by KL Donn
They were trying to convince him that marriage to a girl—they kept saying that—wasn’t a good idea. She was too young, too naïve. She couldn’t know what she wanted right now. Not after all that she’d been dealt.
They were wrong.
She was wrong.
He could see the doubts swirling in her pale stare. Whatever she thought Nox and Levi were saying was messing with her mind.
“Enough,” Loch finally snapped. “I don’t care what you think. Not about this. Not about her. You have Soph, Nox, and she worships everything about you. She’s giving you everything you’ve ever wanted.” Nox looked away. “And you, you have Hayes, even when she wants to kick your ass, she still wants to kiss you. There isn’t a damn thing she wouldn’t or hasn’t done for you.” Levi looked sheepish. “So why are you trying to convince me to give up my girl? She’s mine. We’ve been building up to us for almost a year. You guys are acting like just because we haven’t really spoken until this clusterfuck happened that we don’t know each other. Her eyes speak so much louder than words, and I had to watch for almost nine months as Sage screamed at me to take her away, to give her life. And now, I’m finally able to do that without going to prison, and you’re trying to fuck that up for me!” All movement had ceased around them, and everyone was staring as he basically threw a hissy fit.
“Shit.” Nox squeezed his shoulder.
“Damn, bro.” Levi smiled. “When did you start talking so much?”
He shrugged, not knowing what to say anymore now that everyone knew just how he felt. Including Sage. Tears pooled in her eyes as she sat on the step of the ambulance only ten feet away, her brothers and sister beside her smiling. Relief was evident on all their faces at his confession.
Her eyes. Those perfect crystal clear blue irises were hiding everything she was feeling now. He couldn’t get a read on her for the first time since meeting her.
Pushing past his brothers, he walked over to her. “Sage?”
“You could have gone to jail.” She sounded horrified.
“I wanted to rescue you. Swear to God, every time you walked into the shop, I wanted to steal you away.”
“You would have gone to jail for sure.” She seemed stuck on the jail part.
“You would have been worth it.”
“I’m not, though. I’m just a silly girl.”
“I won’t argue with you about just how important you are to me. You’re everything, Sage. There isn’t a single thing in the world I won’t do for you. You have to know that by now.”
“I do.”
“Then marry me.” He couldn’t let that go. No matter what anyone thought, for them, it was right.
She hesitated for a split second before saying, “yes,” so quietly he almost missed it.
“You’re going to hell!” was screamed before he could react to the acceptance.
“No, mother.” Sage stood calmly, sauntering over to the woman who gave her life. “If you would just open your eyes and heart, you would see there is so much more than what was forced on you.”
“You’re Satan’s whore,” the woman shrieked.
Sage flinched but continued on. “Father shouldn’t have married you. You were fifteen, you had no choice. I understand that now, more than ever before. But what he’s doing to us at this moment, forcing everyone to stay behind these walls, making us forfeit a life where happiness and love are prevalent isn’t fair. Now is your time to learn and to leave, Mother.” Reaching out a hand, Sage asked, “Come with me, please.”
The woman’s gaze was swimming with confusion and fear before she snapped out, “I hope Lucifer drags you into the bowels of Hell and plays you like a fiddle.” The sharp inhale from Sage conveyed her hurt at the woman’s words.
“Hey!” Loch finally cracked. “She’s offering you a chance at a new life. She’s offering you far more than I or anyone else I know would do. She is your flesh and blood, and in my presence, you will damn well show her the respect she deserves.” Speechless, Sage’s mother only stared at him. “You sat back and watched her being bullied and abused for years; you owe her. Not the other way around.” He was seething with rage thinking about all Sage had to tolerate that by the time he’d finished speaking, he had to hold back from throttling the stubborn woman.
“How dare you!” she barked back.
