without him hovering over my shoulder?”

Okay, this kid is seriously pushing my boundaries. He’s lucky I even let him see her. Raven shoots me a pleading look, so I take a deep breath and calm down. “I’ll go talk to the doctor about your release.”

“Thanks.”

I head out to find her doctor but spot her mother at the nurse’s station, so I head there instead. There’s a man with her who I assume is her husband, and a little girl clutching at her skirt.

“Mrs. Marchand?”

“Oh, Mr. Hunter.” She turns to me and offers her hand. “This is my husband, Daniel.”

Daniel gives me an appraising look as he shakes my hand. I’d love to see what he would have done if I was wearing my colors. He’d probably grab his wife and kid and run for the hills.

“You can call me Gage,” I tell him.

“Gage.”

I almost laugh at him trying to sound tough. I’ve never met a woman’s parents before, but I figure her father would have done the same thing.

“Is Raven awake?”

“Yes, she is.” I turn back to her mother. “A friend is with her now.”

“I was hoping she’d be up to meeting Daniel and Dani.”

I look down at the little girl and she hides her face behind her mom’s legs.

“Hi, there,” I say in a soft voice. She peeks out and I see her mom’s eyes. Raven’s eyes. I crouch to her level and extend my hand. “I’m Gage, Raven’s friend.”

At the mention of her sister’s name, she steps out from behind her mother and takes my hand.

“You know my sister?”

“Yeah, I do. You wanna go see her?”

“Yes, please.” She nods excitedly, and I chuckle at her enthusiasm.

“Tell you what. I’ll go tell her you’re here and then come back and get you, okay?”

“Okay.”

Her mother mouths a thank you as I stand, and I nod in acknowledgement. “I’ll be right back.”

“Mr. Gage?” Dani’s little voice stops me and I turn back to her. She waves me toward her, so I return to my crouching position. Placing her lips at my ear, she whispers, “Do you think she’ll like me?”

I stare into her eyes and all I can see is Raven looking back at me. She had the same apprehensive expression when she asked that very question about her mother. This is one meeting I know Raven will have no reservations about. “She’s going to love you.”

She gives me a wide smile I have to return when I see that two of her teeth are missing. Utter cuteness. Yeah, Raven’s going to fall in love with this little girl.

***Raven***

Gage re-enters the room and Chris immediately goes rigid. After he finished playing the blame game, we actually had a pretty nice visit. He told me the girls didn’t come with him because he asked for some alone time with me, but they’d come by later. Hopefully, Gage can get me out of here today so I can see them at home. Then again, where is home? I’m definitely not going back to Lonnie’s place. Gage said he’s taking me home with him. Does he mean the clubhouse, or his house? Doesn’t matter. I just need to get out of here.

I give Chris’ hand a gentle squeeze. Rising from where he’s perched on the edge of my bed, he shoves his hands in his pockets. He sneers at Gage, who, frankly, isn’t paying him any attention. His gaze is locked on me.

“You good?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“There are some people here to see you.”

“Laurelyn?”

“Yeah. You up for it?”

“I guess.” I nod. “Dani?”

I admit, I’m excited to meet her. I have a little sister. One I can be a better sibling to than Lonnie was to me. That is, if Laurelyn doesn’t disappear again.

“She’s here,” Gage replies.

“I’ll go,” Chris says. “Call me if you get out today. If not, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Okay. Thanks for coming.”

He kisses my forehead and leaves, giving Gage a wide berth. Gage approaches me with a raised brow. I think he’s going to give me shit about Chris, but he doesn’t.

“You ready?”

“Yeah,” I answer. “I am.”

“I’ll go get ‘em.”

I chew on my thumbnail nervously as I wait for him to return. Will she like me? Will this be the only time I get to see her? Laurelyn is one thing, but this is different. Dani is an innocent bystander in all this. I don’t think I could handle having one more person ripped from my life.

He comes back in, holding a little girl’s hand. No, not just any little girl – my sister. She’s a miniature of Laurelyn, down to the way she’s dressed, like a proper young lady. She stares at me, wide-eyed, clutching tightly to a teddy bear. When they reach the side of the bed, Gage picks her up so she’s at eye level.

“Hi,” I choke out as tears gather in my eyes.

“Hi. Are you my big sister?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Mommy told me you were in an accident,” she says as she extends the teddy bear to me. “I brought this for you. His name is Teddy. He’s my favorite and always makes me feel better.”

I take the bear from her and hug it to my chest. “Thank you. I feel better already.”

“You’re welcome. May I give you a hug?”

Proper young lady. Whatever they’re teaching this little girl, she’s obviously learning.

“I’d like that.”

Gage places her on the bed carefully, and her gaze sweeps over me in an obvious attempt to see how she can hug me without hurting me. Finally, she wraps her little arms around my neck. I return her hug with my good arm, breathing in her scent.

“I’ve always wanted a big sister.”

“And I’ve always wanted a little sister. I’m glad it’s you.”

