SAGE

by Jessica Caryn

  Sage and I got in the car.

  Adam’s car was nearby. He was good.

  Scott, Charlotte and Mitch would have to figure it out.

  Sage checked the money as I drove.

  We were on a stretch of desert highway.

  “Sweetheart, we have to switch the plan.”

  “No.” She said softly.

  “I want you safe.” I glanced at her.

  “You need me.” Her lip trembled. “I won’t leave.”

  I didn’t want to argue with her.

  There were three banks left.

  This was too dangerous for her.

  I clutched the wheel.

  “I have to hit up Conrad on a professional note.”

  “You trust them to have your back?”

  “No.” I smiled. “But I’ll be alright darlin.”

  “If you break your promise I’m gone.”

  The truth in her words hurt my heart.

  “Sage, don’t leave me again.”

  “You told me I was in.” She shrugged.

  “If I’m out. I’m done.”

  I drove off the highway into the desert.

  I hit the brakes and the car spun in the dust.

  I threw it in park.

  I got out the car.

  I stared at the sand.

  I tried to regulate how I felt.

  “Ramsey, I can do this and you know it!”

  I glanced over my shoulder.

  “Get back in the car.”

  I couldn’t deal with her attitude right now.

  I did all of this for her.

  If I would’ve known it was Conrad’s shit…”

  “Ramsey…”

  “Sage get in the fucking car!”

  She flinched. I hadn’t ever yelled at her.

  I saw it. I shook my head. Don’t do it.

  “Fuck you Ramsey!” She screamed. “We’re done!”

  I came for her quick.

  She backed up and her butt hit the car hood.

  “I should’ve stayed in New Orleans.”

  My eyes locked on hers.

  “I should’ve let Scott put a bullet in Billy’s head.”

  She smacked me hard across the face.

  I shoved her and she fell onto the hood.

  She tried to kick me.

  I grabbed her and pulled her to me.

  She tried to break my hold and flip.

  I held her thigh, blocked her elbow, and pinned her arms behind her.

  I tilted my head before she could head butt me.

  “Get off me!”

  “Calm the fuck down!” I growled.

  “I can’t be without you again.” She sobbed.

  “Please don’t send me away.”

  I gave her a rough kiss.

  We fell onto the car hood.

  I put my hand underneath her.

  She wrapped her legs around me.

  “Please forgive me.”

  Her voice was soft and sweet in my ear.

  She kissed my neck.

  My will power broke.

  I palmed her butt and pulled off her boots.

  She tilted her hips so I could yank off her pants.

  I put them under her.

  The car hood was hot.

  She ripped off my shirt and tossed that behind her.

  She opened her legs.

  Her wetness had soaked through her panties.

  I ripped her shirt and she moaned.

  I made quick work of her bra and panties.

  The hot sun glistened on her skin.

  She gazed up at me with that full pout.

  I rushed to unbuckle my pants.

  She spread her legs wider.

  I came for her.

  Her skin was warm to the touch.

  I thrust in deep.

  She was wet and tight.

  Sweet fire.

  I didn’t want to hurt her.

  She pleaded for it in my language.

  I came in rough.

  She bit into my shoulder.

  She couldn’t leave me again.

  I couldn’t live without her.

  The emotion hit me.

  I promised myself to her.

  She wanted me to be satisfied.

  I wanted her to stay.

  I made love to her in the desert heat.

  She cried out in ecstasy.

  I kept her in each orgasm.

  She couldn’t leave.

  Please Sweetheart. I need you to stay.

  I pulled her into the emotion with me.

  She confessed her heart and promised herself to me.

  I hit my limit and we climaxed together.

  She collapsed against me exhausted.

  She struggled to breathe in the hot air.

  I carried her to the car and put her inside.

  I turned on the air and adjusted the vents.

  I grabbed a blanket and some bottles of water out of the backset. She settled in. I picked up the clothes and her boots. I put the stuff in the trunk. I searched our bags. I grabbed a cotton dress and a shirt for me.

  I closed the trunk and got in the car.

  She glanced at me with those beautiful eyes.

  I kissed that bruised pout.

  I put on my shirt and she adjusted her sundress.

  She settled in and I pulled back onto the highway.

  I took big sips of water.

  Damn I almost had a heat stroke.

  I smiled it. It was worth it.

  I felt her shift close to me.

  “Are you still mad?” Her voice was hoarse.

  “No.” I put my arm around her.

  “I won’t say it again.” She promised.

  I kissed her forehead.

  When she threatened to leave, it hurt.

  Sage knows where I’m at with it.

  We drove to Las Vegas.

  It was her first time and I wanted her to have fun.

  I had to get in contact with Conrad soon.

  We just robbed him in his home state.

  I had to handle this shit with care.

  Brian and Sal would be at the hotel.

  I’ll call Greg when I got there.

  I wanted an update on the men in Oklahoma.

  If they were Scott’s men, we would take care of it.

