Sage's Story (The Town of Pearl 5)

“You mean the witness who saw your guy force the blonde into the car?”

“Yes.”

“He’s been terminated.”

“Terminated?”

“Yes, now, no need to worry about that. Let’s stick to the schedule. Remember, September is our cooling-off time, so the next three months are crucial to meeting our quota. If you fail any of these missions, we’re done. We’ll need to pack up and head to a different state or perhaps a different country.”

“I understand. Oh, by the way, there’s that big poker event taking place on Friday. I need six girls. Can I call Falcon to see if he can handle on such short notice?”

“Sure. He’s the best man for the job. Make sure he gives us a good cut.”

“You got it, and don’t worry. This week’s hit will go exactly as planned.”

“I’m betting on that, Rye.”

* * * *

Sage finished her workout at the dojo and was going to jog back home to the cottage. She took off her gi and had changed into black running shorts, a workout tank top in raspberry, and she tied her sneakers.

As she stretched out, holding the small backpack and taking a sip of water, she heard Bill Jacob’s Mustang pull down the road and park right in the spot by the bench she was stretching by. He honked the horn, drawing attention to him, as usual as his brother Corey, along with Lenny and Davie, got out of the car.

“Hey, Sage, where you headed off to?” Corey asked, as he leaned against the pole and eyed her over.

“Just finished up at the dojo, and now I’m headed home.”

“Need a ride?” Bill asked as he stared at her chest and then her thighs before rolling his tongue over his bottom lip. She placed her hands on her hips as Davie gave Bill a light smack against his side.

“Nice try, Bill, but I’m not one of those mindless bimbos you usually hook up with at the end of the night at the clubs. Do yourself a favor and don’t use that line again,” Sage stated.

Bill shook his head. “You’re a tough nut to crack, Sage. But I’ll keep trying. You are definitely worth it.”

“You’re such a loser,” Lenny told him, and they all laughed.

“I thought you were trying to hook up with the redhead from Keanter? Is she going to be at the dance hall in Turbank Friday night?” Sage asked Bill and Corey. Corey stepped one foot up on the bench as he leaned on his leg looking relaxed and suave. These guys, her friends growing up here the last four years, were very attractive and had great personalities, but she didn’t have feelings for them beyond that. In fact, she knew they were joking around about hooking up with her. These guys would have her back in a flash if some guys bothered her. She thought about Dale, Matt, Virgo, and Quaid. Something she had been doing constantly since yesterday. Not that they would try something, but these young guys here wouldn’t survive one hit from Virgo, never mind some strategic attack from Matt and Quaid. And Dale, hell, Dale could probably just give that cocky, mean, take-no-shit look of his and these guys would retreat.

“Maybe. I don’t know. She was so damn shy last time we saw her,” Bill stated.

“She was probably shy if you were throwing out sexual innuendoes the way you like to do so much. You need to lighten up on the flirtatious comments. Just talk with her and get to know her,” Sage told them.

“Like you were talking and getting to know Matt, Virgo, Dale, and Quaid?” he countered. She was shocked as she looked at Lenny and Davie who seemed upset. “Amanda told us about the barbecue,” Davie told her as he held her gaze. She felt guilty and she didn’t know why. They were all just friends.

“Well it was nothing,” she told them.

“That’s not what we heard. Word is, those men are staking a claim to you,” Corey added.

She gasped, the anger hitting her belly. “A claim to me? What the hell is up with that?”

“Calm down, Sage. You know it’s how things are done sometimes around Pearl. It’s to keep you safe, and to warn off any other men,” Lenny added as he stared at her while he chewed his gum.

“I know how things work. I’m also not interested in dating anyone. I may be leaving here after the summer anyway. This is insane. You must be wrong.”

“Maybe if they found out you were the one who did the wheelie through town on the speed bike, they’d be pissed off?” Billy teased.

She glared at him. “Very funny. But you were the two idiots that decided that racing through town would be a great idea. Oh wait, you lost that race,” she countered. Bill went to say something but then shut up. They all chuckled.

“They’re good men, Sage. Strong, experienced and no one would dare mess with any of them,” Davie told her.