Page 9 of Claimed

I should give Ace a call. I haven’t had any problems with the Mexicans since I helped with their shipment, but it wouldn’t hurt to reach out toJefe. Oh, shit. It could have been the fuckers who were jacking the guns from the Mexicans. Then again, it could be some random motherfucker who just couldn’t keep his hands off her. No. This was me. She was hurt because some idiot thought it was the best way to get to me. Well, now they have my full attention. I’m going to rain down the wrath of Lucifer himself on these fools.

Raven shifts, trying to get comfortable and I think about her bound to her bed, helpless and screaming. My poor bird. I told her I’d protect her and I failed. I promised to keep her safe and I fuckingfailed. I knew this would happen. I should have stayed away from her. Instead, I pursued her for my own selfish needs and ended up getting her hurt. This is on me and once she realizes it, I know I’ll lose her. Forever.

Fuck that. She’s mine. There’s no way I’m losing her. No fucking way.

E sticks his head through the door and I wave him inside.

“How is she?” he asks in a quiet voice.

“Not good, E. I need to find this motherfucker. Fast.”

“I know. The guys haven’t dug up anything yet, but they’re not giving up.”

I fill him in on all the ideas I have, and he promises to take care of everything so I can stay with Raven. I also tell him to get with Chad, our guy at the lab, and about Rambo’s visit.

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

“It was the only way to get Renley off my back,” I reply.

“And you trust him? You think he’ll back off?”

“No, but we’ll see.”

He nods and jerks his chin toward Raven. “How long has she been out?”

“A while,” I answer.

“Her meds must have kicked in.” He pulls up a chair and stares at the wall in quiet contemplation. “I don’t understand, Gage. Who could have done this? If it’s a message, as you say, why haven’t we heard anything? Why didn’t they leave any clues?”

“I don’t know and I hatenotknowing. How soon can I get her out of here? At least if I have her at the clubhouse, I’ll know she’s safe and I can concentrate on finding the fucker.”

“At least a few days. They’ll bring in a rape counsellor first.”

Fuck. I didn’t even think of that. I’ve been focusing on her physical injuries, but she’ll be messed up in the head for God knows how long.

“You know anyone she could talk to? After?”

“I know a few psychiatrists I can recommend,” he replies. “I’ll make some calls, see who can take her.”

“Thanks, man.”

“No problem, brother,” he says while rising. “I’ll go talk to the guys and start making those calls.”

“Okay. Keep me updated.”

“Got it.”

“Anything on her sister?”

“Still not answering her phone, but Tek tracked her credit card. Last purchase in Georgia was at a gas station a few days ago. Next was a motel in Jacksonville. Everything else is in Miami. Looks like she went home.”

“Tell him to stop wasting time on her. We don’t need her anymore.”

He nods. “Sure thing.”

He leaves and it’s just me and my thoughts once again. There are too many unknown variables, too many questions with no answers. Someone has them. I just need to find him. Therein lies another question – how? If all our information channels are dry then this guy is either really good or he’s new around here. Or maybe he’snotfrom around here. He could be from another fucking country for all I know.

Raven groans and shifts in her sleep again. I hold her as tightly as I can without hurting her and she settles. I close my eyes and try to quiet my thoughts. Overthinking the situation never works.