  Conrad’s men, we would have to be careful.

  I had fifty million reasons to act civilized.

  I had money and I don’t care about the jewels.

  I glanced at Sage.

  She was asleep

  All of this was for her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SAGE

  California- Bank # 8

  I was surprised to see Brian. He put me in a bear hug. I laughed and complained. He had a beautiful woman with him. She hugged Ramsey, whispered in his ear, and then kissed his face.

  I was mad and jealous.

  Brian’s laughter didn’t help.

  Ramsey took her hand.

  What the fuck? I’ll hurt them both.

  Ramsey introduced her as Sal.

  Oh that shit didn’t help either.

  I thought Sal was one of the guys.

  She told me the nickname was short for Salina.

  I gave her a slight smile.

  My problem was with Ramsey not her.

  I knew how to be civilized when I had to be.

  They finally told me she was Brian’s girlfriend.

  Ramsey winked at me and I blushed.

  Brian kissed my cheek and teased me.

  Sal told him to shut up.

  Brian blushed and I laughed.

  She had him trained!

  I tried to apologize but Sal hugged me.

  “Ramsey couldn’t live without you.” She whispered.

  We became instant friends after that.

  I could tell Sal was used to the outlaw lifestyle.

  She was independent like me.

  We turned Vegas into a mini vacation with trips to the s
pa and great shows. I liked the slots. Sal liked cards. The guys told us we needed supervision at night. They were right. Sal and Brian left Vegas a few days before us. Ramsey and I had passionate nights in our hotel room. I understand why they call it “Sin City.”

  I took a breath and came back to the present.

  I was in the truck next to Ramsey.

  I snapped my hood in place.

  I adjusted the bandana over my nose and mouth.

  My gloves felt comfortable.

  Charlotte was talking as usual.

  Ramsey told her to be quiet. I closed my eyes. I heard Adam say the time. I waited to feel the shift. I moved in sync with Ramsey. We jumped out the truck, ran up the steps, and went inside the bank.

  Ramsey and Charlotte ran past me.

  I made sure the guards were on the floor.

  Mitch had trouble getting over the counter.

  Are you fucking serious?

  I checked for Scott.

  He secured the customers.

  Mitch made it behind the counter.

  I glanced up at the high tech cameras.

  I didn’t waste my time shooting them.

  I heard a gunshot and screams.

  I rushed to the counter.

  There was woman bleeding out on the floor.

  “She hit the alarm.” Mitch yelled.

  I bent down to check on the woman.

  The bullet hit her low in the stomach.

  She loss too much blood.

  Her body relaxed and the light left her eyes.

  “Do something!” Someone cried.

  “She’s gone.” I said quietly.

  Mitched grabbed one of the clerks.

  “Give me the keys!”

  I glanced at the metal holding boxes.

  I told him she didn’t have it.

  I wasn’t about to start hitting locks this late.

  We had a dead woman and the alarm was hit.

  It was time to go.

  Adam came on my ear piece.

  “50 seconds. Get out!”

  I jumped the counter.

  C’mon Ramsey.

  I glanced at my watch.

  I saw him run into the lobby.

  I ran outside and down the steps.

  I heard the sirens.

  The truck sped around the corner.

  Adam pulled up to the curb.

  I jumped in the truck.

  Ramsey came in behind me.

  Scott, Charlotte and Mitch were in.

  Adam sped off.

  I was silent on drive to the checkpoint.

  I shook my head.

  Ramsey stared at me.

  He knew I would wait.

  We pulled up to the checkpoint on time.

  We got out of the truck

  Ramsey asked what happened.

  I told him.

  Mitch got defensive.

  Ramsey told Scott to take care it.

  Mitch wouldn’t let it go.

  Ramsey turned to leave.

  Mitch swung at him.

  Ramsey moved and punched him in the chest.

  Mitch stumbled.

  Ramsey grabbed him.

  He put his gun under Mitch’s chin.

  Silence.

  I saw Ramsey take a breath.

  He turned and walk over to me.

  “It’s whatever.” Mitch said.

  Ramsey turned and shot him in both knees.

  Charlotte screamed.

  Mitch fell to the ground in shock.

  Scott would have to do something about him now.

  Ramsey and I went to the car, got in, and left.

  He called Brian on our way to Santa Monica.

  “The woman in the bank…. .”

  I didn’t hear the rest. The clerk died while she was at work. She had an honest job. There wasn’t an amount of money that could ease her family’s pain. The guilt felt heavy on me. This wasn’t about Milo or the stupid stuff Billy did. It wasn’t about Ramsey’s lifestyle. This was about all of us. We were criminals. We made a choice to break the law and live this way. I thought about what Miles told me. The past would come and when it did, I could fess up or give the devil his due.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  RAMSEY

  Arizona, Bank # 9

  It was a rough week.

  I did reach out to Conrad.

  He knows it was out of respect.

  I don’t owe him an apology.

