Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

“Giving your mother that chance. I couldn’t have done it.”

“You would have.” She seemed so sure. “If it were Lorraine, you would have.”

Maybe he would have.

One thing was for sure, though, no one would ever speak to Sage like that again.

Not while he was around.

Chapter Eleven

We cannot control the wind, but we can direct the sails.

The days came and went, blending together into what seemed like one long, drawn-out span of time full of emotion and exhaustion. Sage had found it exceedingly hard to be away from her family. As hellish as her life had been for years, starting over wasn’t as easy as she hoped.

Lochlan remained amazing. He spent every available minute with her at Lorraine’s home, telling her of all the things he and his brothers used to get into as children. Trying to ease her homesickness with his stories.

Lorraine was a complete doll, showing Sage as many pictures as she asked to see of their family together. She enjoyed the stories of the woman’s husband, Lucas, the most. Hearing the love in her voice for her man was what any young girl’s dreams were made of.

When the news came of her father and Morgan being released from jail on bail until the trial, Sage had found it hard to breathe. Anxiety had consumed her so thoroughly, she had a panic attack. Loch had held her long into the night as she fought to hold onto any semblance of control she had begun to find.

“How are you doing, sweetie?” Lorraine asked coming outside on the porch where Sage was sitting. Lochlan had just left for the start of the work week, and she was feeling vulnerable again.

“Confused. Sad. Furious.” She looked out over the woman’s beautiful rose garden as she spoke. “Yet I’m happy as I’ve ever been. I can’t recall a time in my life where I’ve felt so content.”

“Why are you sad?” Lorraine’s question made her think.

“I miss my family. My friends. My mother, Lord bless her, wasn’t always loving, but she’s a part of me, and I’m sad she can’t see that she’s free now.”

Wrapping a warm arm around her shoulders, Lorraine replied, “Oh Sage, I wish it were so simple. S

oon enough, you’ll realize that no matter how much change might be good for someone, leaving a life they’ve only ever known isn’t as easy one may think. Your mother has been with Gideon for most of her life. She’s probably terrified. Leaving her home isn’t as simple as walking away. It’s abandoning an entire belief system.”

“I did it,” Sage uttered.

“You sure did,” she confirmed. “But look how miserable you are. You’re worrying yourself sick. But you have a support system out here, my boys and I would do anything for you. Especially Lochlan. Your mother has no one. She hadn't suffered the same fate as you did before you left. And until she learns what it’s like to be hurt by the one thing she believed in, I’m afraid she may never leave.”

“I guess that would go for my siblings, too?”

“I would say so, yes.” Lorraine sounded as sad as Sage felt, confirming she may never see her family again.

They would never let her back through those gates. Not for anything. She would have to watch as an outsider. Maybe her mother was right, and she was going to Lucifer. Perhaps she shouldn’t have left.

Just the thought of it had her chest tightening with regret. She couldn’t go back even if she wanted to. Lochlan was her sole reason for leaving, and if she didn’t have him in her life, she wouldn’t survive no matter where she was. He was her light in the darkness. He lifted her when she was down. Being without him wasn’t an experience she was willing to endure.

“I missed Sunday prayer,” she whispered. Not having thought about it sooner, Sage felt empty inside. She might be beaten down and doubtful of her church’s motives, but she knew her God still needed her. She still needed Him.

“I’ll call Braxton.” Lorraine pulled away, leaving Sage confused as she entered her home.

“Who’s Braxton?”

It wasn’t long before she found out when a man nearly twice Lochlan’s size with the coldest gray eyes she’d ever seen parked a massive vehicle and walked up the sidewalk towards her.

Standing and on edge, Sage walked backwards towards the front door just as Lorraine exited the entry. “You’re a quick one, young man.”

“I was told to be around.” His voice was like rough timber. It washed over her, soothing her in the same way that his presence scared her. “I’m Braxton Hughes.” He offered his hand. Sage, too terrified to take it, stared. He chuckled. “It’s alright. Soph had the same reaction when we first were introduced. I’ll be your shadow until Loch–” He stopped talking for a moment, shooting a strange look at Sage’s companion. “Well, until things are squared away.” His words were flat. Almost disappointed.

“I don’t understand.” What did she need him for?