Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

Sage didn’t know whether to laugh at the shock on her father’s face or cry from relief because someone was fighting for her. She’d never had anyone stick up for her before.

As much as she didn’t want to go home, her fear of conflict forced her to say, “I’ll go. It’ll be fine.” It took everything she had to push those words past her lips.

“No, you darn well won’t, young lady. You’re not strong enough, and you need IV fluids and antibiotics for a few days, at least.” The nurse scolded her with a confused look.

Without Lochlan, Sage felt trapped. Forced to make a choice she didn’t know how. Pulling on the nurse’s sleeve, she asked quietly, “Can you call him?”

“Call who?” her mother asked suspiciously.

With a cold look, her ally said to them, “Someone who cares about her well-being,” before leaving the room.

“After everything, you’re going to sin with that man? You’ll let him take your soul to hell?” Her father’s words were harsh.

“Lochlan makes me feel far more than I ever have before. Shouldn’t true love trump anything?”

“Love is nothing.” His hand swiped through the air with the same force as his words. “God trumps all. He will carry you through life.”

Gathering all the resolve she had, Sage replied, “I…I…I don’t believe that.” The silence to follow was pungent with shock and disbelief.

Storming forward, Sage watched in horror as his hand reached out to grab her chin so forcefully that she knew she’d have bruises in no time. Snarling in her face, the man chided, “You’re the devil’s child!” Pulling her off the bed, he proceeded to growl out, “You are no bastard of mine. You’re destined for hell and damnation!” He slammed her back on the mattress so hard she felt the welts on her back crack open and begin to bleed as he dragged her mother from the room.

Tears streamed in soft rivulets down her cheeks in the same rhythm she felt the blood seep from her back. Ripping the IVs from her hand, Sage stood, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders and sunk in the corner between the wall and window. A perfect view of the sky and her Lord.

She wanted to pray for solace.

She wanted to be forgiven.

She wanted to be accepted.

Loch was on his way to the hospital when his cell phone rang. After having picked up Sage a light breakfast of juice and a muffin, knowing that hospital food wasn’t always the best when they chose what you ate, he hoped she’d be satisfied with what he brought. Clicking the Bluetooth button, he answered with a gruff, “Hello?”

“Mr. Hogan? This is nurse Kirsten from UC Health. Sage asked me to call you.”

“Is she alright? I’m on my way right now.” He was panicked, suddenly grateful he’d thought to leave his name with the charge nurse.

“She’s fine, no need to worry. Her parents are here, and she’s feeling stressed. I can let her know you’re on your way?”

“Yes, I’m only a few minutes away.”

Hanging up with the woman, he drove as fast as the busy traffic would allow. He’d hardly slept all night with the stress and worry about Sage. Was she comfortable, was she scared of her new surroundings? Did she need anything?

His mother, Lorraine, had thankfully agreed to meet him at the hospital since he hadn’t had time to visit her in person. Which worked out well because he knew as soon as she was introduced to Sage, she’d love her.

After finding a parking spot, the short ride up the elevator seemed to take twice as long as it did when he’d left late—or rather early this morning. As soon as the ding sounded, Loch was pushing through the doors before they were completely open.

As he rounded the corner to Sage’s corridor, there was a lot of commotion coming in and out of her room. Hurrying his steps, he stopped a nurse to ask what was going on. “Is Sage worse?”

“Lochlan?” Someone called from behind.

Turning around, he saw the woman’s name tag read Kirsten. “I spoke to you on the phone. What’s going on?” He was getting more and more upset the longer they took to answer him.

“Her parents were here. I came out to call you like Sage asked, and well…come with me.” Her tone and the look in her eyes weren’t as calm as he’d expect from someone in her position.

Following behind her, there were two other nurses in the room as well as an older female doctor. The sight of Sage curled in the corner shaking, stark fear written in every tense line of her body had him shaken.

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“Sage,” he whispered. “Angel, look at me.” His voice was low, pleading.