Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

“Damn, bro.” Levi smiled. “When did you start talking so much?”

He shrugged, not knowing what to say anymore now that everyone knew just how he felt. Including Sage. Tears pooled in her eyes as she sat on the step of the ambulance only ten feet away, her brothers and sister beside her smiling. Relief was evident on all their faces at his confession.

Her eyes. Those perfect crystal clear blue irises were hiding everything she was feeling now. He couldn’t get a read on her for the first time since meeting her.

Pushing past his brothers, he walked over to her. “Sage?”

“You could have gone to jail.” She sounded horrified.

“I wanted to rescue you. Swear to God, every time you walked into the shop, I wanted to steal you away.”

“You would have gone to jail for sure.” She seemed stuck on the jail part.

“You would have been worth it.”

“I’m not, though. I’m just a silly girl.”

“I won’t argue with you about just how important you are to me. You’re everything, Sage. There isn’t a single thing in the world I won’t do for you. You have to know that by now.”

“I do.”

“Then marry me.” He couldn’t let that go. No matter what anyone thought, for them, it was right.

She hesitated for a split second before saying, “yes,” so quietly he almost missed it.

“You’re going to hell!” was screamed before he could react to the acceptance.

“No, mother.” Sage stood calmly, sauntering over to the woman who gave her life. “If you would just open your eyes and heart, you would see there is so much more than what was forced on you.”

“You’re Satan’s whore,” the woman shrieked.

Sage flinched but continued on. “Father shouldn’t have married you. You were fifteen, you had no choice. I understand that now, more than ever before. But what he’s doing to us at this moment, forcing everyone to stay behind these walls, making us forfeit a life where happiness and love are prevalent isn’t fair. Now is your time to learn and to leave, Mother.” Reaching out a hand, Sage asked, “Come with me, please.”

The woman’s gaze was swimming with confusion and fear before she snapped out, “I hope Lucifer drags you into the bowels of Hell and plays you like a fiddle.” The sharp inhale from Sage conveyed her hurt at the woman’s words.

“Hey!” Loch finally cracked. “She’s offering you a chance at a new life. She’s offering you far more than I or anyone else I know would do. She is your flesh and blood, and in my presence, you will damn well show her the respect she deserves.” Speechless, Sage’s mother only stared at him. “You sat back and watched her being bullied and abused for years; you owe her. Not the other way around.” He was seething with rage thinking about all Sage had to tolerate that by the time he’d finished speaking, he had to hold back from throttling the stubborn woman.

“How dare you!” she barked back.

“Enough of this.” Frank stood between them. “Mrs. Marlowe, your husband is being taken to the county jail. You can choose to follow and find out about a bail hearing or stay here.” He didn’t give the woman a chance to respond as he turned to face Loch, who had pulled Sage into his embrace. “Lochlan, take Miss Marlowe to the hospital to be evaluated and then home. Let her rest where she’ll have peace. Bring her some tea and tell her about that time you and Levi decided flying was a good idea. She looks like she needs a good laugh.”

“Come on, Loch, let’s get her out of here.” Nox guided his brother towards the waiting ambulance once again.

“Porter,” Loch called to Sage’s oldest brother.

“Yes?”

“You guys coming? We’ll help get you squared away,” he offered.

The three of them appeared torn, lost at what to do. He knew the answer before it was given. “I think we’ll stay.” Loch nodded. “For now.” He was relieved to know they would think about it.

“Are you sure?” Sage questioned. Leaving them behind wouldn’t be easy for her. She loved them fiercely.

Hugging his sister to his chest, Porter whispered to her, “You go, savor that love. I have to take care of Mother. Make sure the girls will be alright.”

Nodding her head, Sage embraced them each one last time before walking back to Loch. Making their way to the awaiting ambulance, he said to her quietly, “I’m proud of you.”

“What for?” She sounded perplexed.