Page 35 of Claimed

“Okay, Miss Bossy. And I thought Gage was bad. What are you doing?”

She’s on her knees, rifling through the cabinet. She pulls out a bag of disposable razors and a can of shaving cream then sits on the edge of the bath.

“Legs.”

“You’re going to shave my legs?”

“Honey, have you looked at them lately?”

I take one look at them and give in. “You gonna shave my cooch, too?” I joke. “Haven’t done that, either.”

She raises her brows. “Depends. Anyone gonna see it?”

“Not anytime soon.”

“You okay...down there?”

“Yeah. I’m all healed. It’s more of an emotional thing.”

“I understand. I’m sure he does, too. Take your time. Work on this at your own pace. He’s waited this long, a little more time won’t kill him.”

“I’m going to see a therapist. Hopefully, she can help me.”

“That’s a good start. But now, let’s take care of the small things—legs first then your hair. All the color’s gone. Don’t worry, you’ll be your old self in no time.”

I hope so, not just for my sake but for Gage’s. After everything he’s done, everything he’s planning to do, he deserves it. He said I’m ‘better’, but he deserves the best. And that’s what I want to give him. I’ll get my shit sorted out and be the best damn girlfriend he could ever want.

CHAPTER 9

***Gage***

Fuck, I’m tired. All this running around plus no sleep is finally catching up to me. Atlanta was a total bust. The guys we found there didn’t know much. They weren’t even expecting a shipment of Dutch Wife. The guy in charge said the drug was still in its development stage and wasn’t ready for distribution. How did a drug that’s not even on the streets yet end up in Raven’s system? This puts me at a dead end, unless Tek can get into Briggs’ files. He’s been working on that laptop all day and I haven’t heard a peep out of him.

I drop my duffel in the closet and begin to undress.I better take a shower before I find Raven.Ron said the girls have been helping Chopper and Nita in the kitchen. At least she’s not cooped up in here. That’s a step forward. While looking for something to wear, I notice dresses next to my shirts. I let the material of one slip through my fingers. I like seeing them there. I like having her in my space. Right now, it may not be the way I pictured it would be, but it feels good. It feelsright.

I head into the shower and find her waiting for me in the bedroom when I get out. She’s obviously on edge, pacing and chewing on her thumbnail.

“You’re back.”

“Yeah. I was gonna come find you after –”

“How’d it go? What happened?”

I walk to the closet, unable to look her in the eyes. “Not much. There was nothing there.”

“Nothing? What do you mean ‘nothing’?

Turning to face her, I hang my head in disappointment. “I’m sorry, Raven. It was a dead end.”

She starts to hyperventilate.Fuck.

“Dead end? You promised me you’d find him. You promised!”

I move toward her but she pulls away in anger, staring daggers at me.

“What have you been doing all this time? This guy could be in Timbuktu by now for all we know. It’s been over a month and all you can tell me is that you hit a dead end?”

“Lower your voice.”