Chapter 10
JACKSON
Sage fell asleep a few hours ago after a hot shower and a bowl of soup. I’ve been sitting in a chair next to the bed, unable to take my eyes off the subtle rise and fall of her chest.
Earlier today, I texted Sage and didn’t hear back from her. After calling her a few times, I knew something was wrong. I rushed home, immediately sensing that Sage was gone. My home felt cold and empty without her presence, just like I know it always will when she’s not here.
When I discovered all of her clothes and toiletries were missing, it didn’t take long for me to figure out what happened.
She must’ve somehow discovered that I’m not who I said I was.
It took me all of two minutes to drive to her place, and when I got there, I nearly had a heart attack.
Her apartment had been broken into and ransacked, and I instinctively knew she had been kidnapped.
I had a few leads about Sage’s father from my contacts, but they weren’t getting back to me fast enough.
I’d already figured out he stole something from a biker gang not too far away from here.
They call themselves Sons of Destruction, and that’s exactly what they’re doing: destroying this community.
Luckily, I know a few bikers myself. Several members of Wicked Riders MC are veterans, and I see them around the local VA and support groups.
While not the most above-board way of doing things, I was desperate.
The Wicked Riders are fiercely loyal and protective, and I knew they were already on a mission to eradicate the Sons of Destruction.
The President, Reaper, was all too happy to respond to my call for help.
His men made quick work of finding out where Sage was, and insisted on backing me up even though I was ready to walk in there by myself with guns blazing.
Speaking of…
My phone rings, and I see Reaper's name flash across the screen. I slip outside into the hallway before answering so as not to disturb Sage’s rest.
“Reaper,” I greet, getting right down to business.
“Jackson, how’s your girl?”
The President of Wicked Riders may think he’s a bastard beyond saving, but I’ve seen enough of his true nature to know he’s a good man. He just needs someone to make him believe it.
“Better now. She’s resting. Any updates?” I ask.
“We eliminated the old man, and sent the younger one back bloody and broken, with a message to his brothers: back off, shut it down, or this is what’s going to happen to all of you.”
“Good. Do you think that’ll be enough?”
“Probably not,” Reaper sighs heavily. “But that’s not for you to worry about.
You have Sage to take care of now; leave the rest to us.
Besides, you did the MC a big favor by connecting the dots of who’s operating the auction house.
” Reaper tells me he got the information from an old friend in Chicago who told him to look out for human trafficking rings in Colorado.
After a few minutes, Reaper and I hang up.
I receive a text from him a second later with an address, a phone number, and the name Ronnie Makenzie.
He doesn’t have to tell me what it is or what to do with that information.
Sage doesn’t need to know the gritty details of how I’ll take down her father and make sure he’s sent to prison for life.
As long as she’s safe and happy, that’s all that matters.
I make my way back to the bedroom to check on Sage, surprised to see her awake and sitting up. She smiles shyly at me, then pats the spot next to her on the bed. I nearly jump in next to her like an excited dog. She wants to sit next to me. That has to be a good sign, right?
“How are you feeling?” I ask while checking her face and arms for more bruises. Each one pains me to see.
“Better than I thought I’d be,” she answers truthfully.
Her green eyes meet mine for a brief second before focusing on the comforter.
“I didn’t really get hurt that much, I’m more just…
in shock. All of it was… is… It’s just a lot to take in.
My dad, my apartment, the kidnapping… I freaking shot someone! Did they die?!”
My precious girl looks up at me, her eyes wide with panic.
I tuck her hair behind her ear, a familiar, grounding gesture for both of us.
Sage leans into my touch, nuzzling into my hand as I cradle her face.
God, I missed her. I was so goddamn worried, but I haven’t allowed myself to feel any of it yet.
“No, you didn’t kill anyone. You got him good in the shoulder, but he’ll live. Unless I wake up tomorrow and feel like ending him for laying hands on you.”
Sage curls her smaller hand around my larger one, infusing me with her quiet strength. “You came for me,” she says softly.
“Always,” I vow. “I owe you some answers, baby girl. Will you let me explain myself? You must have been so scared when you found out I wasn’t your real bodyguard.”
