She tried fighting off the men a couple of times and it cost her a broken arm and some bruising. But nothing compared to watching them kill another woman who attempted to escape. They had used her as an example to scare the women into remaining cooperative.
Sage was heading down the hallway of the restaurant area before heading back to the table where Amanda and their friends sat talking. She smiled the moment she saw Mr. Brent Pierson.
“Sage. Oh, how wonderful to see you. Did you get the flowers I sent you?”
“Yes, Mr. Pierson. Thank you so much for them. That was very kind of you.”
He smiled at her and then made an angry expression as he looked at her cheek and jaw.
“They got the ones who did this to you, right?” he asked, and she nodded her head.
“It’s just some bruising. It could have been worse.”
“I
heard. I don’t even want to imagine if they had been successful in injecting something into you to knock you out. I heard that Amanda was rescued, and that the agents also saved several other women.”
“Yes, it was a success. I’m so glad my friends in Dallas were able to get the license plate number off that van.”
“Don’t forget about you using the pepper spray and some of that cool martial arts you do so well.”
She smiled. He was such a nice guy. He was attractive, friendly, and even talked about moving into Pearl, once business slowed down.
“Sage.” She heard her name and turned to see Quaid. He looked concerned and then he looked at Brent and smiled.
“Hi, Brent. How are you?” he asked as he shook his hand hello.
“I’m good. But I’m sure you and your cousins are ecstatic that this all is coming to an end.”
“We are. We’re grateful that Sage is safe and that Amanda is back home in Pearl.” He wrapped his arm around Sage’s waist from behind. She smiled.
“Well, I’m off to meet a friend in Turbank. Enjoy the celebrating. I hope to see you back in the restaurant soon, Sage,” he said.
“I’ll be back Monday. I’m taking the week off.”
“Completely understandable. Enjoy.” He headed through the main entry, waving hello to everyone as he left.
She turned into Quaid’s arms and smiled. His dimples dipped in and she chuckled. “Have I told you how much I love your dimples?”
He shook his head and squeezed her snugger against him.
“Well, I do. They’re cute.”
“Cute?” he asked, sounding disappointed. She stood up on tiptoes and whispered against his lips. “They’re sexy, just like you.”
“I think it’s time to go home,” he whispered back as he kissed her. His palms moved over her ass cheeks and squeezed them.
“You two cut that out. You’re in a public place,” Davie yelled out, and they could hear the hoots and hollers.
Sage and Quaid turned around and headed back toward everyone, enjoying being together and feeling safe again. Although the investigation into the leader of the smuggling operation was still ongoing, most of the feds had left town.
Sage joined the others, and took Amanda’s hand as she smiled and sat down beside her. Amanda hugged her tight.
“I think Billy, Corey, and even Aiden and Jack are angry at me.”
Sage looked around the room, and sure enough, the four brothers were there, but they didn’t look happy.
“Honey, they really care about you.”