by D. Camille
“He said he'd be right behind us,” Ray said. “I'm sure you'll be hearing from him soon. He said he's taking care of this one.”
Sean looked over at him. “Not surprising. You're cool with that?”
“If I gave a shit at all about Nico, I would actually feel sorry for him right now.”
Sean agreed.
When Lily returned with a couple of coffees, Ray accepted with a smile while watching her with Sean. When the doctor came out stating that Sage had been checked out and they could see her the trio rushed to her side.
Sage looked and saw Ray, Sean and Lily, but no Jordan. She sat on the table looking at Ray with questioning eyes. He was just about to assure her when Jordan walked through the door.
“Jordan!” she exclaimed opening her arms to him.
He crossed the room and took her into his arms.
“Oh Jordan,” she said holding him tightly. Jordan rubbed her back and looked around the room indicating he wanted to see Sage in private. Ray nodded then he, Sean and Lily left the room quietly.
Jordan lifted her face to look at her head. The was a small bump that had formed.
“Are you okay pretty girl?” he asked softly.
She lowered her head. “I'm sorry Jordan. I know I promised you I wouldn't meet him.”
He lifted her face. “We'll deal with that later,” he told her. “Did he hurt you in any way?”
She shook her head and lowered it again avoiding his eyes.
“What is it Sage?”
In barely a whisper she told him all of the disgusting, nasty things Nico had threatened to do to her and have her do to him. Jordan held her tighter as his blood boiled.
“I wanted to kill him Jordan,” she said fiercely holding on him.
“It's okay baby. You're safe now. You don't have to worry about him.”
“Is he in jail?” she asked.
Jordan answered, “He's being detained.”
“I don't ever want to see him again!” she snapped.
“You won't.”
Then she said softly. “I thought you weren't coming.”
He lifted those brown eyes to his. “What? Why would you think that?”
She shrugged. “Because I didn't do like you asked.”
“I will never desert you Sage. Ever. I love you, baby.”
“I'm so sorry I caused all this Jordan.”
Jordan smiled at her. “Don't worry baby. You'll make it up to me. I'll make sure of it.”
She smiled and held him tighter.
As the hospital was preparing the paperwork to release Sage, Ray, Jordan and Sean were outside sitting in one of the security cars. Lily had stayed to wait with Sage in the room.
“Ray you can stay with her tonight,” Jordan announced. “I'll come by tomorrow to see her.”
Ray raised a brow surprised.
Jordan shrugged. “She's your sister and she's been hurt. You need to make sure she's okay,” he stated. “I'm planning to spend every night with her for the rest of my life. I can give you one night.”
For the first time in a long time, the two men gave each other a hug and a manshake.
About damn time, Sean thought.
“Sean, is everything ready?” Jordan asked.
Sean nodded.
“Time to handle business,” Jordan said getting out of the car.
The three men went back inside to collect Sage and Lily. Sean and Lily took one car to take Lily home. Ray, Sage and Jordan took another to take Sage home. At Sage's apartment Jordan carried her inside, although she complained the whole way that she could walk. He carried her to the bedroom, placed her on the bed and sat on the edge.
“Ray is going to stay with you tonight baby,” he told her.
“Why?”
“Because he's your brother and he's worried about you. He needs to make sure you're okay,” he explained.
“Aren't you worried about me?” she asked pouting.
“Of course, but I trust Ray. I know he won't let anything happen to you.”
“Where will you be?” she asked.
Jordan shrugged. “I'm going to knock some things out,” he said cryptically. “But I'll see you tomorrow. I promise, and I keep my promises,” he teased.
“Alright Jordan.” She hugged him.
“Get some rest pretty girl,” he said staring into her eyes.
She raised her face and kissed him.
In the living room Ray was watching television. He stood when Jordan entered.
“I told her you're staying with her.”
“She give you hell?” Ray asked.
“She wouldn't be Sage if she didn't.” Both men laughed.
Jordan checked his watch. “I'll be unreachable for about an hour or so,” Jordan told him. “Keep her occupied if you can.”
Ray nodded. “You got the bracelet?” he asked.
Jordan nodded and walked out the door.
Chapter 19
The black SUV pulled up to the vacant warehouse located along the docks. A matching SUV pulled up behind the first one. Jordan exited the first and Sean the second. Together they walked toward the building that was being guarded on all sides. There was a large can with a fire burning a few yards away.
Jordan looked at the building. “We haven't been here in a while,” he commented.
“Yeah, I know,” Sean agreed.
Once inside they walked to the back where a set of rooms were located. Inside one of those rooms was Nico. There was a security agent outside the door.
“Update me,” Jordan said briskly.
“He's been yelling and screaming that his rights are being violated.”
Jordan shook his head. This idiot didn't even realize that it wasn't the police who had him right now but he would soon enough.
Jordan stepped over to the table in the room. He removed his jacket and folded it neatly before unfastening his watch and handing it to Sean. He unbuttoned his shirt sleeves.
“I hate destroying a good shirt,” he remarked then shrugged. “But some things can't be avoided.”