She pulls back from our embrace and gives me a hopeful stare. “Will you come and live with us?”

I glance at Gage, unsure what to say. I don’t want to hurt her feelings within the first five minutes of meeting her.

“I live here, sweetheart...but you can visit me anytime you like.”

Apparently content with my answer, she starts chattering away, telling me about her school, teachers, friends...everything about her little six-year-old world. I smile and nod, interjecting whenever I can. She’s so cute with her little toothless grin. Gage and I both laugh when she starts talking about a boy in her class who wants to be her boyfriend, but ‘he’s too immature’.

She leans forward, cupping her hand to hide her lips from Gage, and whispers, “Is Mr. Gage your boyfriend?”

“Yes, he is.”

“I like him,” she says with a wink. “He’s cute.” She sits upright, giggling as she casts shy glances his way.

Even six-year-old girls fall prey to the man. Unbelievable.

The door opens and Laurelyn sticks her head inside. “May we come in?”

“Mommy!” Dani squeals. “Raven says I can visit anytime I want.”

Laurelyn smiles at her. I can see she’s relieved, but there’s something else hidden behind that smile – uncertainty. It’s almost imperceptible, but I caught it. What does it mean? God, I hope she isn’t planning on not allowing me to see Dani again. I’m already smitten with the little girl.

“That’s great, honey.”

She introduces me to her husband. He shakes my hand and gives me an empathetic smile.

“I feel like I already know you, the way Laurelyn talks about you. I really hope you give her a chance. She puts on this front for everyone, but I know she’s not truly happy. She won’t be if she has to continue living a life without you in it.”

“I’m trying,” I tell him.

“I know,” he replies as Laurelyn walks up, and he wraps an arm around her shoulders. “That’s all we can ask for.”

“Do you know when you’re being discharged?” Laurelyn asks.

I look to Gage, but he shakes his head. “I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet.”

“Will Lonnie be coming by? Are you going back to her place?”

I shake my head in answer to Laurelyn’s questions. “I don’t know where Lonnie is, and I’m never going back to her house. That’s...that’s where it happened.”

She reaches for my hand and gently squeezes my fingers. I look down at our hands but don’t pull away. The touch verbalizes more than any words ever could. She’s here and offering support. It’s only been a day so I’m definitely not won over, but like I said, I’m trying.

“Where will you be staying?”

“With me,” Gage interjects.

Both Laurelyn and Daniel turn to him. Dani climbs up the bed and settles in next to me as she watches her parents. Laurelyn seems apprehensive.

“Do you mind if I ask how long you’ve been seeing each other?” she asks.

“Not long...but I’ll take care of her.”

“What do you do, Mr. Hunter? For a living?”

I roll my eyes. Is she really doing this right now?

“I own and operate several businesses.”

“Several?” Daniel raises a brow.

“Several,” Gage reiterates, emphasizing the word.

“So, you’re taking her to your home?”

“My clubhouse.”

I sigh deeply as I listen to their exchange. If they think they can intimidate Gage, they have another think coming.

“Clubhouse?” Laurelyn looks between the two of us in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Gage is the president of a motorcycle club. I’ve been there many times. It’s perfectly safe.”

She releases me and covers her mouth in shock. I know she thinks he’s a low-life criminal and that I’ve probably been a club whore, passed around from brother to brother.

“Those men and women are my family. They took me in, no questions asked, and made me feel like I belonged. I trust them. I trust Gage. I only feel safe when I’m with him. I’m going home with him, and that’s the end of the conversation. I’ve known you all of one day. Please, don’t come in here trying to act like a parent.” Gage takes my hand, offering encouragement. I look up at him as I finish, “He said he’ll take care of me, and he will.”

“Well...okay then.” she says reluctantly.

“You’re welcome to come by anytime and see Raven. I would take her to my house, but I have people at the clubhouse who can help me take care of her and protect her. You have nothing to worry about,” Gage tells her.

She nods and turns a nervous gaze to her husband. He tightens his arm around her.

“Good,” I say. “Now, get me out of here. I’m ready to go home.”

CHAPTER 6

***Gage***

A week. Seven days, ten hours, and—I check my watch—thirty-seven minutes. She’s been home from the hospital a fucking week, and I still have nothing – no suspects, no information. Nothing. Renley still hates my guts, but he doesn’t ride my ass the way he used to. He’s actually being cooperative since he saw and spoke to Janet. They have nothing either, and they’re swamped with combing through tips they received because of Laurelyn’s reward. If no one talked to me, they’re definitely not talking to the cops.

