Book Three
By: Alana Sapphire
Copyright 2015 Alana Sapphire
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is entirely coincidental. Names, places, and characters are fictitious or, if real, used fictitiously. The author recognizes the trademarks and copyrights of all registered products or works mentioned.
Thank you for purchasing this eBook. This eBook remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. This eBook, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.
Cover and logo design by Margreet Asselbergs from Rebel Edit & Design © 2015
Edited by Hot Tree Editing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Other Books by Alana Sapphire
About the Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gage and Raven barged into my life more than a year ago. I started writing Claimed before I even thought of publishing Forbidden, so these characters have been with me for a while. I’m a little sad to see them go, so who knows? Maybe you’ll see them again ;)
I want to thank my family and friends for embarking on this journey with me. I love you. Thanks to Becky and Kristin at Hot Tree Editing for your guidance. Margreet Asselbergs at Rebel Edit & Design, thank you for my lovely cover. To my Hellhounds, you’re more than just a street team. Thank you for all you do and for being a sounding board for my madness.
My beta readers, thank you for your valuable input. Miguel, as always, you’re awesome! A HUGE thank you to all the bloggers who share my covers, teasers, links…you rock! To everyone who’s read and reviewed my books or even sent a message to say you liked them – thank you for your continued support. This wouldn’t be possible without you. I’ve been writing for most of my life and my words were for my eyes only. It was my therapy. Know that every word you read is a piece of my soul…and I’m sharing it with you.
Thank you all for your love and support!
***Disclaimer***
There is a character in the series whose road name is “Allah”. As explained in Tempted (book two), it was derived from a mispronunciation of the word “Holla”. It is in no way related to faith/religion, nor has any religious connotations. This book also explores the subjects of life after sexual assault, and depression. If these are triggers for you, please proceed with caution.
Claim
(Verb/Noun)
1. (v) State or assert that something is the case; Express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing
2. (n) A demand or request for something considered one’s due
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...I am a 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 I know it 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.
“He’s down at the station, but they have nothing. I won’t be surprised if he’s back here by this afternoon.”
Thank God. I need him. I need him here to hold me, to make me feel safe. Oh, God. What if this guy comes back for me? Panic grips me. Tears stream down my cheeks as I begin to hyperventilate.
“It’s okay, Raven. You’ll be fine. I’m here, and I’ll have two guys posted outside at all times. You’re safe.”
No, I’m not. I won’t be until Gage gets here.
***Gage***
Renley tosses a Ziploc-encased object on the table. My stomach roils. It’s a dildo. It’s the dildo. The one that violated my girl. The thing has to be at least ten inches long and four inches wide. Her blood is still on it. I turn away and clench my fists on the table. I promised I’d never let anyone hurt her, and I failed. I wasn’t there.