Chapter 20Sage's POVThompson was rather calm and cooperative as the meeting continued. I'd felt he would have a lot of other shit to sprout about my sense of operation but he didn't.As the meeting came to an end, the investors looked content and proud of the outcome of it. We had put out and rephrased the financial budget for the company's projects during the second half of the year.Our market value at the moment was peak. The highest we've ever experienced. Thompson didn't seem happy to give me the credit but he had no choice.I was happy to watch him reluctantly applaud for me along with the others. Too bad he didn't succeed in his aim of badmouthing me, however, he had a lot to tell Theodore the next time they met.I exchanged handshakes with them before walking them out of the room.Violet was outside and she collected the file from me, "They look pleased""They are. Ecstatic in fact." I felt a sense of pride as I spoke, "The Jersey project and its performance in the market is
Chapter 21Sage's POV"Is my husband in?" I asked Tina as I stepped into the house. She was seated on the couch watching a series."Yes, he came back some minutes ago" She replied getting to her feet. She picked up the tote bag which which had been sitting next to her making me stare at her in confusion."Oh okay. Are you going somewhere?""I am going home. I usually don't stay, dear. Last night was the exception since it was a special request" She gave me a knowing stare and I cleared my throat."Alright, see you tomorrow" "Sure. I made dinner for you two, don't forget to have it" Her voice was calm but I couldn't help but detect a hint of a tease in it.I turned and watched her as she left, fighting to keep my expression neutral. This woman was definitely teasing me and it was notable from the short laughter she gave when she turned to wave at me.Fuck, my face was flushed. She might be thinking of something else...I closed the door and sighed, squaring my shoulders as I headed to
Chapter 22Sage's POV"This place is gorgeous," I gasped in awe as we entered a restaurant located around the outskirts of town.It took around forty-five minutes to get here."This way," Diego said as led me to an empty table by the window behind the room. The restaurant was small and warm. There was a homely touch to it that brought me comfort.The aroma of grilled chicken with garlic filled the room and it made my stomach grumble. I suddenly felt hungry to the point of feeling my guts twisting."How did you find this place?" I asked, scanning the room. Apart from both of us, there was another couple occupying the table in the middle of the room. They seemed to be fighting for the menu even though there was another one before them."During one of my random drives around town. I stopped by to get a treat and it has been one of my favorite dinner spots since then" He explained and I nodded thoughtfully.We picked the menu on the table and went through it. As we did, a man approached u
Chapter twenty three Diego's POV"You know papi, you don't have to be modest around me. We both know what we want here" Sage slurred, staring at me through half-lidded eyes. Her hands played with the hem of my shirt and slowly found their way inside, running up my abs.The night had ended with her getting drunk. I took note to myself, never let her drink alcoholic wine again. I closed the door behind me gently and headed toward the bedroom.She grumbled something about me wanting to fuck her and a small smile stalked across my face. I stared at her perfect figure in my arms, she was drunk yet seducing me as though she was in her right mind."I know what I want, sweetheart but I doubt you're ready for it" My voice was hoarse and low. If only she knew how much a single stare from her could set me off, she wouldn't bother trying.My breath caught when her hand moved from my abs to the waistband of my pants. This woman was playing a dangerous game and she knew the right moves to make."I
Chapter 24Sage's POVFuck!My head hurt, I thought as I contemplated opening my heavy eyelids. My head was throbbing as though a bass drum had been stationed in my skull.My eyelids parted and instinctively, my hand went up my face palming it as I winced in pain. I squinted, a groan leaving my lips as I struggled to sit up on the bed. Damn! The last time I drank that much was when I was still a freshman at college. I might be a party freak but drinking is out is out of the books for me.My mouth was sour and dry. I needed water. Why did I drink so much last night?A wave of dizziness crashed over me as I tried to sit up, I clutched the bedside table, steadying myself and when I was up, I brought my knees to my chest. My hands went to my head, gently massaging my temples.I heaved a sigh, my eyes darting around the room to see if Diego was in. The faint scent of his cologne meant he had been in for a while but he didn't sleep here last night, the space next to me was cold and the she
Chapter 25. Sage's POV After breakfast, Bella and I left the house. Bella chose to drive and it probably was the worst decision I'd make in my life so far. Bella drove recklessly like she was in a video game with an unlimited supply of lives. I don't think she realized it though. When we arrived at the construction site, I met with the engineers present and had a few words with them then toured the place. The first place we went to was in the southern part of the city. The next site we visited, we watched the demolition of the buildings around. "I've always admired how you handled your business," Bella said as we returned to the car, "You're confident and graceful... Different" I smirked, "Don't flatter me, Bella" "I'm being serious" Of course you are, my lips curved upward as I got into the driver's seat. I couldn't risk my life again. "We should hang out again, next time," She said applying lipstick to her already plump red lips. I glanced at her, tempted to ask if she had
