Page 41 of Tempted
“What did you talk about?”
I look to Millie in mock confusion and backto Renley. “What’s this about? I know it’s not illegal to talk topeople.”
“It isn’t…but I know it was him those bikerswere after. And I believe you were with him.”
“Why would I have been with him?”
“You were seen leaving Chiquita’stogether.”
“We went out back, talked, and then went ourseparate ways.”
Finally, I get an expression from him. Heraises an eyebrow.
“Really now?”
“Yes…really.”
“You’re protecting him. I don’t know why orwho you think he is, but let me enlighten you.”
He opens a file folder I hadn’t even noticedbefore and pulls out some pictures. He lays one on the counter andI look down at it. It’s a gorgeous girl with the most intense greeneyes I’ve ever seen. Glossy brown hair, and lips women pay afortune for.
“What the hell are you doing, Renley?”
Millie’s voice drags my attention away fromthe picture. She looks like she’s about to rip the man’s head off,but he ignores her.
“That’s Janet Presley,” Renley says, pointingto the picture.
I try not to react to the name, but I thinkhe caught wind of the fact that I’ve heard it before.
“Well…before Hunter got to her.”
He slaps down four other photos and I gasp inshock. Each one is of Janet but documenting different injuries. Theone of her face shows her eyes black and blue and swollen shut. Asa matter of fact, her whole face is swollen and covered in cuts andbruises, her lips split. There are choke marks around her neck. Theothers show her arm in a cast and horrible bruises on her ribs andstomach.
“Is she…did she die?”
“No, as far as I know, but she was raped andbeaten within an inch of her life. She fingered Hunter once shewoke up, but she didn’t have to. We had evidence, his semen insideher. A few days later, evidence goes missing, she recants herstory, and disappears from the hospital.”
“That’s enough, Renley,” Millie states withfinality.
The wind chimes sound again and Gage stepsin, murder in his eyes. Renley grabs his hat but doesn’t pack upthe pictures until he’s sure Gage has seen them. He lays a businesscard on the table before he leaves.
“Call me.”
The two men glare at each other as Renleywalks out. I can’t move. I can’t think. It can’t be true. Gagewould never do that…would he? He’s not that kind of man. Or is he?That night he was so angry about my clothes comes rushing back. Theway he’d slammed his palm into the wall…did he really want to hitme instead? And then when he spanked me at the club…was he justholding back? And rape? This must be what Chris and Chrissy triedto warn me about. With all the drama, I forgot to ask Gage aboutit.Oh, God. What have I gotten myself into?
“Raven.”
His voice sounds far away. I slowly raise mygaze to his, my body trembling in shock and fear.
“Take her around back. Use my office,” Millietells him.
He takes my hand and pulls me along behindhim, locking the door once we’re in Millie’s office. I stand in thecorner, hugging myself tightly. He reaches for me and I pull away,tears welling in my eyes.
“Babe?”
“Is it true? Did you…did you do that to thatgirl?”
“No! Of course not. Do you reallythink…?”