He handed his wallet and phone to Sean. “It's turned off. If Sage calls it'll go to voicemail.”
Sean nodded putting the items aside on the table. “How long, do you think?” Sean asked.
Jordan leaned his head to the side. “Hmmm, he looks like a little bitch so I'd guess ten minutes... max. But then again, he's a smart ass so I might give him a little extra.”
Jordan walked to the door and security opened it for him to enter. Sean guessed the 'little extra' would be a given so he took a seat at the table.
Inside the room Nico looked up when Jordan entered and watched him closely.
“What's up Nico? ”Jordan said entering the room. “I told you I'd see you soon.”
Jordan started moving the furniture around in the room. He pushed the table against the wall and then calmly moved all the chairs there as well. When he was done he turned to Nico who was still sitting on the sofa that was in the room.
“Let me tell you a little story Nico.” Jordan began. “I can tell you because you'll never be able to tell anybody else,” he finished with a flick of his hand.
Jordan continued. “See when I was growing up dudes always wanted to test me, try me. Calling me 'pretty rich boy' and shit like that.”
“So I learned the best way to shut them up was to just to beat their asses.”
“But not just beat their asses, I mean beat the shit out of them and some of them...well sometimes things can get a little out of hand.” Jordan shrugged.
He slowly walked over to where Nico was now standing. “But I said all that just to say, that's what I'm about to do to you.” He grabbed Nico by his shirt.
“See I told you to stay your ass away from Sage.” He slammed him against the wall.
“And did you do it?”
“No. You didn't.” He punched him in the stomach and Nico doubled over.
Jordan helped him straighten up again.
“W
hat did you do?”
“You pulled a gun on her and tried to kidnap her.” He smacked him across the face.
“Then you told her a bunch of nasty ass shit you wanted to do to her.” Jordan landed a punch directly to his sack and Nico released a high pitched scream dropping to his knees.
Jordan looked at Nico and shook his head. He pulled Nico’s head up again.
“Nico, your screaming has just begun dude,” he assured him before punching him dead in the face.
Nine minutes later Jordan exited the room. Sean looked him over.
“Is he still alive?” Sean asked.
“Barely.”
“Did he even try to fight back?” Sean asked. Jordan didn't have a mark on him but there was plenty of blood on his shirt.
“If you call that fighting. Sage would probably give me a better fight,” he commented.
“Sage would probably kick your ass,” Sean joked and Jordan laughed.
Jordan removed the shirt and looked at it. “Damn I hate wasting clothes.” Sean held the opened paper bag and Jordan dropped the shirt inside. He then removed his pants and added them to the bag which already contained his jacket.
“Everything you need is in the bathroom,” Sean relayed.
“Thanks.” Jordan headed to the bathroom. Sean headed outside to the burning can and dropped the bag that contained the clothing inside.
Jordan showered and changed into a new suit. He met Sean back at the table. After putting his watch back on, he placed his wallet in his pocket and turned his phone back on. He punched in a bunch of strokes and nodded at Sean.
“The bracelet is activated?” Sean asked.
“Yeah. The removal mechanism for now. I'll activate the rest when they drop him.”
“Did you have a hard time putting it on him?”
Jordan shook his head. “He was passed out when I did.”
Sean nodded. “What's the destination?” he asked.
“Send his ass to the jungle,” Jordan said in a hard voice and walked out the door.
Sean grabbed his phone and ordered the plane.
Sean and Jordan entered one SUV and Nico was put in the other headed to the airport.
In the back seat Jordan turned to Sean. “You want to get some dinner?” he asked.
“Yes.” Sean answered. “I haven't been to that Italian place in a while.”
“Cool.”
At the restaurant Jordan felt his phone vibrate. He looked at the screen. The message from Sage read:
I miss you. (sad face)
He typed back:
Don't do that.
She wrote:
I do miss you. Are you busy? Call me.
Jordan smiled as he connected a face time call to Sage. When her beautiful face came on the screen he smiled some more.
“You're trying to torture me,” he said to her smiling face.
“I do miss you,” she said pouting.
“Missing this Black Magic huh?” he teased.
Sage laughed. “I can't even lie. I am.”
Jordan laughed. “I told you.”
“Anyway Jordan. What are you doing?”
“Having dinner with Sean. Why aren't you resting?” he asked.
She sighed. “I keep thinking about Nico. I can't sleep.”
“You don't have to worry about him baby. He's never going to bother you again.”
Her eyes widened. “Why? Did you kill him?”
“Pretty girl, I didn't kill him,” he told her. “Where's your brother?” he asked changing the subject.
“He's been trying to keep me company.”
“How's your head?” he asked.
She gave him a sexy look. “Why don't you come check on me and see for yourself?” Jordan laughed.
“Because I told your brother I'd let him take care of you tonight. I'll take care of you every night after.”
She smiled at him. “You promise?”
“You're the one who breaks promises. Don't think I've forgotten about that.”
“I know. I have to make you forget about that.”
Jordan rubbed his beard. “And just how do you think you're going to do that?”