“Enough of this.” Frank stood between them. “Mrs. Marlowe, your husband is being taken to the county jail. You can choose to follow and find out about a bail hearing or stay here.” He didn’t give the woman a chance to respond as he turned to face Loch, who had pulled Sage into his embrace. “Lochlan, take Miss Marlowe to the hospital to be evaluated and then home. Let her rest where she’ll have peace. Bring her some tea and tell her about that time you and Levi decided flying was a good idea. She looks like she needs a good laugh.”
“Come on, Loch, let’s get her out of here.” Nox guided his brother towards the waiting ambulance once again.
“Porter,” Loch called to Sage’s oldest brother.
“Yes?”
“You guys coming? We’ll help get you squared away,” he offered.
The three of them appeared torn, lost at what to do. He knew the answer before it was given. “I think we’ll stay.” Loch nodded. “For now.” He was relieved to know they would think about it.
“Are you sure?” Sage questioned. Leaving them behind wouldn’t be easy for her. She loved them fiercely.
Hugging his sister to his chest, Porter whispered to her, “You go, savor that love. I have to take care of Mother. Make sure the girls will be alright.”
Nodding her head, Sage embraced them each one last time before walking back to Loch. Making their way to the awaiting ambulance, he said to her quietly, “I’m proud of you.”
“What for?” She sounded perplexed.
“Giving your mother that chance. I couldn’t have done it.”
“You would have.” She seemed so sure. “If it were Lorraine, you would have.”
Maybe he would have.
One thing was for sure, though, no one would ever speak to Sage like that again.
Not while he was around.
Chapter Eleven
We cannot control the wind, but we can direct the sails.
The days came and went, blending together into what seemed like one long, drawn-out span of time full of emotion and exhaustion. Sage had found it exceedingly hard to be away from her family. As hellish as her life had been for years, starting over wasn’t as easy as she hoped.
Lochlan remained amazing. He spent every available minute with her at Lorraine’s home, telling her of all the things he and his brothers used to get into as children. Trying to ease her homesickness with his stories.
Lorraine was a complete doll, showing Sage as many pictures as she asked to see of their family together. She enjoyed the stories of the woman’s husband, Lucas, the most. Hearing the love in her voice for her man was what any young girl’s dreams were made of.
When the news came of her father and Morgan being released from jail on bail until the trial, Sage had found it hard to breathe. Anxiety had consumed her so thoroughly, she had a panic attack. Loch had held her long into the night as she fought to hold onto any semblance of control she had begun to find.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” Lorraine asked coming outside on the porch where Sage was sitting. Lochlan had just left for the start of the work week, and she was feeling vulnerable again.
“Confused. Sad. Furious.” She looked out over the woman’s beautiful rose garden as she spoke. “Yet I’m happy as I’ve ever been. I can’t recall a time in my life where I’ve felt so content.”
“Why are you sad?” Lorraine’s question made her think.
“I miss my family. My friends. My mother, Lord bless her, wasn’t always loving, but she’s a part of me, and I’m sad she can’t see that she’s free now.”
Wrapping a warm arm around her shoulders, Lorraine replied, “Oh Sage, I wish it were so simple. S
oon enough, you’ll realize that no matter how much change might be good for someone, leaving a life they’ve only ever known isn’t as easy one may think. Your mother has been with Gideon for most of her life. She’s probably terrified. Leaving her home isn’t as simple as walking away. It’s abandoning an entire belief system.”
“I did it,” Sage uttered.
“You sure did,” she confirmed. “But look how miserable you are. You’re worrying yourself sick. But you have a support system out here, my boys and I would do anything for you. Especially Lochlan. Your mother has no one. She hadn't suffered the same fate as you did before you left. And until she learns what it’s like to be hurt by the one thing she believed in, I’m afraid she may never leave.”
“I guess that would go for my siblings, too?”
“I would say so, yes.” Lorraine sounded as sad as Sage felt, confirming she may never see her family again.
They would never let her back through those gates. Not for anything. She would have to watch as an outsider. Maybe her mother was right, and she was going to Lucifer. Perhaps she shouldn’t have left.
