Sage
“I’m so excited, girls! I’m getting married!” Sophia throws her package-laden hands up in the air and waves them around excitement. I smile, ducking her swinging bags to avoid getting knocked unconscious, and Maleah makes a whooping sound jumping up and down excitedly. Thankfully, none of them notice my sad visage because they’re just as excited to be here. Ivy chuckles, and Santana gazes around the dress shop with equal parts fascination and horror. We’re all here to pick our bridesmaid’s dresses.
Taking the lead to speed things up a bit, I step in the middle of the carpeted floor and gesture around the room. “Okay, ladies, we decided that the color is going to be any color we want unless Sophia wants emerald to match Micah’s beautiful eyes,” I say, fluttering my lashes with a dramatic sigh.
Sophia rolls her eyes and pinches my arm. “Shut it, another blon
Chapter 11: Things are not always what they seemPriest I watch as Sage walks off with Hunter. Her face is pale and haunted. And it’s all my fault. But I can’t think about that right now. Not when these two men seemed to have an agenda. It doesn’t take me long to get to my place. Dragon is already there waiting for me with my prisoner. The man is handcuffed to a single chair in an insulated supply room I use to keep hazardous materials. He’s begging Dragon to let him go. Too bad that he doesn’t know that Dragon is the least sympathetic person that he’ll ever meet. Dragon would be more likely to cut his throat than let him go.Stepping completely into the room, I close the door behind me and stand next to Dragon. The man’s face loses all color when he sees me. His face is still bloody, and his clothes are soiled and torn from our scuffle earl
Chapter 12: Nothing heals a broken heartSage I’ve never considered this, but there must be millions of people in the world who are going through heartbreak. Yet, the world doesn’t stop for them. No, the world just keeps spinning. The brokenhearted still have to get up in the morning to go to work and pay their bills.“Hey, Sweet, how’s it going in here?” Tariq’s voice interrupts my musings. He’s standing in the middle of his office’s doorway, his brow quirked in question. Running my gaze around the office, I smile. The office is decorated with Ivory colored walls, a small white desk, dark wooden floors, a throw rug, and a fine cream-colored sofa with two side chairs. “It’s perfect, Tariq. Thank you for letting me use this office.”Tariq shrugs. “I like having you here.” He mutters with a smoldering smile. Returning his smile, I wrap my
PriestStepping out of Sage’s room, I lean my back on the doorway and let out a deep breath. The woman is an incredible temptation. Having her body against mine earlier and seeing her with Connor and Tariq has taken me beyond my endurance limit. I don’t even know how I managed not to throw her down on the bed and fuck her brains out.It takes me a couple of seconds to calm my body down and head to the kitchen. Sage’s apartment is surprisingly roomy. The whole place is an open concept with exposed brick and cream-colored furniture. Looking through her cabinets, I take some utensils and begin to cook.Unfortunately, my relaxed state only lasts until I hear the sound of the shower running. My imagination is in overdrive at the thought of her perfect naked body sliding into the shower. Every curve of her body is recorded in my mind. I remember the taste of her stiff nipples, the concave swell of her navel, and the weight of her firm breasts against
Sage It’s strange how easily we both fall into each other’s arms. I didn’t expect that he’d knock on my door, lay down on my bed and hold me all night. Right now, the sun’s early light is reflecting from my sheer bedroom curtains, creating a sensual atmosphere over our nearly naked bodies. Priest is lying on his side, his head next to mine on the pillow, and his hand on my waist. His golden skin looks tempting beneath the sun’s glow, his low-rise jeans ride down the arches of his waist into the v or his pelvis, and his muscular thighs strain under the snug fit of his jeans. Running my gaze across his six-pack abs, I map out the contours of his muscled chest and arms until my eyes fall on his angelic face. He looks like a living, breathing statue, with his pouty lips, tousled hair, strong scruffy jaw, and long lashes.I’ve had fantasies about this man since the moment we’v
Priest I’ve never slept with a woman before. Actually... let me clarify what I just said. I’ve had sex with women, but I’ve never had one sleep in my bed before, other than Sage. From the first moment she came to my home, I found it a little disconcerting to wake up with her in my arms. However, it’s not a horrible experience. It’s actually the complete opposite. Yesterday was a turning point for us. Not because of the sex, which is mind-blowing, but because I realized that letting her go is not an option. Up until I saw her with Connor, I fooled myself into thinking that what we did was just sex. But no one has ever made me feel this connection that I feel with her. I’ve also come to the realization that I’ve punished myself for what happened to my brother enough. I need to let him go and live my life─ perhaps fall in love.However, I’m not sure if I’m ready to discuss
