Page 10 of Word to the Wise

Sage doesn’t answer, but he at least meets my gaze with my question, so I take that as ayes.

“Reed’s tough as fucking nails. She kept her shit on lockdown for a reason. She didn’t want you to see it because then she’d have to face it herself. I don’t think she was ready to do that yet.”

“Well, she better be ready now. Because I’m going to skin that piece of shit when I get the chance.”

“Got your guys prepping the horse stalls?” I hitch an eyebrow.

Even though I’ve kept my distance from Sage’s club, I’ve heard enough to guess what they use the horse stalls for, given they don’t actually have horses.

Sage plants his hands on the counter. “Wish it was that simple.”

“Why isn’t it?”

It’s not like Sage hasn’t made guys suffer for less than hurting his sister.

“Carter Connors is why not. He’s a piece of work—and he’s loaded. He has money, connections, bodyguards. He’s not the kind of guy who could disappear without it going unnoticed. And the second he realizes she came here, he’ll be surrounded by security just to make sure the club can’t get close.”

“Classy fucker.” I’d know, since I come from a bloodline of men too powerful to touch, and they know it.

“The worst of them.” Sage nods. “But none of that means he’s getting away with this.”

Sage has two sides to him. For the most part, he’s laid-back. He likes to party and have fun. He’s carefree and people get along with him. But there’s another side I’ve only seen glimpses of. A side that comes out when he’s protecting those he cares about. And as his eyes darken, I sense that coming out now.

Just like I feel my own demons raging to the surface.

There’s a reason I don’t form attachments, and it’s the same reason I should walk away now. But when I blink, I see Reed’s brown eyes and her bruised sockets. I see her lip trembling, blood beading down it.

No one’s going to do that to her again.

I’ll help Sage even if it makes me the man I tried to leave behind when I came to Los Angeles.

Sage and I don’t have much in common outside of tattooing, but for the first time since I met him, I see a little of myself in him.

I’ve been there.

I can still hear her screaming from the back of my mind.

“Well, count me in if you need anything.”

“I’ll figure it out.” Sage shakes his head like he’s trying to break free of whatever image just popped up in his mind. “Until then, I need to get a room ready at the house.”

“Reed’s fine staying here.” The thought of her going anywhere else hurts, like taking nails to my ribs, because I’m losing control, and at least if she’s here, I know she’s safe. “It’s just me and two empty rooms. I’ve got the space.”

“Mason—”

“It’s a place to stay,” I cut him off. “And it’s familiar for her. She needs a little of that right now.”

And I need her here, where I can look out for her.

Sage sighs, wiping his palm down his face. “I know. Fuck, sorry. I’m just on edge with all this shit. I always had this bad feeling about Carter, but I didn’t think he was beating her.”

The last words come out cracked, showing me a glimpse of the side of Sage that Lyla told me existed, even if I’ve never seen it.

“Fuck.” Sage starts pacing the room. “Fine, I need to get back to Lyla tonight. But seriously, Mason, if she’s staying here, you need to be glued to your fucking phone. I’m trusting you with my sister.”

“I’m aware.”

“Partying. Hookups.”