Just the thought of it had her chest tightening with regret. She couldn’t go back even if she wanted to. Lochlan was her sole reason for leaving, and if she didn’t have him in her life, she wouldn’t survive no matter where she was. He was her light in the darkness. He lifted her when she was down. Being without him wasn’t an experience she was willing to endure.
“I missed Sunday prayer,” she whispered. Not having thought about it sooner, Sage felt empty inside. She might be beaten down and doubtful of her church’s motives, but she knew her God still needed her. She still needed Him.
“I’ll call Braxton.” Lorraine pulled away, leaving Sage confused as she entered her home.
“Who’s Braxton?”
It wasn’t long before she found out when a man nearly twice Lochlan’s size with the coldest gray eyes she’d ever seen parked a massive vehicle and walked up the sidewalk towards her.
Standing and on edge, Sage walked backwards towards the front door just as Lorraine exited the entry. “You’re a quick one, young man.”
“I was told to be around.” His voice was like rough timber. It washed over her, soothing her in the same way that his presence scared her. “I’m Braxton Hughes.” He offered his hand. Sage, too terrified to take it, stared. He chuckled. “It’s alright. Soph had the same reaction when we first were introduced. I’ll be your shadow until Loch–” He stopped talking for a moment, shooting a strange look at Sage’s companion. “Well, until things are squared away.” His words were flat. Almost disappointed.
“I don’t understand.” What did she need him for?
“He hasn’t told her?” His question was directed towards Lorraine.
“There hasn’t been time.” They’re talking like Sage wasn’t there.
“I still don’t understand,” Sage says again.
His glare meets hers, and she’s sucked into a vortex of spinning confusion. One minute he’s cold, and the next, he wears sympathy like armor. “Nox and Loch asked me to stick around for a bit. Make sure you aren’t accosted.”
Still perplexed, she asked, “Why would I be accosted?”
“I’m gonna kick your son’s ass, Lorraine,” Braxton muttered, clearly annoyed by whatever it was she was missing.
“You will not,” she huffed out.
Frustration built in Sage as they continued a conversation she was being left out of. It was hurtful and puzzling. “Stop it! Just stop it. What is going on?” All she had wanted to do was feel connected to her faith again.
“Morgan said some things that worried Frank. Your man wants to make sure you’re safe when he can’t be around,” Braxton explained, and she wasn’t sure if that left her more or less bewildered anymore. “He asked for me to stick close by in case you wanted to go out. He knew you’d push him into going to work, and he didn’t want to stress you out.”
“I’m going to change,” Sage muttered before walking into the house. Anxiety rattled her body as she walked up the steps. Morgan had been around for many years, and up until the past twelve months, she hadn’t feared him. Now, every time his name got mentioned, her skin crawled.
Knowing he might still want her, even though Frank had assured her there was now a restraining order in place, horrified her. She wasn’t worth the trouble she was causing, so she didn’t understand his persistence.
She was just a simple, naïve girl. There was nothing special about her. She wasn’t anyone. All Sage had ever wanted was true love. With Lochlan, she felt like she was definitely going to get it. Except, would he find her worth it when all was said and done? Would she remain as appealing to him when he realized all she’d done was cause him problems?
“You’re really going to marry this girl?” Joey asked for the hundredth time. Mac and Asher were on their way to Arizona to deliver the ’56 Bentley Coupe soft top they’d repainted for an older couple, so it was just the two of them back at the shop.
“Yeah, Joe, I am.” He was growing frustrated with the other man.
“But why? It’s not like you know her that well.” The genuine confusion in the man’s voice was the only reason Loch wasn’t following in his brothers’ footsteps and ramming his fist down Joe’s throat.
“You ever been in love, Joey?” Loch pointedly asked.
An expression unlike anything he’d ever seen crossed his friend’s face. “No.”
