SAGE (9 page)

She blushed and relaxed.

Scott cleared his throat.

“What’s the time frame?”  I asked him.

“Ten weeks.”  

“When is the first one?” 

“In twelve days give or take. “

“I’ll need the locations, keep the order to yourself but I need to research. I will need help. I don’t have time to micro manage your men.”

“There’s no need.” 

Scott motioned to Sage.              

“She can do it.”

“No, she isn’t part of the deal.” 

“Ramsey, I can do it.”  

“No Sweetheart.” 

Sage was a hell of a jewel thief.  She was quick and precise. The jobs we did were low risk compared to this. There were alarm systems, no guards, and no damn jail time because I wouldn’t let her get caught. This had too many factors to consider.

Scott and his men weren’t professional.

Billy couldn’t do shit but get in the way.

I had to make a call.

“We want thirty five percent on top of the agreement.” 

Sage gazed at me.   

She wouldn’t be denied.

I nodded at her and she was satisfied.

“Where will we meet up next”   I asked Scott.

The rest would have to be discussed in private. 

If he said we wanted us to travel together, he’s more inexperienced then I thought.

Scott pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. 

“Sage will travel with me.” 

She looked at me and we laughed. 

“Nah, she won’t.” I took the paper.

“You can keep Billy though.” She smiled. 

“You all seem to be getting along well.” 

“Oh C’mon sis I’m sorry about this!” 

“This isn’t the time Billy.”  

“Billy did you tell her the truth?”  Scott laughed. “You should if you want her to accept your apology.” 

Scott was into drama. It was a feminine characteristic and would get him fucked up again. I shook my head. The waitress came to the table. I ordered a slice of chocolate cake and then asked for the check. She left the table.

“Scott you can tell me.” Sage said.

“Billy’s lies would be the same as your half-truths.” 

“Well your brother told me Ramsey showed up at his last job. Milo and Ramsey were able to get away and of course Billy was caught and went to jail.” 

“I know this.” She stared at him.

“What you didn’t know is Ramsey picked Billy up from jail and gave him 350,000 dollars. Your brother  spent  it. That’s why he and Milo wanted me to hire them instead of Ramsey. You’re here because the men in your life lied to you.”  Scott sat back satisfied. 

“It’s a lie.” Billy stared at the table.   

“Is it?” Scott laughed. 

“Yeah, part of it.”  Billy glanced at Sage.  

“I told you Ramsey and Milo left me behind and I was caught. Well this is what happened, Ramsey found out about the job. He told me not to take it. I told him I didn’t need his advice. We tripped and alarm. I didn’t know Ramsey was outside.”

Billy’s voice shook. “He came in and helped us make it to the roof. Ramsey said our way out was to jump to ledge of the next building. Ramsey went first. Milo did the jump next. He almost didn’t make it. Ramsey had to grab him. The police cars were there. Ramsey told me to leave my bag. I threw it over. I looked down and I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to die. So I let myself  get caught.  When I called I blamed it on Ramsey. The day I was released he was there. He gave me my half from the job. It was 350,000. He found me a place to stay. I spent the money on cards and women.”

Billy went silent.

“The men in your life lied to you.”  Scott said. 

“I’m the lesser of both evils.”  

Sage ignored him. 

She gazed up at me.

I was lost in those soft brown eyes.

“Why did you let me think you took Billy on the job?”

“Darlin, you needed someone to blame.” 

Her heavy sigh made my heartache.

“It’s been almost two years.”  She whispered.

I caressed her face. “I missed you.”

Her lips parted.

I ran my thumb over her full pout.

Scott cleared his throat. 

We ignored him and Billy. 

I paid attention to her.

She was vulnerable. It was this fragile broken part of her that I found most beautiful. She was rare.

The waitress came. 

She sat a huge slice of chocolate cake in front of us.

“The dessert is on the house.” She smiled at us.

“We love to see people in love.”  She left. 

Sage picked up the fork, scooped up some cake and held it to my lips. I ate it and smiled. 

“How does it taste?”  She asked.

“Great.” I winked at her. 

She gave me a passionate kiss.

“It does.” She let out a sexy sigh. 

“Are they still here?” She asked.

I glanced at them. “Sweetheart they’re leaving.” 

Billy motioned to Scott.   

He knew where his sister was with it. 

Sage ate more cake.

Scott slid out the booth and step aside.

Billy made a quick exit.

He wouldn’t get far. 

Scott’s men were probably outside. 

She held a forkful of cake up for me.

I took it and she wiped the icing from my lips.

She sucked her finger.

She tilted her head for another kiss.

I gave it to her how she wanted it.

When I glanced up, Scott was gone.

We finished our desert and left a generous tip.

We went outside.

Sage jumped on me

I caught her. 

She laughed and kissed my neck.

I carried her to the car.

She rested her head on my shoulder. “I can do this.”

My lips brushed her forehead.  “I know.”

I put her in the car and made sure she was settled in. I checked the next location, pulled out my phone, and threw it into a search. A few minutes later I was on the road with Sage asleep next to me.

I had twelve days and a lot of shit to get done.

When this was over Sage would be with me.

