SAGE (12 page)

She liked the cozy feel of a cabin or cottage.

I would want whatever made her most comfortable. 

I heard noise outside.

I opened the front door.

There was a small crowd

What the fuck is this. 

Adam was on the porch. 

“The new guys thought Sage was entertainment.” 

I laughed.  “How long has she been at it?” 

“Awhile.”  He chuckled. “I heard one praying and another crying for his mama.”

I left the porch and walked over to the small crowd.

I saw men on the ground and there was another on his knees. Sage had his arm twisted up. Her palm was on his shoulder blade. She pulled and pressed.

“C’mon make her stop.”  Billy whispered to me. 

He had his arm around a brunette.

Scott kept him balls deep in pussy.

It didn’t take much for Billy to be distracted.

The man cried out for mercy.

Poor bastard.  I hopped the fence.

I better stop this before she broke his arm.

“Hey Darlin, you alright?”

Sage glanced at me.

“I’m just fine.”

She applied pressure to the man’s shoulder.

“Are you bout done?” I asked her.

“Yes.”  She kicked the man in his back.

He fell on his face.

“Come to me.” I smiled.

“Tell me what they did to you.”

Sage blushed and walked over to me.

“They called me sexy and…” 

“You are sexy.” I winked at her.

She blushed more. “I didn’t…” 

“They deserved it.”  I took her hand. 

“C’mon.” I helped her over the fence.

“I don’t want you to be tired.”

I hopped over the fence and took her hand.

“Did you talk to Scott?”  She asked.

“Nah, Mitch is doing whatever girly stuff he does.” 

Billy and the brunette came over to us.

“Why did you embarrass me in front of them?”

The words came out of Billy’s mouth wrong.

I shook my head.  It’s downhill from here.

“You’re an embarrassment to me.”   Sage told him. 

“What, c’mon sis this…” 

“This is your fault Billy.” Sage told him. “Isn’t it?”

He was quiet. 

“Yeah, don’t take responsibility.”  She said.

“We’ll do it while you fall into more pussy.”

“Hey!” The brunette huffed. “Leave us alone!”

“I’ll hurt you.” Sage warned her. 

“Why don’t you sashay your hot tail over there” 

Sage motioned to the men.

“Billy is broke so all you’ll get is a wet ass.”

The brunette looked at Billy.

“Are you gonna let her talk to me like that?”

He stared at the ground.

She stomped over to the men by the gate.

“Milo is dead.” I told Billy.

“What?!” He glanced at me.

“This is a joke right?”  He asked Sage.

She crossed her arms.

“Ramsey, c’mon tell me.”  He pleaded.

“Milo is okay…” His eyes watered.  “Right?” 

“Brian found him at his place two weeks ago.”

“No.” Billy put his hands on his head.  

“Scott killed your best friend. I want you to think about Milo when you’re having fun tonight. You thought I would get you out of it. Well I’m in the shit with you and there’s no out.” Sage walked away.

“I’m sorry!” Billy cried.

She didn’t turn around.

“Can you talk to her?” He asked me.

“Billy this isn’t like the time you borrowed 500 dollars and didn’t pay her back.  It’s not about the money she gave you for rent that you spent on liquor and women. Scott used her. She’s disappointed in herself because she believed in you.”

I left Billy and went inside to see about Sage.

I found her in the kitchen. 

She had a bottle of water.

“I’m alright.” She took a sip.

“Billy is lazy and fucking selfish.”  She sighed.

I shouldn’t have given up everything for him.”

“He’s your brother.” I put my arms around her.

“He’s an asshole.”

She rested her head on my chest. 

“I messed up.”  Her voice shook.

“No, you didn’t.” I kissed her forehead. 

Adam came in the kitchen.

Sage went to grab her stuff.

It was time to go to work. 

Scott pulled up as we came out the house. 

He didn’t say anything to Adam since last week.   

I think he realized it was best if he shut the fuck up.

We took the truck.

Adam kept the time.

I put on my mask got into my zone. 

Sage adjusted hers and sighed.

Adam pulled to a stop on the side of the bank.

We jumped out the truck and cut the corner. 