Sage“Ask him about Corbin...” A muted voice comes from the earpiece of my phone then hangs up. For the past few days, I’ve gotten the same phone call. It’s freaky, and I don’t know what to do with it. I would tell Aidan, but everything has been so perfect lately that I don’t want anything interfering with our bubble of happiness. I don’t want stupid, cryptic messages to ruin our serenity. But I will admit I’m dying to know who Corbin is.It’s late in the afternoon when I head toward Aidan’s office. Other than the mysterious phone calls, I’ve been busy with work. Most of my friends and Aidan’s have been here throughout the day, except for Sophia and Micah, who are on their honeymoon. I even spoke to my mom. I didn’t tell her about Aidan, though. Not because I don’t want to, but because I want to tell her in person and introduce them.I’m halfway up the stairs when Mal stops
Priest Sage’s hand settles against my chest as each button reveals a sliver of olive skin. My chest tingles with every touch of her fingers, and my stomach contracts when she pulls the collar back to slide the shirt off my shoulders. She gasps in pleasure when she reveals my powerful chest and ridged stomach. To my utter delight, she leans close and kisses her way down my jaw, neck, and chest. Savoring her touch, I slip off my shirt and pull her naked chest against mine. I swallow a groan when the soft buds of her nipples rub enticingly across my coiled stomach. Wanting to feel more of her naked body, I slide my hands down to her rounded bottom and lift her higher to rub her soft folds against my hard cock.Pleasure zings through my body as she grinds her hips against mine and arches her back for a deeper contact. Our mouths meet again, nipping and sucking wildly. We both fall back onto the bed. Her legs wrap around my waist w
Sage“I don’t know how you can be so calm while our men go out and kill someone?” I ask Mal.Right now, we’re all in Aidan’s kitchen drinking wine. I’m sitting in one of the island stools, and Stryker and Mal are sitting in the informal dining room discussing birthday cake designs for his two daughters. Hearing the frustration in my voice, they both turn to me and sigh.“Chill, girl, they’ll be fine,” Mal mutters evenly.Stryker nods. “They’ll be okay, Sage. Remember, this is not the first time they do this. Just relax.” Mal rises from her seat and settles a wine glass in front of me. “Have a drink. You’re wound tighter than a clock.” Sighing in frustration, I grab all of my mail and gesture to the top of the stairs. “You’re right. I’m going upstairs to sort through this mail and file them.”Mal places her hand on her hip
Epilogue- SageIt’s my birthday today, and I’ve never been so happy. I have the man that I love next to me, my friends and my mom. Maleah made this gorgeous cake decorated with edible pearls and spun sugar diamonds that everyone tore through. Sophia gave me season tickets to several Broadway shows, Santana gave me a gorgeous Pandora bracelet, Jade bought me tickets to the Ballet, and Ivy gave me strippersize lessons. I will never forget the look on Aidan’s face when we explained what it was.Connor gave me a calendar with dates marked for us to sing Karaoke together, and Corbin gave me a pair of rose-gold headphones and an album with pictures of Aidan when he was a boy. Tariq’s mother helped him compile it. He looks so much like what I imagine Aidan looked like as a teenager.Standing in the middle of the dance floor, our arms wrapped around each other, I pull Aidan close and whisper, “Thank you for the surprise party. I love it.&rd
Chapter 23: Where I belongAidan/ Priest“These are the last of the boxes.” Connor groans out as he, Tariq, and Corbin rest Sage’s boxes on the living room floor. After nearly two months of being together, I convinced Sage to move in with me. To my surprise, she and Corbin hit it off. The little shit has a crush on her. I have to say it’s odd to see a teenage version of me hit on my woman. Sage thinks it’s adorable. Tariq, Corbin, and I made it a habit of hanging out and having family time together. The kid soaks it up.Unlike Hunter, Casper and Smiley’s body was not handled by the Confradia. After Stryker had called in their deaths, the police picked their bodies up and took them to a morgue. Their deaths were ruled as homicides, no questions asked.Jaxon gave Connor Hunter’s position as my head tech. It was a bit jarring, but Connor was the best option since I know him so well. Unfortunately, Hunter’s deat
SageIt’s a miserable rainy day. Completely appropriate to the sadness we are all experiencing from our loss. We’re all standing beside Hunter’s grave as his casket is lowered into the ground.Maleah clings to her mother’s arm, tears streaming down her face as silent sobs wrack her chest. I close my eyes as the rain pelts down around my umbrella, then open them and gaze around the rest of the crowd. Aidan stands across from me, his mouth tight as he gazes down at the casket with grim concentration.Stryker, Connor, Gideon, Declan, and Micah are standing beside him, wearing equally stoic expressions.Behind them are Dragon, Heathen, and Phantom. They look like a large wall of masculine perfection.The ladies and I decided to give them their space as they mourned one of their own. Ivy is the only one absent since she had some family problems to take care of. But she did contact us and expressed her deepest sympathies.A