Chapter 26. Sage's POV My stride across the hallway to the conference room was decisive and purposeful. I kept my shoulders squared and my head high as always. Violet was beside me stressing and struggling to match my pace for whatever reason. She didn't want me to meet Alex because she felt he couldn't be trusted. How could she be so sure? She was being dramatic. We hadn't met him in years – five maybe? And I wasn't as worked up as she was even though I had the biggest connection to him. Biggest? No. I wouldn't call it that. Alex and I attended the same college well at least till he left without a trace. And during those days, I had it hot for him. He knew. Everyone knew and I basked in the feel of being called his girl. We were not even dating. I was so dumb then for some reason. It's what feelings do to you. Makes you dumb. This is one of the reasons, I don't appreciate being tied down in marriage. "That's his assistant" Violet informed as we neared the conference. Before t
Chapter 27. Diego's POV "This is all there is to the will. If you have any problems, you can get it settled with him" Franklin, my grandfather's assistant spoke smoothly, his eyes darting between Edgar and I. He stood beside my grandfather's lawyer who had just read out his will. The old lawyer had his glasses resting on the bridge of his nose and his eyes peaking at me at intervals. The day had been going great till the time I spoke with Sage over the phone. Franklin came over with Grandfather's lawyer, Morris, and distorted me with the ridiculous clauses in his will. I'd thought everything was settled the moment he asked me to sell off my mom's house but no... I would get the best part of it indeed, the control of everything was mine now that I was married but it was still in his hands till I provided an heir with my wife within the first year of marriage. How fucking absurd that was! Within a damn year. Sage and my agreement would last for only six months and even if I'd pro
Chapter 119Sage's POVDiego carried me to the restroom attached to my ward, and the moment he set me down, his lips crashed on mine, capturing them in a slow, sensual kiss that set shivers running through my body. My breath hitched as the warmth of his touch spread through my body, igniting my entire system.I sighed into his mouth, moving my lips desperately to match his pace. It was a rough and passionate kiss, different from the one we shared moments ago. His hands moved to the small of my back, rubbing his thumb in circles, and slowly, he pulled the knot that held the dress as a piece. I melted against him, moaning in pleasure, everything forgotten as that moment, it was just him and I.We broke from the kiss, both breathless but our bodies were ignited with the primal desire for each other. Diego stared deeply at me, his eyes holding a glint of dark desire as he rid my body of the hospital gown. He dipped his head, and kissed my shoulder blade, trailing up to my neck and chin.
Chapter 118Sage's POVWhen my eyes opened after what I believed to be an hour later, they fell on Kian's burly frame in the middle of the room, and before him was Diego, ruffling his hair.I blinked, my eyes taking in his angry expression as he ordered Kian to find someone. Who was he talking about that made him so angry? Kian looked equally agitated, I could see that with the way his shoulders tensed.What were they talking about?"Diego," I called out almost gagging as the scent of hospital seeped into my system, filling my lungs. Gosh! I can't stand the scent of the hospital anymore. I just want to go home.Diego turned to me and the angry expression on his face earlier wore off, replaced by that of worry as he covered the distance to me. My brows shut up, worry filling my system as I thought of what it could be that had been bothering him."Did we disturb your sleep?" He asked, gently as he took my hand. I motioned to my bed and he nodded in understanding, helping me sit up. I sm
Chapter 117Diego's POVSage's lips were moving but my mind was focused on the way her face was scrunched up in faux annoyance. A small smile twisted my lips, when last had I seen her this close and freely? I'd fucking missed her and heaven knows, I would have lost my mind if she wouldn't have survived this.This time, I wasn't going to let her go no matter how much she objected. But I doubted she would, she had said nothing but smile when I told her that. That fucking smile! It had stirred something within me that I hadn't felt in days. God, whatever she had done to me, I liked it. No, I loved it."Diego!" She snapped, her voice cracked but enough to get me out of the trance she'd trapped me in. I blinked, shaking my head slightly and giving her an inquisitive lookThe frown on her face deepened. "Did you hear what I just said?""No, sweetheart. I heard nothing, can you say that again?" I smirked, raising my brows and she gave me an eye roll that made my heart jump."Stop flirting wi