I was in.  “Everybody get on the floor. Now!”

Sage ran past me and cleared the counter.

“Switch!” She yelled.

Someone hit the silent alarm.

Mitch and Scott ran for the offices.

Sage hit the drop boxes.

It would be all her.  

The security guard was nervous. 

I glanced at the gun on his side.

“Don’t reach for it.” I told him.

“This money is fully insured and not worth your life.” 

He thought about what I said. 

“You’ll make it home.” I told him. 

I kept my eyes on his.

I put my wrist level with his face.

I glanced at the time.

“80 seconds!” 

Sage should be on the last box. 

I scanned the bank lobby. 

The clerks had their hands up.

Their attention was on Sage.

They watched her work.

I know it was the way she moved.

I watched the guard.

I saw movement out the corner of my eye.

Sage was up.

“140 seconds!”  I yelled.

Sage ran through the cash drawers.

She jumped the counter. Mitch and Scott rushed out into the lobby. We hit 180 and it was time to go. Sage ran past them and met me at the door. We hit the corner. The sirens sounded close. We got in the truck. Mitch and Scott jumped in. Adam hit the gas hard and the truck peeled away from the curb

I heard the noise from the scanner.

“They’re coming from two directions.” 

Adam turned the corner, made a quick left, and then stopped at the light. The squad guards sped past us. The light turned green and Adam made a right at the next street. We drove in silence. We had to let him get it done. He pulled into the check point on time.

Sage and I were out and headed for the car. 

“Scott didn’t ask for the money.”

“His boss didn’t want it.” I told her.

“I saw papers and a ledger in Mitch’s bag.” 

“Who are they stealing from?” She asked.

We got in the car.

“I don’t know darlin but I’ll find out.”

I started the car and drove off.

She started the process with the money.

There were no more questions.

She trusted me to keep her safe. 

I always did. 

We drove in silence. 

She settled in and it was the time after, like always.

She fell asleep and I thought about us.

I drove with thoughts of the future. 

She woke up at the right time. 

She saw the sign for Oklahoma. “Ramsey…” 

“I’m taking you to the people who love you.” 

Sage ducked under and hugged me. She cried silent tears of happiness. She could tolerate a lot of physical pain but felt emotion on another level. She was rare and so damn beautiful.

I heard her sigh.

She didn’t have to say it. 

I knew this is what she needed.

I wanted her to have it.

It was us, together from here on out.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SAGE

Indiana- Bank # 4

Ramsey. I couldn’t have made it this far without him. I have a quick hand and short temper. I would have done this however and let the consequences be what they were. I didn’t think on level sometimes. Ramsey said my temper was fine. I didn’t like it when people fucked with me. He had a point. I don’t look for trouble but I don’t run from it. I wanted a normal life and to settle in somewhere. It did feel good to spend time in Oklahoma. Greg was at the diner when we got there. He hadn’t seen me in almost two years. He picked me up and twirled me around. He told me how much he missed me and begged me to come to New Orleans. I laughed. He and Brian were the only guys Ramsey ever let touch me. They were like brothers. I tried to explain everything to Miles. He held me and kissed my forehead. He was glad I was still in one piece. Miss Sue’s car sped into the parking lot. She rushed inside to curse me out. She cried and hugged me. We laughed. Miss Sue didn’t like my goodbye letter. The cottage was still mine. I should use it whenever we came to visit. She stared at Ramsey and told him the both of us better visit.  We laughed again. The girls said the diner was packed 24/7. It seemed like every available woman in the state was there.

Shawna said men were eye candy too. I noticed her and Greg. I think they’ll be a cute couple. Mallory and Cindy told me about gun practice. Miles was terrified. I laughed. Sheriff Wilson took me aside. He said men in expensive suits were in town. He saw them across the road at the truck stop a few times. The cars had Nevada plates and Anna from the lodge said they’ve been renting rooms with her for the past month. It was women, liquor, not much else. I think Sherriff Wilson liked the excitement. The guys would help him out if he needed it. I took Ramsey to the cottage. He said it was perfect for me. We had intimate conversations and nights of passionate sex under the endless night sky with the amazing view of the
Kiamichi Mountains.