“I'll think of something,” she purred. “Ray just made me dinner. So I should go and eat.”
“Okay baby. Get some rest.”
“I love you Jordan.”
“I love you too Sage.”
The call disconnected and he put his phone back in his breast pocket.
Sean raised an eyebrow. “Why'd you lie to her?”
“I didn't.”
“Jordan, she asked point blank if you killed him.”
“Which is exactly why I didn't kill him in that room, although I wanted to,” Jordan explained. “I didn't kill him. I beat his ass and sent him to the jungle.”
Jordan reached for his glass. “If he dies, so be it.” He took a sip.
Sean smiled. “Jordan you put a bracelet on him that makes him keep moving only allowing a five minute rest before it shocks the hell out of him; and if he removes it, it kills him instantly.”
Jordan shrugged. “And where in all that did I kill him? His ass just better not try to remove it and keep moving when I activate it.
“You beat the hell out of him first. He could barely walk when they took him out of there.”
“He should have thought of that. I warned him,” he said in his defense.
“Where does Ray get these gadgets from anyway?”
Jordan answered. “I don't ask. As long as he's not using it on me, I'm cool.”
“If Sage finds out-”
“She's not,” he cut him off. “That bastard deserved everything coming to him. You think I'd let him live and possibly have the opportunity to do any of the shit he said to her?”
“Then why not just tell her the truth?” Sean asked.
Jordan tapped his hand on the table and remained silent for a minute. “I never want Sage to look at me with fear, because I would never hurt her.”
Both men fell silent before Jordan spoke again.
“I don't want to do anything that would cause her to stop loving me,” he said quietly.
“Getting rid of Nico was a necessity. She doesn't need to know how it happened, just that it's done and she doesn't have to worry about him. Plus, I just didn't like his ass,” Jordan concluded.
Sean's phone vibrated and he checked the screen. Smiling he put the phone back in pocket.
Jordan looked up. “You need to leave?” he asked raising a brow.
Sean smiled. “Last minute change in plans.”
Jordan smiled at his friend and then his own phone started beeping. It was the alert for the bracelet he had placed on Nico. There had been an attempt to remove the apparatus and the subject had been killed instantly. After reading his phone he looked back to Sean.
“My work is done.” Jordan called for the check.
Sage sat down at the table Ray had set for dinner. He made their plates and joined her.
“How do you feel Baby Goddess?” he asked.
“I'm fine Sun God. You know I've been through worse,” she commented.
“Yeah, I know.”
She ate a small portion of her food then looked up. “Ray?” she called.
“Yeah?”
She looked him in the eye. “I want you to handle Nico. I can't let this be a problem for Jordan.”
“I'm surprised you didn't handle him yourself,” Ray said leaning back in his chair eying her.
“How did he get you Sage?” he questioned.
She shook her head. “I let my guard down. I really believed he was harmless and I didn’t want to hurt him,” she said quietly. “Besides, that's not my life anymore.”
“You were always too trusting for that life,” Ray said picking up his fork.
“Will you do it?” she asked.
“It's done,” Ray confirmed.
“I don't want Jordan involved,” she insisted.
Ray sat his fork down again and
raised an eyebrow.
“When are you going to tell him about you?” he asked.
“I don't want him to know,” she said looking down at her plate.
“Even though I don’t want you two together, he's in love with you Sage.” Ray knew that without a shadow of a doubt after the last few days.
She sighed. “I'm in love with him too Ray.”
“Then tell him the truth. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Sage looked at her brother. “Jordan sees me as regular a woman; a woman he wants to love, protect and cherish. I don't want him to see me any other way,” she explained. “Besides that's not my life anymore. That's the past.”
Ray shook his head. “Sometimes Sage, the past doesn't stay there.”
Jordan arrived home after dinner with Sean. It amazed him that as large as his home was, it felt empty when Sage was not there. He slowly went upstairs. In his room he glanced over at the bed. Memories of being there with Sage came to his mind. He undressed and headed to the shower. Sage. She was now a part of him. It was as if she had been created specifically for him. He loved everything about her. She had a way of keeping him in line that no one else possessed.
Stepping into the shower he started the water and allowed it to cascade over his head. More memories of Sage ran through his mind. Memories of making love to her in this very shower. She made him feel things he had never felt before. Her love eased the ache left in his heart by another. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her.
Jordan finished showering and climbed into his bed. He lay back staring at the ceiling. Memories now of his evening came to mind. He didn't have any qualms about what he'd done to Nico. After what he'd tried to do to Sage, Jordan could think of worse things he could have done to him. He didn't want Sage to know that part of him. Most of which was in the past.
He moved his thoughts back to Sage and reached over to his phone. He opened his photo gallery and began browsing through his pictures of Sage. He had many. She may be the photographer, but he loved taking pictures of her. When he got to the pictures of her tattoo, he closed the gallery and dialed her number.
“Hi Jordan,” she answered happily.
“Hi Sage,” he responded closing his eyes and savoring her voice. “How are you pretty girl?”
“I'm fine.” she answered. “Where are you?” she asked.
