Chapter Ten
Alexander dropped Chase at his home, got him settled and returned to Sage’s place in the best mood ever. His closest friend was fine, and now, if all went to plan, he could celebrate all night with his woman.
He parked in the driveway and entered through the front door, eager to rejoin her in bed. “Sage?” He strode into the bedroom, the covers thrown aside, the place pin-drop quiet. No fucking sign of her.
Maybe in the en suite? “Sage! Where are you, babe?” He searched the whole house, stomping from room to room and…
Empty.
She’d gone.
Fucking gone. He shoved both his hands in his hair and tried to breathe. Tried to get the required oxygen levels into his lungs.
Why?
Where?
She’d promised to stay put. What had made her change her mind? Had to be something significant if she’d left of her own volition. Unless she’d been kidnapped?
Fuck.
He breathed out hard and tried to hold himself together, which was difficult as all fuck when images of his past kept barraging his brain—negative, life-ending images that still haunted him. He’d just reconnected with her, reconciled. No way could he lose her now. No fucking way.
Garage. Was her car there? He rushed to check.
Nope. Wherever she’d gone, she’d taken her car, or someone had taken her in it.
Tracker.
Yes.
He could find out where she’d headed, where she was assuming the devices hadn’t been intercepted. The likelihood remained small unless the person behind the threats had a special military or police background. The perp had to know how to do a thorough sweep. Some of her clients may understand what to look for. He had everything crossed the dude didn’t.
Alexander whipped his phone out and shit. She’d called and left a message. He’d put his mobile on silent in the hospital and got distracted getting her brother sorted. He had a listen and fuck. Fuck!
Logging into his tracker app, he quickly determined her car had been ditched by her work, but her bra tracker took her into the outer north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The spot had remained static for several minutes, making his blood pressure shoot through the roof.
He jumped into his car and sped, following the trail, hoping he wasn’t too late. His pulse pounded, and he broke out into a sweat. It was the longest, most nerve-wracking drive of his life.
Alexander parked in the street, out front of a charming, picturesque property. The whole thing looked wrong, incongruent, kind of like a clown. That fake, painted-on smile seeming to hide inner darkness…evil. He fucking hated clowns.
He crept along the dirt driveway, distant voices drifting to him. Next to the kidnapper’s silver car, he grabbed some discarded handcuffs, ready to restrain the prick. Using his commando skills, he charged forward, in the quietest way possible, following the track into a large backyard.
His beautiful Sage stood under an enormous tree, her hands behind her back, a stepladder in front of her and Mallory standing at her side.
Mallory, not Miles.
Fuck me. She’d set the guy up.
As he got closer, a noose came into view.
Holy fuck.
The woman grabbed the knotted loop and went to place it over Sage’s head. He ran toward them. “Sage!”
Mallory dropped the rope, and she and his girl both glanced at him with equal and opposite reactions. Sage looked ecstatic, thankful, while the other woman appeared beyond distraught, beyond pissed off.
Sage wasted no time, kicking out and knocking her tormentor down, then made a run for it, diving straight into his arms. He’d never felt so relieved.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
They jerked their heads up, and Mallory approached with a shotgun drawn, her hand shaking. Not a good sign. Far from a good sign. A fucking lethal sign.
“Put the gun down,” Alexander said in his calmest, hostage-negotiator voice.
“You spoiled my plans.” She kept coming closer, still pointing that fucking hunting rifle.
“It doesn’t have to end this way. I can get you some help. You haven’t hurt anyone. You have options.” His girl had used the perfect bargaining tactic. Fuck, he loved her.
“You killed someone and got away with it.” Mallory’s acerbic tone was tinged with cutting pain.
“As awful and confronting as it is to comprehend, your husband hurt himself.”
Mallory moved nearer, waving the weapon at them, her finger on the trigger. “You’d determined he had chronic depression. Why didn’t you stop him? His death ruined my life.”
The on-edge woman shook her head and kept the gun pointed in their direction. “Donovan dying… It shouldn’t have happened. That horrible image haunts me day and night. It’s etched into my brain. Then knowing he didn’t want to live, not even for me!”
