SAGE (3 page)

The tranquil beauty almost made me cry.

I got out of the truck, grabbed the overnight bag, and the suitcase full of money. It felt heavier than the normal thirty plus pounds. I struggled to carry it up the stone path but I wouldn’t do a second trip. I made it to the wooden porch, got the door open, stepped inside and then put down the bags.  The cabin was intimate and cozy. The artwork in the wooden frames matched the rustic theme. A small wood-burning cast iron stove was in a corner on a small brick platform. It filled the space with warm heat. The oversized bed was perfect for a couple in love. I noticed the spiral staircase. I glanced up at the loft. It had a desk and a sitting area. I could stay here forever! I locked the door and closed the drawstring curtain. The natural charm of the cabin made me comfortable and I was exhausted. I decided to take a bath and then go to bed. I went into the bathroom. I shook my head. How can a bathroom be this damn beautiful? I saw the huge gift basket filled with soaps, lotions, and normal sized shampoo and conditioner. I couldn’t wait to wash off the dust and grime. A few minutes later I was in the shower and the scent of chamomile and lavender filled the air with relaxing mist. I knew I wouldn’t get another chance to live the way I wanted.

Billy didn’t appreciate my sacrifice.

He didn’t know what it took to have discipline.

Billy wanted everything but tried to do less.

He wanted to shortcut his way through life.

My heart ached for the loss of my dream.

I sobbed in anguish.

I kept losing things, places, and people.

Billy didn’t have sense when it came to responsibility. He would take from me because I loved him enough to give. The weight of my honesty was too much. I slid down the shower wall and gave into the pain. I cried under the hot jets of water until I was weak. I watched the water swirl as it went down the drain. It reminded me of where I was in life. I was letting it all go and for what? I made the decision because Billy was family. He was all I had.

I stood up and washed my hair. The fragrant scent of the shampoo calmed me. I was tired. I got out of the shower and wrapped my hair in a towel. I used the body lotion, patted my skin dry, and then turned on the hair dryer. It took twenty minutes to dry my hair. I left the bathroom and walked out into the open space. The warmth from the cast iron stove was comforting.

I put on my cotton nightgown and got into bed.

My eyes fluttered closed.

I wished for a great dream.

I wanted to pretend this was home.

I felt my body drift. 

I was in the space between.

The hot tears stung my eyelids.

I cried until the pain faded and then I fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning and reached for him. 

I sat up. Ramsey wasn’t there.

I checked my phone.

No missed calls.

I put it on the charger. 

I went back to bed. 

I was half asleep when my phone chimed.

I rushed to answer it. 

They would be at the resort soon. I got out of bed, did my feminine routine, and then got dressed. My outfit was normal I think. I had on jeans, a tank top, plaid shirt, and a sweater.

It took time to tame my wild mass of hair.

I wanted to be presentable and appear civilized.

I would probably have to kill these people.

Billy would not get out of this pain free.

I plan to hurt him plenty.

I put on my boots, grabbed my phone, and then left the cabin. I decided to walk to the entrance. I figured it would kill time and help me relax. I walked along the road. The smell of pine and flowers made me feel better. I breathed in the fresh air. I saw horses in the meadow. I wanted to stand at the white picket fence but I couldn’t. I would come back when I could stay awhile. I made it down the road faster than I thought. .  I went in the Main Lodge and up to the front desk. I was given another cute little map and pointed in the right direction. I found the dining room easy enough.

I was seated in a cozy corner by the window.

I could see the main entrance.

Wait, I put down my fork.

I stared at the motorcycle.

It was parked off to the side.

I shook my head. C’mon. I knew there was more than one motorcycle like that.

I couldn’t think about Ramsey.

Not right now.

I took out my phone.

I checked the time.

I finished eating but the rich flavors couldn’t distract me from the motorcycle outside.

I dialed the number I knew by heart. 

I bit my lip and waited for him to answer.

“Yeah.” His voice was sexy and low.

I didn’t want to admit how much I missed him.

I couldn’t tell him I needed him.

“Talk to me.” His demand was calm.

“I’m in trouble.” The words tumbled out of my mouth.

I hung up. Fuck.  I didn’t need him to come save me. I glanced out the window disappointed in myself. It was because of that motorcycle. I should go out there and kick it over. Well push it over. It was too heavy for anything else. I might hurt myself. Fuck!

My phone chimed. 

I wanted it to be Ramsey.

I glanced at it. Billy’s number.

Now I really wanted to kill them and hurt my brother bad. I answered. They said they were about to turn onto the private road.

I finished up in the dining room and then went outside.

I saw the trucks drive in the entrance.

They pulled into empty parking spaces.

This was an expensive resort.

Nothing should happen here.

Well they could try me if they wanted.

A man got out of the truck closest to me.

He opened the back door.

I saw Billy inside. He tried to clean himself up but I could tell he got his ass beat. The man closed the door and I knew this was classic ransom shit. Did they expect me to drag a suitcase filled with money around in broad daylight? The back door of the second truck opened and a man got out. He walked to me. This guy had the kind of handsome that seemed arrogant.