She winces and nods her head. “My dad called. I thanked him for sending me a bodyguard, but he said he didn’t. I didn’t know what to think or who to trust; I just had to get out. My apartment was already broken into when I got there, and then… well, you know the rest.”
“I was walking home from Ridgeway base last week when I heard your cry for help,” I start.
“I would have ventured into the alleyway regardless of who it was, but when I caught a glimpse of you… I knew life would never be the same. As crazy as it sounds, I think I fell in love with you right then and there. You were so scared when I got to you. Remember flinching away from me? It ripped my goddamn heart in two. But when you thought I was your bodyguard, I saw the tension give way to trust.”
I look down at Sage, who has scooted closer to me. I open my arm and let her snuggle into my chest. Fuck, it feels good having her here. She fits so perfectly in my arms.
“I shouldn’t have lied,” I continue. “I knew it was going to complicate things, but I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else harming you.
I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let anyone else do my job of protecting you, so I…
I let you believe I was your bodyguard. Everything between us was real. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but–”
Sage stops my rambling apology by placing her hand over my mouth. I must look completely gobsmacked, because Sage is holding back a laugh.
“I believe you,” she says, whispering the sweetest words I’ve ever heard. “While I don’t condone lying, I understand why you did what you did. You’re right, I probably would have run away from you that night if I knew you weren’t my bodyguard.”
She drops her hand and leans closer, resting her forehead on mine. I close my eyes and breathe in her strawberry scent. God, I missed it, and it’s only been a few hours.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“The last thing I thought about before potentially dying was that I never got a chance to tell you I love you.”
My eyes snap open, and I stare at her with uncertainty. “Are you saying…?”
“I love you, Jackson Bennett. We had an unconventional start, but I think it just made us stronger. You make me feel so seen and understood. I’ve never had the kind of care and attention you give me.
Once I remembered all of the sweet, wonderful things you’ve said and done for me, I knew I made a mistake by leaving you. ”
“Say it again,” I demand.
“I made a mistake by leaving you?”
I smile and tip her head up. “No, the other part. About loving me,” I say with a wink.
“I love you, I love you, I love you,” she says over and over, placing kisses on my cheeks and forehead.
“I love you so much, baby girl. God, I thought you were gone forever…”
“I’m right here. And you’re right here,” she tells me, placing her hands on my cheeks. Sage stares into my eyes with all the love in the world. “I know exactly how I want to celebrate this special moment,” Sage says with a devious smile. God, how did I get so lucky?
“Oh, yeah? And how’s that, my sweet, filthy girl?”
I pull back the covers, knowing Sage is still naked from her shower. I only have boxers on, a fact I’m painfully aware of. My cock is begging to be freed, but first things first.
Brushing my lips against hers, I get caught up in her kisses, each one more passionate and desperate than the last. When I pull back, Sage pouts and follows me as if we’re connected by magnets. I simply grin and spread her out on the mattress, ready to devour my little snack.
Sage’s eyes shine with lust, giving me all the permission I need.
I kiss her neck, collarbone, one nipple, and then the other, before trailing my lips down her torso.
Nuzzling into her pussy, I breathe in deep, loving the sugary-sweet smell of her arousal.
I smooth my hands up and down her thighs before prying them apart and settling between them.
Sage’s eyes are still closed, but her hips wiggle a bit and a blush spreads from her cheeks all the way down to the tops of her perfect tits. She’s wet and needy and ready for me to show her I’m worthy of her love.
I spread her pussy lips apart with my thumbs and growl at the sight of her swollen pink folds.
Sage hums in approval, reaching down to comb her fingers through my hair.
Jesus, this pretty little cunt is begging for attention.
I blow warm air over her sensitive skin and nearly come when her tight little hole pulses, releasing a drop of her cream.
That’s my breaking point.
I lap up her sweetness, dragging my tongue through her slit and circling around her throbbing bundle of nerves.
Sage tenses and bows her back off the mattress, moaning loudly.
I look up from between her legs and lock eyes with her before pressing her back down with a hand spread out over her stomach.