Her glare slammed onto them, and she stopped a meter away. “And because the coroner ‘confirmed’ he’d killed himself, his life insurance became null and void, and they wouldn’t pay out a cent. Not one cent. See what you’ve done?” She aimed the firearm right at Sage’s heart.
He had to do something and fast. Distract, in order to disarm the unstable woman. “Is that sirens?” Alexander stared over her shoulder, toward the front of the farmhouse.
Mallory whirled around to follow his gaze.
Before he could move, Sage kicked the gun out of the woman’s hand, and it fired. Mallory stumbled and cried out, and he took the off-guard opportunity to tackle her to the ground. He darted his gaze to his girl. She remained upright. No visible signs of blood. She looked fine. Unhurt…physically. Fucking impressive move.
Sage toed the gun out of reach.
His eyes zeroed in on his woman’s. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Okay as I can be.”
Sage looked exhausted and, going by his deployment experience, once the adrenaline pumping into her system dissipated, she’d crash. And he’d be there for her, like he intended to be, eternally.
Except he wasn’t exempt, either. He expected to come down pretty hard, pretty soon. Not yet. Not while still in soldier mode. First he needed to ensure Mallory got taken into custody. Second, he needed Sage safe in his arms.
Mallory screamed and attempted to fight, thrashing and bucking. Alexander gripped her wrists, immobilizing any retaliation, any scratching attempts, and levered her into standing.
He led her to the house and cuffed her to a porch pole by the back door.
Mallory continued to try to break free but…not happening. He stepped away from her, perspiration pouring down his chest and back, pulled his mobile out of his pocket and called the cops, giving them a general overview and the coordinates of where to find them. Now that the threat had gotten sorted and he’d organized the practical stuff, he could revert to civilian mode.
He spun toward Sage, who hovered nearby. She looked wrecked but so fucking beautiful. No matter what Mallory thought, Sage had never been her nemesis—quite the opposite.
In the end, Donovan killing himself had ended two lives, his as well as his wife’s. Not literally, however, his actions definitely had a flow-on effect. She’d most likely be jailed for a long time. If not quantity, she’d at least lose her quality of life.
The main thing was he and Sage were safe, alive. The crisis averted because of their teamwork.
He stared at his exquisite woman. “Turn around.”
She did as he asked.
Alexander retrieved the handcuff key from Mallory’s pants pocket and undid Sage’s shackles, the metal clanging onto the concrete. She brought her hands in front of her and rubbed her red-raw wrists. He took over, trying to soothe her, trying to abolish any memories, any remnants from the past few traumatic hours, days, weeks.
Sirens sounded in the distance, the wailing growing louder as the cops, and possibly ambulance, approached. Elated didn’t even come close to portraying how he felt, more like lucky, grateful, optimistic. Although the circumstances were extreme, stressful, life-threatening—the absolute opposite of romantic—he’d never believed more in the possibility of a happily-ever-after.
The rest of the night happened in a clichéd blur. The police arrived, bombarded them with questions and hauled Mallory off. He’d hardly had a chance to speak to Sage, check in with how she’d been coping.
Relief quickly turned to ‘what ifs’ that could drive a person crazy. He’d been there, more than done that. And he’d do everything he could to talk Sage through it and prevent her descending down that unhelpful rabbit-hole of emotional negativity.
Thankfully, she had regular psychologist supervision, someone professional to speak to, someone external to what had happened to problem solve through it, put the whole thing in some sort of meaningful, palatable perspective.
Alexander negotiated to take her home now, promising they’d return to the police station in the morning to answer any more questions and give a formal statement.
Sage sat silent for the whole drive, and he respected that. He knew all about the importance of having time to process outcomes. He’d give her all the space she needed…within reason, because avoiding wouldn’t help address any lingering issues either. It came down to balance.
Before he’d clicked her seatbelt into place and they’d left, Sage agreed to collect her car the next day. Neither of them had the energy nor motivation to do it tonight. The fight-and-flight chemicals had worn off, leaving them both thoroughly fatigued.
Shattered.
They needed to get home and rest, twined together in bed. They needed some chill time to relax and rejuvenate.
Refresh. Recuperate.
