Page 1 of Claimed

PROLOGUE

***Gage***

Where we left off in Tempted...

I can’t believe this shit is happening again. I’m handcuffed and being dragged through the halls of the hospital like a common criminal. Well...Iama criminal. The fucked-up thing is I keep getting arrested for crimes I didn’t commit. Rape. Why the fuck would I need to rape any woman, let alone my own? This is some bullshit.

“You’re making a huge mistake, Renley.”

“Why? Because you’re such an upstanding member of the community?”

“I’m no saint, but I’m no rapist, either.”

“Maybe. It could just be a coincidence that two women you’re connected to end up getting raped. I’m not taking the chance on a third.”

He pushes me into the elevator just as E approaches. “Call my lawyer,” I tell him. He acknowledges with a dip of his head and pulls his phone from his pocket. I lean on the back wall, shaking my head.

I don’t have time for this. Raven needs me. I should be with her but instead I have to deal with these motherfuckers. Fuck. She needs me and once again, I won’t be there.

CHAPTER 1

***Raven***

Raped. That’s what the doctor standing over me said. I was tied up, drugged, stabbed, and raped. How did that happen? The last thing I remember is getting into the shower. After that, it’s all darkness.

The doctor’s lips are still moving, but I’m not hearing a sound. The thought of someone violating me in the worst possible way is the only thing on my mind. Raped. Judging by the feeling between my legs, pretty brutally, too. Now they’re asking my permission to violate me further with their tests.What the hell. It can’t get any worse.In the midst of my pain and confusion, one thing becomes clear.It couldn’t have been Gage. No way. I can’t believe I even thought that for a second.

“Miss Alvarez?”

I stare at the doctor with dead eyes. Did he ask me something? I have no idea. There’s just one thing I need to know. “Who?”

He clears his throat and drops his gaze to the floor. “The police have arrested –”

“It wasn’t him,” I stop him before he can even get the name out. He raises a brow at the conviction in my voice.

“Do you remember anything?”

“No. But Iknowit wasn’t him.”

“Yes, well…the police are investigating. If Mr. Hunter is innocent, I’m sure he will be cleared.”

“He’s innocent,” Dr. E’s voice rumbles from the door. He shoots a death stare at the other doctor and moves to my bed, his expression becoming tender as he looks down at me. “Hey. How do you feel?”

“Like I just went ten rounds with Floyd Mayweather.”

His jaw clenches and anger flashes in his eyes. It reminds me of Gage. I’ve never seen this side of Dr. E before.

“A moment please,” he says.

The other doctor nods and leaves. Dr. E pulls up a chair and takes my hand. “I doubt this…but do you remember anything from last night?”

“I remember Ellen dropping me off and then getting in the shower. That’s it.”

He nods and takes a deep breath, gently squeezing my fingers in reassurance.

“We’ll find the motherfucker who did this. All the guys are on it. Don’t worry.”

“Gage?” I ask hopefully. I need to know what the police have done to him.