Page 82 of Tempted

“No-go on the Lonnie situation, boss,” Ronsays. “No one’s seen her in days, and she’s not answering herphone.”

“Keep trying. Talk to what’s hername…Gina…Super Head. Raven said she and Lonnie are friends.”

“Got it.”

Finally, I see E heading my way. He stops atthe end of the hallway and motions for me to follow him. He leadsme to his office and closes the door quietly.

“What’s going on, E?”

“You should sit down.”

I don’t like the look in his eyes. He’sstruggling, having a hard time with whatever he’s about to tell me.I don’t even know how to prepare myself. “Just tell me.”

He takes a deep breath and perches on hisdesk.

“Raven was attacked…assaulted.”

“How bad is she hurt?”

“Gage…”

“Talk to me, damn it!”

Tears gather in his eyes, and I struggle tofind something to hold me up. E doesn’t cry.Raven…my babydoll…

“I’m sorry, Gage.”

CHAPTER 18

***Gage***

Empty. Hollow. Dead. That’s how I feel. Allmy physical senses have deserted me. I can’t see, hear, smell,touch, taste. I fall back on the wall and slide slowly down untilI’m sitting on the floor. The last three months flash through mymind. Everything I said and did. Everything I should have said anddone. Now, I’ll never get the chance.I’m sorry. Doctorsonly say that when…no.No.

“What do you mean you’resorry?”

“Maybe I should start from thebeginning.”

“Is she…alive?”

“Yes! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it thatway.”

“Well, whatdidyou mean?”

“She’ll be fine. Eventually.”

I expel the breath I’ve been holding. Relieffloods my body. She’s going to be okay. “What happened?”

“When the cops found her, she was tied to herbed.”

He holds my gaze, as if willing me to figureout the meaning behind his words. One word flashes in red neon inmy mind – bed. “Fuck, no! Please, E…don’t tell me –”

He nods.

“Jesus Christ!”

I can’t breathe. The only thing I can thinkabout is finding the motherfucker responsible and making himsuffer.

“They did a rape kit, nothing invasive yet.They’ll need her permission for that when she wakes up but they’renot optimistic about DNA. Her attacker used a dildo.”