“But you think you have.” Loch had never seen this side of the normally crude man. “You know what it’s like when she consumes your every thought. She smiles, and you want to keep her that way for as long you can? That’s Sage. What I feel for her is beyond love, it’s more intense. It’s harsh and overwhelming. She consumes everything I feel when I’m not with her, and my every cell when I am.”
“She feels the same way?”
“When she’s not being overwhelmed by her family and their thoughts, yeah, she does. She isn’t as open about it yet, but she will be.” He knew she would.
“And what happens if she decides she wants to go back?” His question brought on a thought Loch hadn’t considered.
“I’ll give her a reason to stay.” He shrugged.
“What if she thinks you’re too damaged for her?” Joey’s question confused Loch until he saw the hurt in the other man’s gaze.
He had the feeling they weren’t talking about himself and Sage any longer. “I guess I’d have to show her that through the damage, she was my shining star. She was every reason I’d ever need to make her world right.”
They worked quietly after that, and for the first time since meeting Joey, Loch looked at him a little differently. He had always been a loud-mouthed jerk, never afraid to express an opinion to get a rise out of someone, and now, Loch wondered if he wasn’t just as wounded inside as Nox and Levi had left him on the outside.
Loneliness emitted from the other man, and Loch realized how truly lucky he was to have found Sage. How lucky they were to have been given the chance to be with each other.
With Nox doing actual paperwork and Levi busy getting Hogan’s Cage—their newest business venture, and also Levi’s baby—ready for opening, Loch had no choice but to leave Sage home with his mom. He had a driving need to tie her to him as quickly as possible after all the information they’d been given about her father and Morgan from Frank and Braxton.
Loch worried that Morgan wasn’t going to give her up as effortlessly as he’d have liked. Brax had hesitated in babysitting as he liked to call it, at first. However, when Sophia got involved and pouted at him, he’d given in. After going through her own life-endangering experience from her own mother, she had the man wrapped around her finger.
Once he had been filled in on everything that was going on with Sage’s family, he’d been less resistant to help out. Currently, he was camped out a block away from Loch’s mother’s house surveilling the whole neighborhood. Not wanting anyone sneaking past.
Sage
worried Loch. She was waking up with nightmares she couldn’t or wouldn’t remember and has been hesitant in accepting his comfort. He wanted to get her out of Loveland as soon as possible.
After basically demanding that she marry him at the compound, they hadn’t spoken about it out loud again, but it was all Loch could think about. Her having his name, wearing his ring, belonging to him. It consumed him in a gut-wrenching manor. It physically hurt him knowing she wasn’t his yet.
Nox and Levi had tried to talk him out of it until Hayes and Soph told them both to shut it and politely explained that they were precisely the same way. The only difference being, Loch wasn’t waiting the way they were. His brothers had protested that one and promptly took their girls home, leaving Loch to ponder on his own empty house, wondering what Sage was doing. How she was feeling.
They still knew very little about each other. Their likes and dislikes, the quirks that would drive most people wild. His mother had tried to point that out to him the night before while Sage was relaxing in a warm tub. Loch had simply explained to Lorraine that they had all the time in the world. Because they did.
Even with the feeling of impending doom sitting in his gut, Loch knew it was right. Like he knew the sun would set each night and rise each morning. Some things were just meant to be.
Sage was meant to be his.
Loch’s mom had wanted to accompany Sage to the church, intent on introducing her to the pastor, but she had managed to convince the older woman that she craved anonymity after what had happened at the hospital. If not for Braxton, she likely wouldn’t have been able to do it.
He’d managed to convince Lorraine that Sage needed time to make peace with herself alone and without an audience. Hating to admit it herself, Sage remained quiet as he spoke. He was right. The feelings of disconnect from the deity she’d worshipped her entire life was chilling her to the bone. While Sage believed her father followed a traditional Christian Bible and their beliefs, she also understood that he had warped them to his own indulgences and what he thought the congregation should be.