I wanted to punch him in the face.

He smiled and I imagined my hands around his throat.

I smiled. I would choke the life out of him. 

I saw it in his eyes.

He knew what I was thinking.

“I might like it.” He winked at me. 

“I’m sure you would.”  I told him.

“Scott.” He smiled. 

I ignored his greeting.

“The money is in my cabin.”

I took the keys out of my pocket.

I gave them to Scott.

He tossed the keys to one of his guys.

He motioned to the guy waiting by the other truck.

He opened the door and Billy got out. 

“I’ll keep the money as insurance.”  Scott said. 

“You’ll keep the money regardless.”  I shrugged.

Billy came over to us.

He didn’t look at me.

I waited until he glanced at me.

“Shut the fuck up Billy.” 

Scott laughed. “He didn’t say anything.” 

Billy went to open his mouth.

“I’ll fuck you up. I mean it.” I told him.

He kept silent. 

“Now what kind of greeting is that? “

Scott was amused. 

“Do you think he’ll slip and say your name?”

I ignored Scott and watched my brother.

I shook my head.

“You did, didn’t you?”  I asked Billy

He couldn’t look at me. 

“Damn it Billy!” I smacked him in the head. 

“Well he was desperate.” Scott laughed.

“Fuck you.” I glanced at Scott.

“C’mon Jolene is a pretty name.” 

“You can say it all you want.” I smiled. 

“Billy has a cute nickname for you.”

Scott snapped his finger. “Damn, what is it.”

My smiled faded.

“My men overheard it.” Scott gazed at me.

“I mean you can’t be mad. Billy feared for his life.”

I didn’t need to hear anything else.

I hit Billy and he stumbled.

Scott grabbed me by the waist.

“Stop it.” He whispered in my ear.

“We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.” 

“Get off me.” I twisted in his arms.

“We can have it out right here.”

I struggled to break his hold.

The fatigue had me fucked up.

A cabin door opened across the parking lot.

Great. Now I looked uncivilized out in a public place.

I stopped when I saw Ramsey.

He was on his way to us. 

“So you do know him.”  Scott said in my ear.

“I wish I had that effect on you.”

I pushed his arms off me.

I walk past Billy.

I met Ramsey halfway.

My skin felt warm under his gaze. 

He glanced at my hand.

“I’m alright.” I said quickly. 

“They bought Billy to the shop. He asked for money. He thought the painting was worth a few hundred thousand. I told him it was priceless and he was on his own. He said he called you.”   

“And you came for me.” I cursed under my breath.

“Sweetheart, talk to me.” His eyes locked on me. 

I knew where he was with it. 

We fell into our old way of communication.

“Scott knows my real name.”   I told him. 

“He called me from Billy’s phone. I don’t have his last name. His men are on their way to my cabin to get the money. I needed to buy some time.”

Ramsey glanced over my shoulder. 

“Whatever the job is, it will be extreme. Get close to him, find out what you can. Brian ran the plates on the trucks. They’re rentals. He’ll look into Billy’s last job.”

“Do you think this is a set up?”

“Yes, and I don’t think Billy stole the real painting.”

“Ramsey...” 

“Tell me later darlin.”

The erotic tone in his voice made me want him.

I knew Scott would watch what happened next.

I turned and Ramsey grabbed my arm.

He pulled me close.

I tried to push him away.

He grabbed my wrist.

My face was close to his.

I wanted him to kiss me.

God I needed it. 

I smacked him hard across the face.

He let me go and gave me a cold stare.

I stormed away.

Scott stood next to Billy.

He saw the show. Good. 

I walked over to them.

Billy flinched and Scott laughed.

I shoved past them.

I threw my middle finger up over my shoulder. 

I needed time to myself. 

My body felt flushed.

Ramsey still looked the same.

I sighed. Damn if I didn’t want him.

The truck sped up beside me.

The back window slid down. 

“C’mon. I’ll give you a ride.” Scott said to me. 

“No, I’m fine.”

“I’m headed up there.”

I shrugged. “I guess I’ll see you when I get there.” 

Scott laughed.

“Hey, how about you punch Billy in the face.”

I glanced at the truck.

“And hit yourself while you’re at it.” 

The truck cut me off.

“Please get in.” Scott opened the door. 

I slid into the back seat and he closed the door.

I knew this would be the longest short drive ever.

I told Scott to shut the fuck up five times in my head. It didn’t help. He talked anyway.

“Are you alright?”  He asked.

“Why would I be?” I shook my head. “Where’s Billy?” 

“He’s at one of the cabins.” Scott said.

“He didn’t know how much the painting was worth.”

“Like that matters.” I stared at him.

“There was no reason for Billy to steal.”  

“Hmm. You don’t know do you?”

“What?”   I asked.

He didn’t answer but gave me a smile.

I’m sure most women thought was amazing.

“I want to hurt you Handsome.” I said honestly. 

“I would love it.” His eyes slid over me.