Page 76 of Claimed By a King

“Leave her alone,” Alana snaps. “Sit your ass back down or get the hell out.”

“Alana,” he says, a warning clear in his voice.

“No,” she hisses. “This isn’t about you. Zoe needs time and you’re going to fucking give it to her. Don’t make me make you.”

I whimper again, scared of what Gunner will do to her. “Don’t make him angry,” I beg. “Just…”

“Shh, it’s okay, Zoe. Please try to sit up for me.” I feel her hand on my arm, brushing up and down my skin in a soothingmotion. “You need to get something to eat or you won’t be able to wear my clothes anymore.”

My lips twitch as though they’re trying to form a smile but have forgotten how to.

“And I know you love my shorts, but right now you don’t have the ass to fill them out. So how about we get some food in you, hmm?”

I don’t understand how she can sound so calm, or why she isn’t scared out of her mind. None of this makes sense at all.

While I try to sort through the myriad of thoughts and onslaught of emotions inside me, Alana strokes my hair.

“Do you remember that story I told you about my mom the last time we sat like this?” she asks, a smile lilting her tone.

“Y-yes.”

God, it feels like another lifetime when I was lying on the floor in the storage space. Alana was stroking my hair, telling me about her horrible mom while I was panicking after Gray forced me to suck him off at Dirty Diamonds.

“I knew back then that you were stronger than you let on, Zoe. So I need you to use some of that strength now.”

Without meaning to, I snort. I’m not strong at all. I haven’t put up much of a fight, or even been strong enough to fight Gunner off. All I’ve done is play his game and let him use my body.

“You don’t believe me?” Alana asks, reading my snort perfectly. “The fact you disagree just proves my point. You’re still in there, Zoe. I just need you to break free of whatever is holding you down. Sit up and at least have something to drink.”

As soon as she mentions it, I can feel how dry my throat is. And my head is pounding in that way that tells me I’m dehydrated.

I wordlessly try to pull myself up, but my entire body hurts so badly I can’t do it without Alana’s help. I don’t need to ask for it. The moment she sees what I’m trying to do, she moves with me, and wraps her arms around me to assist.

Keeping my focus on her, I ignore the rustling and movement I hear. Despite knowing that we’re not alone, I’mbeginning to relax. For the first time in months, my brain doesn’t sound alarm bells, and I don’t feel as much on edge.

“Here,” Alana says as she hands me a bottle of water.

Grateful, I take it from her outstretched hand and gulp most of it down before removing it from my mouth. “Thank you,” I breathe.

She nods and hands me a roll with so much butter it glistens. My mouth salivates at the thought of butter, so I’m quick to take a bite, and before I know it, I’ve eaten three.

“Do you need the bathroom? A shower? Do you want some other clothes?” Alana fires questions at me so quickly I barely have time to process them.

I look down at myself, surprised to see I’m now wearing a tee that looks—and smells—like one of Gray’s. It’s way too big on my small frame, but it’s hiding all the ugly scars I’ve collected.

Yawning, I scoot down the bed and lie down, making myself comfortable. “I’m good,” I say.

Taking my time, I look around and I’m not sure I dare believe what I’m seeing. This isn’t the room I was forced to share with Gunner. It looks like… Gray’s. Well, mine and his.Ours.

My throat thickens, and swallowing becomes difficult as I really take in Alana’s words from earlier. “Am I really free?” I ask, scared to hope.

“You’re free, Princess.”

This time I don’t ignore the voice. I turn my head and look toward the corner where Gray’s sitting. At least I’m almost positive it’s him… a darker, unkempt, and wild version of him. But him all the same.

“Gray?” I squeak. I try to reach for him, but my arm just kind of flops back down. “But you’re… they said… I read…”

I trail off as memories of attacking him, seeing him, and being held by him floods back. He stood up for me when Rose wanted to sedate me. And the pinky promise once again comes to the forefront of my mind.

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