Home. No longer purely a place to reside. Wherever Sage was had become his new definition. Being with her reinforced that home was a feeling, a safe haven, a sense of peace that a physical structure alone couldn’t provide.
He parked in her garage and turned to her. She stared out of her window as though focused inwardly, unaware of her surroundings, probably replaying everything in her mind, which could fuck with a person, make them fixate on something out of their control.
Alexander ran his palm gently over her closest arm, and she twisted to face him. He could practically see her pulse thumping in her neck like she’d been jolted awake from a deep sleep. “Let’s go inside.”
She frowned and nodded, like she’d just realized where they were. He sprang out of the car and hurried to the passenger side, ready to assist if she’d zoned out. Chances were her body would be weak, unsteady, in shock. He needed to get her showered, clean off all the grime of the day and into bed…with him.
He’d emphasize he’d protect her, keep her safe and secure, help her heal—shower her with his undying, irrefutable love.
She took his hand, and, the second they stepped into the front foyer, he whisked her into his arms. He expected a protest, but she clutched onto him like a koala gripping tight to a windblown eucalyptus tree.
He climbed the stairs and set her down in her en suite, holding her in a loose embrace. She needed to know he’d always be available when she required him.
Sage’s glorious golden eyes met his. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. You’re mine, understand that? I’m never letting you go.” Emotionally, metaphorically, they’d remain tethered. He’d make sure of it.
She hugged him with an unyielding ferocity, their bodies flush, no space between them.
Physically, he couldn’t always keep her close, even if he wanted to. It wasn’t feasible. But, thank fuck, he’d have her soft, sweet, sexy body to look forward to every day, every night.
Now he had to focus on pragmatic considerations. Get Sage nice and clean, for her to then get down and dirty with him in the best possible way, whenever she felt ready.
Sex helped some people escape, cope temporarily, but it lacked the robust guts of intimacy. Others seemed to retreat into themselves, needing time to think and process at their own pace. Responses, reactions were so individual, as unique as each person on the planet.
Learnings over a lifetime, plus nature and nurture concocted the exclusive mix. He got that, and he imagined she did, too, given her history as a psychologist specializing in trauma. Or she would, once she’d transitioned out of shock.
They stood cradling each other, their chemistry, their energy, potent as all fuck. Undeniable.
He broke away enough to press a tender kiss to her forehead. “Let’s wash off the grubbiness of the day and go to bed.”
Her smile slayed him with its loving, I-fully-give-myself-to-you, I’m-all-yours intensity.
They showered in caring, affectionate silence, and when they were done, they dried off and curled up in bed, falling asleep within seconds of tangling their limbs together.
* * * *
Chase’s ringtone roused Alexander from sleep. With bleary eyes, he patted the bedside table and grabbed his phone.
Eight a.m.
Fuck.
He and Sage had gotten to bed less than five hours ago. Alexander wanted to let it go to voicemail, but his conscience wouldn’t allow it. He had to make sure his best mate was okay. “Hey, you all right?” he said, his voice low and hoarse.
“So far so good. I’m gonna be a bit black and blue from the crash but, otherwise, I’ll make a full recovery. You sound like shit.”
“It’s been a tough night.”
“Is Sage okay?”
“Yeah.” Mostly.
“Are you?”
“Getting there. And you’re calling because…?”
“I wanted to see if you and my sis had hooked up.” Alexander could hear the proud, I-got-ya-dude smirk in his voice.
“Right.”
“So, you two are together, huh?”
Alexander swallowed. Here goes… “Yeah.”
“About fucking time.”
“What?”
“You’ve had the hots for each other as long as I can remember. You think I didn’t notice? No one could miss the attraction…except you two. It was almost comical. Neither of you could push past your bullshit to see the potential.”
“So, what are you saying?
“I support your relationship, always have. I’m not one of those overprotective big brothers. I want what’s best for my sister, and you’re it. I can’t imagine any other man suiting her better, any other man I’d trust as much as you.”
Relief washed over him like cool, refreshing summer rain. “Thanks. I didn’t realize I needed to hear it, but having your blessing makes everything even better.”
“So, when’s the wedding?”