PriestI’ve always loved my brother. I remember how small he was when my parents first brought him home. He’d follow Tariq and me around like a puppy when we were boys. It wasn’t until I came home from the Navy that everything began to change. It was then that I realized that I couldn’t trust those closest to me. The military was my escape, and the Confradia was my new family. Unfortunately, I didn’t trust Sage, and now I’m about to lose her because of my stupidity.The SUV rumbles down the road with a silent intent. Everyone in the vehicle is sitting quietly. We lost one of our men today. Even Phantom, who wasn’t much of a fan of Hunter, seems grim. We received a call from the Confradia with updates earlier. They’re doing an extensive search for Hunter’s remains as we make our way to the bridge. A small part of me hopes that they find him alive and passed out in the grass somewhere. However, from the amount of bloo
Sage“So, you’re the one my brother is in love with?” A soft voice growls out from behind my shoulder. I try to turn and face him, but it’s hard to do when there’s a gun pointed at my head. After the man had taken me from the lot, he and his men drove us to an abandoned utility room located inside the Brooklyn Bridge’s columns. The room is dark and dusty, with a metal desk that looks like it’s from the 1950s and a boarded-up window that only lets in a single sliver of light between its cracks. Once we got here, he dragged me up the column’s metal steps and strapped me into an old rusty chair.Twisting as best as I can, I turn back and come face-to-face with a man who looks a lot like my Aidan. However, unlike Aidan, this man has dark eyes, a boyish face, and a sallow complexion. He’s not as perfect as Aidan, with his alluring masculine beauty.“Are you Aidan’s brother?” I mutter hoarsely.
Priest/ Aidan“What the fuck, Priest? How could you do that to her?” Stryker growls out in bewilderment. Pacing across the floor, I sift my fingers through my hair and take a few deep breaths. “She had me investigated Stryker. She fucking knows about Corbin and Tanya!”Stryker holds up his arms in a calming nature. “Just think about this, Priest. Why would she do that, and how would she be able to do it?” I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Look at the file!” I gesture to the papers strewn haphazardly across the floor.Stryker picks up the papers and gives me an intent look. “It makes no sense, man. Even if she knew your name, she wouldn’t have a reason to investigate you. The woman is in love with you.”I shake my head. “I don’t know, but the proof is there.”Stryker thinks things through then looks back at me. “This is not right. First of all, why wou
Sage“I don’t know how you can be so calm while our men go out and kill someone?” I ask Mal.Right now, we’re all in Aidan’s kitchen drinking wine. I’m sitting in one of the island stools, and Stryker and Mal are sitting in the informal dining room discussing birthday cake designs for his two daughters. Hearing the frustration in my voice, they both turn to me and sigh.“Chill, girl, they’ll be fine,” Mal mutters evenly.Stryker nods. “They’ll be okay, Sage. Remember, this is not the first time they do this. Just relax.” Mal rises from her seat and settles a wine glass in front of me. “Have a drink. You’re wound tighter than a clock.” Sighing in frustration, I grab all of my mail and gesture to the top of the stairs. “You’re right. I’m going upstairs to sort through this mail and file them.”Mal places her hand on her hip
Priest Sage’s hand settles against my chest as each button reveals a sliver of olive skin. My chest tingles with every touch of her fingers, and my stomach contracts when she pulls the collar back to slide the shirt off my shoulders. She gasps in pleasure when she reveals my powerful chest and ridged stomach. To my utter delight, she leans close and kisses her way down my jaw, neck, and chest. Savoring her touch, I slip off my shirt and pull her naked chest against mine. I swallow a groan when the soft buds of her nipples rub enticingly across my coiled stomach. Wanting to feel more of her naked body, I slide my hands down to her rounded bottom and lift her higher to rub her soft folds against my hard cock.Pleasure zings through my body as she grinds her hips against mine and arches her back for a deeper contact. Our mouths meet again, nipping and sucking wildly. We both fall back onto the bed. Her legs wrap around my waist w
Sage“Ask him about Corbin...” A muted voice comes from the earpiece of my phone then hangs up. For the past few days, I’ve gotten the same phone call. It’s freaky, and I don’t know what to do with it. I would tell Aidan, but everything has been so perfect lately that I don’t want anything interfering with our bubble of happiness. I don’t want stupid, cryptic messages to ruin our serenity. But I will admit I’m dying to know who Corbin is.It’s late in the afternoon when I head toward Aidan’s office. Other than the mysterious phone calls, I’ve been busy with work. Most of my friends and Aidan’s have been here throughout the day, except for Sophia and Micah, who are on their honeymoon. I even spoke to my mom. I didn’t tell her about Aidan, though. Not because I don’t want to, but because I want to tell her in person and introduce them.I’m halfway up the stairs when Mal stops