“I’ve got you,” he murmurs. “God, I’m so sorry, Sage. You must hate me. But I’ll explain everything, okay?”
I nod, my limbs going numb as my head spins. The room tilts to the side, but before I hit the ground, Jackson pulls me against his chest. He scoops me up, tucking my head into the side of his neck to shield me from the aftermath of everything that went down.
“Reaper, Shadow, Wraith, I’ve got her,” Jackson calls out over the ongoing chaos.
“Is she hurt?” one of them asks.
“A bit scraped up, but she’ll be okay.”
“Good to hear. The boys and I will take out the trash. No one is going to open a sick auction house that sells women on our turf.”
I shudder at the reminder of what set all of this in motion in the first place. My father, the man I talked to on the phone just a few hours ago, engaged in human trafficking. It’s sick, disgusting, and vile. I want to scrub away every thought of him.
“Will you let me take care of you?” Jackson whispers as he carries me out to his truck. “I’m so sorry I broke your trust. I’ll tell you everything if you give me another chance.” His hazel eyes search mine, begging me to hear him out.
“Take me home. Your home,” I clarify.
A soft, tentative smile spreads across his face. “Ourhome,” he corrects.
10
JACKSON
Sage fell asleep a few hours ago after a hot shower and a bowl of soup. I’ve been sitting in a chair next to the bed, unable to take my eyes off the subtle rise and fall of her chest.
Earlier today, I texted Sage and didn’t hear back from her. After calling her a few times, I knew something was wrong. I rushed home, immediately sensing that Sage was gone. My home felt cold and empty without her presence, just like I know it always will when she’s not here.
When I discovered all of her clothes and toiletries were missing, it didn’t take long for me to figure out what happened. She must’ve somehow discovered that I’m not who I said I was. It took me all of two minutes to drive to her place, and when I got there, I nearly had a heart attack. Her apartment had been broken into and ransacked, and I instinctively knew she had been kidnapped.
I had a few leads about Sage’s father from my contacts, but they weren’t getting back to me fast enough. I’d already figured out he stole something from a biker gang not too far away from here. They call themselves Sons of Destruction, and that’s exactly what they’re doing: destroying this community.
Luckily, I know a few bikers myself. Several members of Wicked Riders MC are veterans, and I see them around the local VA and support groups. While not the most above-board way of doing things, I was desperate. The Wicked Riders are fiercely loyal and protective, and I knew they were already on a mission to eradicate the Sons of Destruction. The President, Reaper, was all too happy to respond to my call for help. His men made quick work of finding out where Sage was, and insisted on backing me up even though I was ready to walk in there by myself with guns blazing.
Speaking of…
My phone rings, and I see Reaper's name flash across the screen. I slip outside into the hallway before answering so as not to disturb Sage’s rest.
“Reaper,” I greet, getting right down to business.
“Jackson, how’s your girl?”
The President of Wicked Riders may think he’s a bastard beyond saving, but I’ve seen enough of his true nature to know he’s a good man. He just needs someone to make him believe it.
“Better now. She’s resting. Any updates?” I ask.
“We eliminated the old man, and sent the younger one back bloody and broken, with a message to his brothers: back off, shut it down, or this is what’s going to happen to all of you.”
“Good. Do you think that’ll be enough?”
“Probably not,” Reaper sighs heavily. “But that’s not for you to worry about. You have Sage to take care of now; leave the rest to us. Besides, you did the MC a big favor by connecting the dots of who’s operating the auction house.” Reaper tells me he got the information from an old friend in Chicago who told him to look out for human trafficking rings in Colorado.
After a few minutes, Reaper and I hang up. I receive a text from him a second later with an address, a phone number, and the nameRonnie Makenzie. He doesn’t have to tell me what it isor what to do with that information. Sage doesn’t need to know the gritty details of how I’ll take down her father and make sure he’s sent to prison for life. As long as she’s safe and happy, that’s all that matters.
I make my way back to the bedroom to check on Sage, surprised to see her awake and sitting up. She smiles shyly at me, then pats the spot next to her on the bed. I nearly jump in next to her like an excited dog. She wants to sit next to me. That has to be a good sign, right?
“How are you feeling?” I ask while checking her face and arms for more bruises. Each one pains me to see.
“Better than I thought I’d be,” she answers truthfully. Her green eyes meet mine for a brief second before focusing on the comforter. “I didn’t really get hurt that much, I’m more just… in shock. All of it was… is… It’s just a lot to take in. My dad, my apartment, the kidnapping… I freaking shot someone! Did they die?!”
