Page 23 of Claimed

“But –”

“But nothing. The answer to your question is ‘no’. I’m not sorry, and I would do it all again. I would still make you mine. I know it’s rough now, but we’ll get through this...together. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I concede, not because I agree but because I want to end the conversation. He kisses my forehead and resumes his position next to me. The lights go out and he curls his arm around me once more. He’s wrong. I’m not more, and I’m not better.

I may have been once.

But I’m not anymore.

***

When I wake up, he’s not in bed. I hear a bit of commotion outside, figuring that’s what woke me up. It just sounds like a bunch of people talking, so I ignore it and head to the bathroom. I inspect the sling on my arm as I brush my teeth. The pain’s not so bad anymore. With the painkillers and Chrissy icing it for me every day, it feels a lot better. I still have some discomfort with my stitches, but that’s healing well, too, and the cuts on my legs have scabbed over and just itch like hell now. I take my pills then head back into the bedroom. I know either Aunt Nita or Ellen will be bringing me breakfast soon. As soon as I walk in the room, the noise outside hits me. My curiosity gets the best of me and I stand by the window to see what I can find out.

“What’s going on?” a man asks.

“Hunter’s offering a reward for information.”

“What kind of information?”

“I don’t know but for two million dollars, I’ll say whatever he wants me to.”

What the fuck? Two million dollars?I pull on a pair of his boxers and head outside to find Gage. He’s in the bar, talking to Dr. E and Razor. Dr. E is facing me so when he sees me, he does a chin lift in my direction to alert the others. They stop talking and turn to me. Gage furrows his brows and meets me before I can get to them.

“You okay?”

“I need to talk to you,” I tell him.

He leads me back to the bedroom, sits on the bed, and pulls me down on his lap.

“What’s up, babe?”

“You tell me. What’s this I’m hearing about a reward for information?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“I heard some men talking. They said you’re offering two million dollars. Is it true?”

“Raven, don’t worry about it.”

I get up and start pacing the room. “What do you mean ‘don’t worry about it’? Other than the fact that it’s a ridiculous amount, where are you going to get that kind of money?”

“I can afford it, trust me.”

I stop pacing and stare at him in disbelief.He can afford it?Exactly how much money does he have if he can afford to throw away two million dollars? No, doesn’t matter. I’m not letting him do this. He’s already planning ungodly things on my behalf; I can’t have him losing all his money, too.

“Call it off. Tell them it was a mistake. You can’t do this, Gage.”

“Of course I can. Iamdoing it.”

“Gage –”

He jumps to his feet, stopping me before I can say anything else.

“Look at me, Raven.”

I stare up at him begrudgingly. I know exactly how this is going to go. He’ll tell me what’s going to happen, ask me if I got it, and then end the conversation. I don’t even know why I try sometimes.