Chapter 116Sage's POVIt was all a daze.I thought I had heard Diego whispering to me but my brain couldn't process a thing. I only knew that somehow, I was safe and still breathing. Still alive.*****My eyelids felt heavy as I attempted to pull them apart. My whole body felt like I was being held down by weights that kept pulling me down no matter how much I tried breaking free. This left my system numb but for some reason, I kept pushing to open my eyes.And I did.I winced painfully as the bright light penetrated my sour and tired eyes. It was as if someone was pointing a flashlight directly at my face. I snapped my eyes shut, my entire system now adjusting to the environment and before I opened them again, my nose had picked up the strong smell of chlorine and bleach, a typical smell of the hospital.I almost gagged at how strongly it invaded my nose.My blurry gaze ran through the room and then to the IV drip inserted in my hand. My head felt heavy and from it came a pang of pa
Chapter 115Diego's POVAs I sped through the highway, my heart pounded in my chest, and my entire system burned with rage. If anything happened to Sage, I would lose it. It felt as though the car chose to drive at its pace and it was getting on my nerves.It was barely two minutes after the call with Sage, but it felt like an eternity, and all I could do while cursing my luck for not being fast enough was hope. Hope that she had fought Theodore. I had heard it when she gasped out his name. How had he gotten inside? How did he breach all that security I placed around her house?I clenched my jaws and my grip tightened on the wheel as a thought hit me. Could one of my men have betrayed me? I cursed under my breath, punching the steering wheel like it were his face. If it turned out that one of the guards helped in, he would have a companion on his way to hell.My mind reeled as I finally got to the estate, Sage's apartment was located and in a minute, I was pulling over roughly before
Chapter 114Sage's POVMy heart pounded in my chest, fear coursing through my being as I squinted in the direction of the figure to make out who it was. The statue looked like that of a man and, somehow, familiar, but I couldn't place out who it belonged to. However, knowing it was familiar, heightened my fear."W.. who are you?" I asked, taking a step back as I flickered my gaze to my phone on the floor. Diego was still on call and he could help me.The person chuckled and I froze on the spot, eyes widening as recognition flowed in. I opened my mouth to speak but he stepped forward, a predatory grin lingering on his lips as he stared at me.I scrunched my face in annoyance and disbelief, gasping. "Theodore!"He smirked, then picked up my phone, ending the call abruptly. My eyes widened as he tossed the phone across the room. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach when he looked back at me. He seemed different and it was terribly. There was an unhinged look in his eyes, like he could
Chapter 113Diego's POVI watched with an intense stare as one of my men tortured the man who had harmed Violet. His face was bloodied and so was part of his body. My lips twitched, satisfied as his screams of agony cut through the air.Initially, he wanted to play it cool like the sadist he thought he was but he had underestimated my men and their methods. They could break the strongest of men with the cruel way they tortured. Most of them had served in the army while others were the finest retirees from the most dangerous mafia families I had connections with.Most people who knew the kind of men I had hired thought of me as some maniac, hence my widespread reputation of being spineless. It wasn't a lie, but only those who crossed me encountered my wrath. But these men were only part of my crew because of my grandfather's close relationship with the mafia and I'd only salvaged this relationship to my benefit.I narrowed my eyes when the man lost consciousness and hung his head. He h
Chapter 112Sage's POVI spent the rest of the afternoon binging a series I found on TV. After the call with my father, I felt less suffocated and in need of alcohol, so the brandy had been set aside and replaced with four big bags of chips and yogurt.I meant to ditch the brandy after the second glass before the call anyway; that stuff was damn bitter. It made me wonder how Diego managed to drink it.‘Thinking about him again?’ The voice in my head treacherously snarked and I scrunched my face. The thought of him has been crossing my mind sparsely whenever a commercial came up and I was back to seriously feasting on my chips.I found it quite infuriating as I had decided to end things. Thinking about him – his hot and ripped body, lips, hands – everything, would just stick with me then. It was a great deal and it was fun while it lasted. However, despite my decision, I couldn't help the subtle tug in my chest that made me wince occasionally. Coming to that conclusion had been heart-w
Chapter 111Sage's POVStepping into my apartment after a moment of internally moaning over my decision of almost having a man killed, I stopped dead in my tracks, a shudder ripping through me as I gazed around the room, which for some reason felt eerily silent. It was weird as I had left here earlier without a care. Other than that, I have been staying here alone for days, but now, it almost felt like someone was inside the room with me, watching my move, which was quite disturbing.I walked over to the window, and my brows creased when I saw the guards on duty; they all seemed watchful and on alert. I doubt someone could pass them without getting noticed. I was probably being paranoid.Sighing, I returned to the living room, dropped my bag on the chair I kicked off my flats, and padded across the room to the small cellar situated next to the kitchen area. My eyes scanned the scanty rack for the best drink to drown myself in. I usually never drink, the reason why the cellar containe