Alexander chuckled. “Fuck, give me some time! I need to find a ring first.”
“No, you don’t. She loves you. All she wants is the promise of forever.”
One thing he definitely could do. He wouldn’t propose anything less.
Sage stirred, turning to snuggle into him, placing her hand on his heart.
Alexander tenderly held his woman to him, careful not to prematurely rouse her from a much-needed rest. “We need to let you know some stuff. If you’re free, we’ll visit this afternoon.”
“Everything all right?”
“It will be.”
“O…kay.” Chase’s voice sounded tentative, wary, concerned.
“Don’t stress. We’re fine. We’ll explain later.”
Alexander hung up and his phone rang again. For fuck’s sake.
“Yeah?
“Alexander Barrett, we need you to come down to the police station to complete your statement.” The arresting officer from last night. Did these guys ever sleep? Probably not much when in the midst of a case. He knew all about that. The requirements of the job.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
“We’re trying to get in touch with Sage Cassidy. Do you know how to reach her?”
“I’ll bring her with me.”
“Great. See you soon.”
“Who was that?” Sage trailed her hand over his chest, tracing the lines of his tattoo, her voice barely a whisper, still half asleep.
He ran his palm over her back in soothing, just-chill strokes. “Don’t worry.”
She searched his eyes. “I am worried.”
“No need. When we’re ready, we need to get to the police station to give our official statements. And Chase called, too, and he’s fine.”
Alexander could feel the relieved breath leaving her body. “Thank goodness.”
“He supports us as well.”
“What? Did you tell him?”
“He worked it out.”
“Oh. Makes things a lot easier.” A massive smile kicked up the corners of her lips. The Sage spell. She’d cast it on him as soon as she’d turned sweet sixteen and, over the years, it had grown more and more powerful.
“Agreed.” He cradled her to him. “Not that he had a say.”
They kissed, quickly got ready and made it to the precinct in forty-five minutes. The arresting officer joined them and took their individual recounting of events.
Sage tightly clasped Alexander’s hand beneath the table, as though to absorb some extra courage. “So, um, do you know if Mallory drove anywhere near the airport the night she kidnapped me?”
The investigator glanced up from his notes and focused his full attention on her. “You’re referring to your brother’s hit-and-run car accident.”
“Yes. It’s just, I mean, it was the perfect way to separate me and Alexander.”
The guy tapped his pen on the table. “Interesting… We’ve been looking into that angle as well. Mallory had started working for a security company soon after her husband passed, so had easy access to monitoring and surveillance equipment.”
The police officer shifted the paperwork to the side and propped his forearms on the table. “From all the evidence we’ve gathered, we believe she broke into your home and bugged the living area, allowing her to keep track of most of your movements and that of those close to you.”
As in him and Chase. Alexander exhaled hard. Fuck. What a fuck up. How had he not thought to check? Why hadn’t he instigated a sweep of Sage’s house? When he’d worked in the field, he’d have been right on it.
Fucking PTSD, screwing with his head. A floundering fish trying to fit into the flow of civilian life. And being enamored with Sage didn’t help, either. Living with the captivating woman had his mind frequently diverting below his belt.
The spyware entirely explained how Mallory had predominantly stayed ahead of them, while devising believable, seemingly faultless excuses.
The policeman flicked his gaze to Alexander, then back to Sage. “Footage we’ve received places Mallory’s car at the scene of the accident, and her phone data usage confirms her trip across town to your office then to her country property.”
“And her texts and emails and messages?” Sage firmly clamped her fingers onto the back of Alexander’s hand.
A frown furrowed the inspector’s face. “We haven’t been able to connect those back to her…yet. She may have set up software to prevent IP address location, and used and discarded an additional burner phone.”
Alexander leaned in, peering into the officer’s eyes. “But you’ve got enough to get her. She’ll go down for this. Yeah?”
“We hope. But she still needs to go to trial, and you’ll both have to testify.”
No fucking problem—anything they could do to prevent themselves and others from harm. Sometimes the ambiguity with the law really grinded his gears. “Let us know when and where, and we’ll be there.” Alexander glanced at Sage. “Come on, baby. Let’s go home.”