I was able to get my hands on a copy of the police report, but it doesn’t tell me anything I don’t already know. They found no DNA and no trace evidence to suggest the use of a condom. That means this wasn’t about sex. It was about hurting her. As for her blood work, my contact at the lab said he’d never seen that combination of drugs before. It’s the perfect rape cocktail – Flunitrazepam, MDMA, and Triazolam. Roofies, Ecstasy, and a fucking anesthetic. She would have been pliant and awake, unable to fight back, and wouldn’t remember a damn thing after. What guts me is that he also said she didn’t ingest enough to keep her out for too long. He thinks she came to either during the act or right after it finished. A part of me hopes she’ll remember something that will help while the other, bigger part, wants her not to. What she doesn’t remember can’t hurt her, right?

Aunt Nita, Ellen, and Chrissy have pretty much taken her over from me. Millie comes by when she can. Toni stayed for a few days but had to go back home for school. They still talk on the phone every day, though. The only time I really get to spend with her is when I curl up next to her at night. Raven’s going to need a lot of time to heal but even then I don’t want her working, so I’ve told Millie to find another waitress.

Her mother and sister are still around. They were staying in a hotel in Atlanta, so I offered them the use of my house so they could be closer. She comes by every day, even though she turns up her nose at everyone. Raven is still cautious with her, but she and Dani are growing closer with each day. She’s pretty much stayed in bed all week healing, only just wandering outside of my room today. It’s going to be a few weeks before she can use her arm, but everyone’s been taking care of her. She hasn’t had to lift a finger.

Even the guys have been extra protective of her. She’s like the princess of the club or something. Don’t even get me started on Chopper. It’s like he’s planning World War III. I’ve been busting my ass trying to find this guy but if you hear Chopper tell it, I ain’t doing shit. We’ve already eliminated everyone on my list of suspects, so now we’re a little stuck. No one is more disappointed in me than I am in myself. I don’t need his shit, too.

And that’s exactly what I’m getting now. He’s sitting at the opposite end of the table, staring at me like I’m the biggest mistake he’s ever made. All the brothers are staring at me, waiting for me to say something. The Mexicans put us in contact with the Colombians, who gave us some information on a guy called ‘The Pharmacist’.

I turn to Tek. “Any luck?”

“All I’ve found so far is that he’s on the DEA’s radar. Henry ‘The Pharmacist’ Briggs. Apparently, he’s some kind of genius chemist. His specialty is mixing different recreational drugs. Doesn’t say anything about this particular one, though.”

“Maybe he’s expanding. Find him.”

“I’m on it, Prez.”

“What else are you doing?” Chopper growls, but I ignore him and address the rest of the table.

“No one’s talking. Maybe we need to provide a little incentive. A million dollars to anyone who can lead me to this guy.”

Laurelyn is already offering a reward through the cops, but I’m hoping people will be more willing to talk to me than them if I offer one, too.

“A million?” Venom raises his brows.

“You’re right, it’s not enough. Make it two.”

“Boss,” he says. “We want this guy, too, but don’t you think that’s a little...excessive?”

“No. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to find this fucker.”

“Okay. We have some money tucked away. I’ll see –”

“No,” I stop him. As the club’s treasurer, I see why he would be concerned. I wasn’t planning on using the MC’s money. “My woman, my money.”

Everyone stares at me, but no one dares oppose me. Not unless they want to get run over on this war path I’m on. I’ll do whatever, kill whoever I need to in order to get this done. I just need to be organized, have a clear plan. They started this, but I’m sure as hell going to finish it.

“That’s your solution?” Chopper demands. “Throw money at it and hope it works out?”

“Pop –”

“No. They messed with one of ours. We shouldn’t be sitting around this table talking about shit. We should be getting shit done. You’re the president of this club, that’s your woman, and the best you can come up with is a reward for information?”

“You’d rather I go around killing people, hoping I got the right one? I need to make sure. I need to have a solid plan.”

“I’ve sat at this table and been quiet for a long time. I did that because you made good decisions. I trusted you to do what’s best for everyone, for the club. I can’t keep quiet on this.”

“What do you want me to do?” I ask in exasperation. “What would you do?”

“I’d send a clear message that no one fucks with the Dealers—not the members, not their families. You bust enough heads, you’re sure to flush out a rat.”

“And where do you suggest I start, huh? We’re in a pretty good place with everyone right now. I go on a killing spree, I start wars with people who have nothing to do with this. I don’t need that on top of everything. That’s only going to take attention away from this. Finding Raven’s attacker is more important than an unnecessary war.”

“Fine,” he relents. “But do you know how many low-lifes you’re going to attract with that money?”

“We just have to weed out the useful stuff. The prospects can help with that.”

“Okay. We’ll do this your way.”

“Anyone else have anything to say?” I look around the table but no one speaks up, so I continue. “Good. Now, next order of business.”

Chopper is still sneering at me. He’s my father, but he’s not the president of this club anymore. I allowed him to have his say, but now he needs to step back in line. I convey that message in my stare, but I know I’m my father’s son. He stares back unwaveringly, and I can sense the tension coming from the other men at the table. I begin to think he won’t back down, but he nods in concession and leans back in his chair. Thank God. I wouldn’t have enjoyed teaching my father a lesson in obedience.