I wanted forever but was it too late?

I put the thoughts out of my mind.

It was time to work. 

Ramsey and I switched up this time.

We wouldn’t use ski masks.

They could connect the first three if the wanted.

We knew the F.B.I was on this.

They always were with federal crimes.

I hadn’t been to jail and had no plans to go.

I would stay focused.

I pulled the black baseball cap down on my head. 

My hair was in a ponytail.

I put a quick rinse in a few days ago.

The color was deep brown with red undertones.

It flamed in the sunlight.  

This was a well-lit bank with floor to ceiling windows.

We wanted them to see it. 

The black bandana was tied tight around my face.

The sunglasses were secure.

I would hit the safety deposit boxes. 

Scott would be with me.  Not thrilled.

Ramsey would take the counter and secure the lobby.

We expected the alarm to be pulled.

Adam coasted to a stop outside of the bank.

We jumped out the truck, ran up the wide stone steps, and burst through the glass doors. Ramsey shot out the cameras in the corners as he ran to the front. The clerks backed away as he vaulted the counter.

We secured the lobby.

Mitch made the guards lie down on the floor

Scott grabbed the manager.

“Move!” Ramsey yelled.

I ran to the secure area with Scott behind me. 

The manager bypassed the door.

I wasn’t surprised. 

This time it felt different.

I was about to pull the boxes.

Scott and the manager moved together.

I watched them put the boxes on the table.

Yeah, this wasn’t the plan.

I stepped aside.

They both pulled out keys.

I shook my head.

I glanced at my watch.

I would leave in under sixty seconds regardless.

They opened three boxes.

Scott asked me to move.

I ignored him.

He turned his back to empty the contents.

The bank manager put the boxes back.

There was two left.

I glanced at my watch. 

Yeah fuck it. 

They popped the next box.

“We need your help with the lock.”  Scott said.

I glanced at it. Damn it.

I pulled my kit and work the lock fast.

I couldn’t get it to flip.

They opened the other safety deposit box.

I’d try it again and then I’m gone.

I went to work

The lock flipped. 

I opened the box

Scott tried to snatch it from me.

I shoved him.

He stumbled into the bank manager.

The contents of the box shifted.

I saw what was inside.

Scott rushed to empty it.

He turned and papers flew out the box.

The manager tried to grab them

They bumped into each other. 

I saw my chance.

I lifted from the other deposit box

I tucked the item into my back pack.

Scott glanced over his shoulder.

I looked at my watch

Yep time to go.

I took off. I sprinted out of the door.

I heard the sirens.

“Here they come!” Mitch yelled.

Ramsey and I rounded the corner. 

We ran down the hall.

We took the steps to the emergency exit.

We popped the door and ran out.

We ran through the wooded area. 

Adam was on the other side.

He was in the truck with the doors open.

We got in; he pulled off, and touched his earpiece. 

“I have to go around!”

“Will you make it?” I asked him

“We’re about to find out.”

We sped to the edge of the clearing

Scott and Mitch ran to the truck.

Ramsey shook his head.

They got in quick.

Adam punched it.

We sped through the brush.

The truck barreled down a steep hill.

I slid across the seat.

Ramsey held onto the ceiling mount.

He reached over and grabbed me.

I held on tight as the truck bounced.

We hit the bottom.

The truck’s front fender scrapped the ground.

Adam leveled it out and we were gone.

We pulled up to the checkpoint ten minutes late.

“What happened?” Ramsey asked.

“We had trouble with the boxes. “ Scott said quickly.

“He and the manager are in this together.” 

I told Ramsey.  “They both had keys.” 

“Who are you stealing from?” 

Ramsey stared at Scott.

“Nobody important. I paid the bank manger.”

“He’s lying” I took it out of my pocket.

Scott rushed over to me. 

Ramsey stiff armed him. 

“I saw jewels and papers.” 

I showed him the gem.

Ramsey looked at it.

“Scott this is worth a few hundred thousand.” 

“It’s not that much...” 

“Answer the question.” Ramsey told him.