  I’ve stolen more for him than what was taken.

  I inspected the jewels from the Wyoming job.

  I know the original owners.

  They were powerful men and women from around the globe. Conrad had respect from them. He maintained the power that I took for him. I’m not the best. I’m the man you hire to take from the best. He didn’t sound upset to hear about Scott and Charlotte. He wanted to know where Scott put the contents from his deposit boxes. I told him I wouldn’t make nice with Charlotte to find out. Conrad is in the center of the investigation. The F.B.I knew it was his safety deposit boxes that were hit. He wouldn’t be able to take care of Charlotte and Scott. He wanted me to contain them and control the situation. I thought about. If Scott gave the jewels and legal documents to the right people, they would come and help Scott take care of Conrad.

  I glanced at Sage.

  She was quiet.

  It’s been a rough week for her.

  The bank clerk’s death sparked a deep hurt for her. I’ll have someone look after the woman’s family. It wasn’t enough but it’s all I could give. Sal and Brian would be around. They would help Sage if this went sideways. Scott and Charlotte were at the checkpoint early with an unfamiliar face. I shut it down quick. Adam would take Mitch’s place. I told Scott he was responsible for Charlotte. She tried to smack me. I grabbed her wrist.

  Sage got out the car and came over to us.

  I turned Charlotte loose and pulled Sage to me.

  I held her. I spoke to her in my language.

  I wanted her to fall into her calm.

  Sage sighed. “Can I hurt her?”

  “No.” I gave her a gentle kiss.

  “I’m angry.” Sage glanced at Charlotte.

  “Sweetheart.”

  She gazed up at me.

  “I need you.” I kissed her.

  “Go on and get ready.” I smacked her butt.

  Sage went back to the car.

  Scott asked if we were speaking Egyptian.

  Charlotte told him yeah, it’s Arabic.

  She didn’t bother to learn it.

  Hell, I never wanted to teach her.

  I told Scott I spoke to his dad.

  Conrad was pissed.

  Scott reached for his gun.

  I punched him in the mouth.

  Adam watched Scott’s friend.

  Charlotte was hysterical.

  I glanced at Sage.

  She was in her calm.

  I turned my attention back to Scott.

  I told him he wanted to be the man.

  This was his chance.

  Conrad wouldn’t let his betrayal go unpunished.

  He could cut and run with the millions he had or he could finish out and take his father’s empire. I ignored Charlotte and told Scott to make a decision.

  Scott said the last two banks were most important.

  Adam asked why save them for last.

  I waited for Scott to answer. He didn’t.

  I told Adam the safety deposit boxes held documents for off shore accounts, bonds, and other shit Scott can use. Some of the information would be dangerous in the wrong hands. In the right hands well, Conrad built his legacy around it. Conrad told me the last bank was where he kept his private vault. It had millions in unmarked cash. It was his emergency fund. He would need it if the F.B.I froze his accounts. Adam shook his head. I knew where he was with it. Scott asked me for the jewels. I told him it was insurance. If Conrad came for me, it would be heavy and things would get bad. He would come after Scott. I saw t
he fear on his face. Scott said he wanted to finish it out. I told him I would do the banks but he wouldn’t get the jewels.

  He agreed.

  Charlotte complained.

  Scott checked the shit out of her.

  It was about time.

  I walked over to Sage.

  She leaned against the car.

  Her hair was in a ponytail.

  She had a black bandana tied around her neck.

  Her tinted glasses caught the sunlight.

  I smiled at her little custom leather gloves.

  I stood in front of her.

  “I need you.” I gazed at her.

  “I’m here.” She said. “I’m ready.”

  I put on my gloves.

  She gave me my gun.

  I pull the bandana out of my pocket.

  We got in the truck and rode in silence.

  Adam would secure the lobby.

  This was a big bank.

  We won’t be able to clear the people from the offices.

  We expected the call to be made.

  Scott and Charlotte would pull.

  Sage would work the locks with me.

  I would set the tone for her like always.

  I felt her relax next to me.

  When the truck came to a stop.

  It went like clockwork.

  We were in sync.

  Our entrance into the bank was swift.

  I left Adam in the lobby to get it done.

  I ran straight for the private vault rooms.

  Sage was with me.

  Scott had the bank manager.

  Charlotte was behind.

  She was still dead weight.

  We made it through the security panel.

  I ripped through the key codes and we were in.

  “The call came!” Adam was on the ear piece.

  Charlotte and Scott pulled the first two boxes.

  They put them on the table.

  Sage and I worked the locks.

  We popped them and moved onto the next.

  Scott and Charlotte pulled boxes.

  I checked my watch.

  We were at a minute and ten seconds.

  We had ten boxes left.

  “Move faster!”

  I wasn’t talking to Sage.

  She knew what to do.

  A minute later all the boxes was open.

  Scott and Charlotte emptied the boxes.

  “Time!” Sage yelled it out and sprinted past me.