“What’s the matter, Hunter? Can’t get it up?” Renley sneers.

My lawyer told me not to say anything until he gets here, but fuck that. “Fuck you. This was not me.”

“Yeah, well, excuse me if I don’t believe you.” He takes the seat opposite me and his deputy leans on the wall in the corner. “I couldn’t get you for Janet Presley, but your ass is mine this time.”

“Sorry, but I don’t swing that way. Your deputy looks like he does, though.”

Deputy Michaels grinds his teeth together but keeps his distance.

“Don’t worry, Michaels. I’m sure he’ll be very popular with the inmates up in State.”

“You have nothing on me and you know it. That’s why I’m still sitting here.”

“You were both seen riding around together in the morning –”

“That’s not illegal.”

“No, but rape is. Never knew you liked them so young, Hunter.”

Motherfucker. “Her doctors will tell you she was a virgin before she was attacked. I never touched her.”

“And that’s why you raped her. Because she wouldn’t let you touch her.”

“I did not rape her,” I state vehemently.

“There was no forced entry. She let her attacker in. She let you in.”

“She was excited about her birthday party. She could have left the door open.”

He leans forward and stabs the desk with his index finger. “We have a witness who saw you leaving her house right before the ambulance arrived.”

“Bullshit. I was nowhere near there and I can prove it.”

“Let me guess. One of your guys can vouch for you.”

“I have dozens of people who can vouch for me, but I don’t need them.” This is one of those times I’m thankful for surveillance cameras, and also for the fact that Tek is a paranoid son of a bitch who puts them everywhere. “I’ve got video footage documenting practically my entire day.”

Renley clenches his jaw. “How do we know it hasn’t been doctored?”

“My guys only watch live feeds. I’m the only one who has access to the recordings. Bring me my phone and I’ll show you right now.”

I can practically hear his teeth grinding against each other. He sees his whole case blowing up before his eyes. He jerks his head toward Michaels and the other man leaves the room. Leaning back in the chair, I observe him. Usually, I’d love to throw his failure in his face, but I just need to get out of here and back to Raven. She needs me.

Michaels returns and I quickly tap into my security system. I show them the Kitty, making sure I point out the timestamps of my arrival and departure. Same thing for Scythe.

“My sister Ellen, and I’m sure anyone who saw them, can tell you she picked Raven up at the salon and took her home.”

I bring up the footage from my house and show them me entering, then Ellen arriving, and finally me running out after I got the phone call. The officers stare at each other with uncertainty.

“You could have easily gotten someone to do your dirty work for you.”

“If that’s so, Deputy Michaels, you just agreed your witness is full of shit.”

He blanches, realizing the mistake he’s made. Renley taps his finger on the table. “Say you’re innocent. Why would someone go through all this trouble?”

“A lot of people have grudges against me, Renley.”

I gesture toward him and he narrows his eyes at me. This has gone on far too long. It’s time to set the record straight.

“Look, I need to get back to the hospital, so I’m going to settle this once and for all. I didn’t hurt Janet. Her psycho of an ex-boyfriend did and threatened to kill her if she didn’t finger me. I convinced her to recant after I promised to get her far away. And I did. If you want proof, I can make a phone call and she’ll be here by tomorrow. I just need to know you’ll drop this once she tells the truth.”

They stare at each other again, having some unspoken conversation, and then Michaels nods.

“There’s still the matter of the missing evidence.”

“You can’t blame me for your negligence, Sheriff.”

He’s shit out of luck if he thinks I’m copping to that. Especially since I’m going to need my contact at the lab now. I dial Rambo and put the phone to my ear. “Rambo, I need you in Stony View yesterday…and bring your old lady.”

***Raven***

He’s here. I don’t need to open my eyes to know it’s him. He’s finally here, and I can’t look at him. How can I face him after what happened? He’ll never look at me the same way again. I no longer have what he wanted, what he’s waited so long for. I’m damaged goods.

His scent grows stronger and I feel him standing over me. Tears gather behind my lids. I shut my eyes tighter to keep them there, but that just makes it worse. He gently wipes a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

“Raven, look at me.”

It’s like opening the floodgates. He’s blurry through my teary-eyed vision, but I couldn’t bear to see his expression anyway. I couldn’t bear to see disgust in his eyes. He hands me his bandana, slowly sliding his fingers through my hair.

“It’s okay, doll. I’m here.”

He doesn’t sound disgusted. A little sad but…compassionate. I brave his stare and his blue eyes glint at me. No judgment, no repulsion. I breathe a sigh of relief. As he leans in, I grab his shirt and pull him down to me, burying my face in his chest and taking a deep breath. His scent fills my body, mind, and senses. I hold my breath for as long as I can then let it out slowly. This is what I needed. Peace.

“My little puppy. That’s why I made sure I showered before I came back here.”

I crack a small smile as he drops a tender kiss on my forehead. He pulls up a chair, but I shake my head and pat the bed. I need him next to me. He carefully moves me over and I struggle onto my side – the one with the good shoulder. I lay my head on his chest as he settles in next to me and just breathe him in. His strong, steady heartbeat calms and reassures me. He’s here.

“I’m sorry, Raven.”

The pain in his voice grabs my heart. What does he have to be sorry for?

“This is my fault. I’m the reason this happened to you.”

Before I can object, Ellen and Aunt Nita walk in, followed by Millie, Chrissy, and Toni. They gather around us, each one appearing to be fighting back tears. Millie cups my cheek and smiles weakly.

“How are you, sweetheart?”

I look around the room again. Chrissy and Toni have lost the battle, sniffling as tears roll down their cheeks. Ellen looks to the ceiling, still putting up a fight. I break down again, fisting my hand in Gage’s shirt.

“Oh, shit,” he mutters under his breath.

It can’t be easy for him, being surrounded by five crying females. They move closer, each touching me in support.

“You’re not alone, Raven. We’re all here for you…anything you need.”

I nod to Aunt Nita as she hands me a tissue. Gage strokes my hair, trying to soothe me. In the midst of my sobbing, it hits me that I don’t really know why I’m crying again. It was triggered by the others, their tears and the looks in their eyes. I know what happened to me and I feel the effects of it, but I guess it doesn’t seem real. Maybe it’s because I don’t remember what happened, but I don’t feel it. I’m sad, upset, and a little scared, but that true feeling of violation is just beyond my reach.

Chrissy holds up a bag then sets it on a chair. “I brought you some stuff…my kindle and iPod. They won’t let us into your place.”

“I brought you some soup…the way my Mom makes it,” Toni says as she places the container on the table next to the bed. I’m not really hungry but if I could eat anything, it would be Mama Doreen’s soup.

“Thanks, guys.”

They visit with me for about an hour before the nurse from earlier comes in and announces she has to check my bandages. The ladies leave and Gage carefully climbs out of the bed.

The nurse looks pointedly at the door. “Sir.”

I grab his hand before he even acknowledges her. She presses her lips together and narrows her eyes at him.