We would do the things we talked about.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SAGE

Deserted airfield in Fayette County - Kentucky.

I took off the black leather gloves.

I used my arm to wipe the sweat from my face.

I was ten days in and had the routine down.

I was sore last week.

I was anxious this week.

I had to practice.

I had to be ready in two days.

This had to come with little to no effort.

The weather was warm at sixty eight degrees but the drills had me messed up. I took some deep breaths and glanced at the concrete floor. It was damp and quiet in the abandoned hanger. A light breeze drifted in through the metal grates. I glanced up at the vine covered beams. The beautiful canopy was tangled with wild pink flowers.

My breathing leveled and I felt better.

I ran and jumped the make shift wooden counter.

I cleared it and landed light on the other side.

Quick switch check. Good. Everyone was out from behind the counter. Yes. Skip the drawers and hit the lock boxes. Hidden compartments or no. There wasn’t a lock that could keep me out. This was an old school bank. What if there were combo locks on the boxes? I’d break in like I was at a gym locker. I could feel the click on those. I laughed at the thought. I worked each box quick. I went down the line. I hit the locks. One of Scott’s men would flip them open and get the money. Ramsey taught him the grab and pull. He was told not to touch the sides. Bills, bag, and then onto the next. I moved to the rusted metal barrel. It was the safety deposit box section. We weren’t hitting those this time I went to the duffel bags. I picked up the heavy bags and rushed to the other side of the hanger. I lifted them and dropped them into the metal container, and then flipped over and through. I hit the ground and ran the length of the hanger. I finished the drill, adjusted my backpack, and glanced at my watch.

I did it under three minutes.

I had to make it two and half.

I would have to do it again.

I felt the shift.

I pulled my gun and turned quick. 

Scott clapped. “Impressive.”

I aimed for his chest.

He smiled. “You’re a quick learner.” 

“I didn’t learn from you or I wouldn’t be.”

Scott laughed. “Please lower the gun.”

“I’m good.” 

“C’mon, we don’t need gun play. Do we?”

“I’m always up for a little.”  

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”  Scott said.

“I saw those circus tricks you show your men.

I laughed.  “Your arm is dutchy as fuck. “

The emotion flashed across his face.

“Go ahead.”  I told him. “Reach for your gun.”  

“Why are you so damn violent?”  Scott asked. 

“A beautiful woman like you should be more…” 

He paused. “Submissive.” 

“I submit just fine.” I winked at him. “But not to you.”

There goes the emotion again. 

His jaw twitched. He tried to shake it off. 

“All this anger you have inside.”

Scott shook his head.

“I notice your country twang comes and goes. It must have been hard for you. I think what your parents did to you was terrible. You were so young…”

“Bad things happen, it builds character.” I told him

He was surprised by my calm

“Now my Uncle Elias.” I smiled. “He was a great man. He taught me right and proper. I used to shoot rusted cans outside his trailer.  He told me the world would swallow me whole if I didn’t learn to survive. I had to co-exist with fucked up people and make peace with fucked up things that happen. I told him what my parents did. Uncle Elias came and beat my daddy within an inch of his life. Now my uncle’s girlfriend Jolene cursed something awful.”

I kept my gun on Scott.

“She wore high heels. Now, Jolene was the kind of woman who spoke her mind but got along fine with everyone, except my mama. She said women like her were a disgrace. Well Jolene was with Uncle Elias that day. She hit mama hard in the face, bent down, and broke her arm. I mean snapped it like a twig. She grabbed mama’s face and forced her to look at me. Jolene said a mother’s job is to protect her child. No man should ever come in the middle of that. If I got hurt again she would come back. Jolene kicked her in the face, took my hand and asked me if I wanted ice cream.”

Scott looked shocked.  I continued.

“Uncle Elias drank himself to death three years later. Jolene wasn’t the type that stayed. I saw her before she left. She told me, no one would save me from the pain and disappoint. I would have to save myself. I was ten years old but life had hurt me. How I lived would be my decision.”

Scott moved. I adjusted my grip on the gun.

“My daddy came for me and that night the light left his eyes. My mama rushed in with a kitchen knife and her wounded heart. She asked me how I could kill the love of her life. I tried to leave, her being my mother and all. She sliced me bad.”

I pulled up my shirt to show him the deep scar.

“So reach for your gun Scott.” I smiled.

“I’ll shoot you quick and kill you slow.”

“Sage, what will you do when my men come?” 

“I think she’ll make out alright.”

Ramsey leaned against the metal door.

“I came to check on her.”

Scott said over his shoulder.

“Oh how sweet. “ I smiled. “I’m as right as rain.” 

Scott turned around.

“You wouldn’t shoot a guy in the back right?”

“I’m a female. I’ll shoot a guy however.”  

I bet Scott had that hurt look on his face. 

Ramsey laughed.

Yep Scott was emotional.

He left without another word. 

Ramsey gazed at me.  “Come to me.” 

I walked over to him and with each step the heat rose.

It swept over me when I stood in front of him.

“Are you alright?”  His eyes caressed me.

“Yes, but he made me waste time.”  I pouted.

“Sweetheart don’t even try it.” Ramsey said.

“You wanted this. Tell me how you did.”