Sage was awoken by the light sounds of snoring and the crisp breeze from an open window as the sun began to rise on what she would describe as a perfect autumn day. Lochlan was fast asleep in the chair his mother had occupied most of the day before and looked mighty uncomfortable.

Not wanting to wake him but desperate to touch him, her fingers slithered through his thick hair as he slept. Soft, spiky strands grazed the top of her hand causing goosebumps to line her flesh. Having fallen asleep so early the night before, she hadn’t been able to see Lochlan when he arrived. Depressing as that may be, she felt far better after such a long and restful sleep. She was beginning to feel human again.

Her wounds were healing, the infection was nearly gone from her body, and Sage was hopeful she would be released later in the morning. Even knowing she didn’t have any worldly possessions or a plan on what to do when she was discharged, she kept her faith that the Lord would take care of her and guide her through the uncertainty.

She was so torn between not wanting to abandon all of her beliefs and needing to rediscover their meaning on her own, without the influence of the people she’d grown up with. Not having to listen to her father preach of only what he believed. Confident that her Lord was waiting with open arms no matter her decision was a comfort Sage intended on indulging in.

One of the first things she wanted to do when she left the hospital was go to mass. The calling she felt deep in her bones couldn’t be ignored now that she was on the mend. Turning back to look at a sleeping Lochlan, she knew he was a major reason for it coming back to her. Because, even though her family betrayed her on the deepest of levels, he helped to restore her faith. Due to his compassion and empathy, Sage was able to break through all the hurt and pain. She was able to move forward and accept that everything happens for a reason, and she hoped he was her reason.

Giving into temptation again, Sage leaned forward, and her fingers drifted amidst the bristly strands of his hair. Softer than she had previously imagined as she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of him between her fingers.

His whispered, “Angel,” made her jump and squeal from the sudden move.

“You scared me.”

He grinned, likely because her fingers were still playing with his hair. “Tried not to.” His yawn was endearing as he attempted to hide the sleep from his eyes. The stubble on his cheek was rough as her fingers slid down, free of his hair. “Have you been awake long? Are you hungry?”

Before she could answer, there was a light knock followed by an orderly bringing in her breakfast. After placing the tray on the table, the woman left with a nod.

“Call, and you shall receive.” Loch laughed pulling the lid off the hot plate. “Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit, and juice. What would m’lady like to try first?” Even tired from an uncomfortable sleep, he always put her first. What more could she really ask for?

“Just the juice, please.” He gave her a funny look as he opened the container and passed it to her along with a slice of toast.

“Sorry, Angel, you need your strength.”

“Thank you.” Her words were soft as he sat and watched her. “You could have the rest if you want.” She offered.

“Hospital food?” He raised a brow. “I think I’ll pass.” After a beat, he continued. “So should you. I’m going to find someone to see when you get to leave.” As he stood to go, his lips grazed her cheek briefly before walking out.

He couldn’t possibly know how every touch affected her. Her heart stuttered with each press of his lips, no matter how soft on her skin. Loch left her speechless with his selfless caring. She wasn’t so naïve she didn’t believe that, eventually, he would expect things in return. Sage also didn’t believe he would pressure her before she was ready.

The toast and juice he’d pushed on her were gone before long, and she was left sitting alone, waiting for him to come for her again.

The pure anticipation of Lochlan walking through the door was just enough to get her through the toughest of times. While she’d tried extremely hard not to be some needy, clingy woman, he’d made it impossible not to be. He accepted each outcry for comfort, encouraged her to lean on him when she needed a warm shoulder. She was at a point where not seeing him at the beginning and end of each day would be next to impossible.

Hearing his voice coming closer, she welcomed his presence again. “Yeah, fine, Mac. I’ll be there.” He didn’t sound happy as he hung up the phone coming through the door.

“Is everything alright?” The stress in her voice couldn’t be hidden.

Loch was at her side immediately. “It’s fine. I have to go into the shop for an hour or so. That customer that didn’t show up yesterday is coming in for an update on his car, and since I’m the one working on it, I need to be there.” He sounded annoyed.

“Okay.” She couldn’t protest when it was his career.

“Doc’s coming in here in a few minutes to give you some information. I’ll wait until after, then head to the shop, and be back to pick you up in time for release around lunch, okay?”

“It’s fine, Lochlan, really.” She tried to smile to reassure him, but she was certain it didn’t reach her eyes.

“You break my heart, Sage.” Pulling her forward, he placed a gentle lingering kiss on her lips. Not giving her time to ponder his confusing statement before there was another knock on the door and someone else was entering the room.

“Miss Marlowe!” The older man greeted boisterously. “I hear you’re ready to get out of here?”

“Yes, sir, I am.” Loch was holding her hand as the new doctor walked closer. She couldn’t help her reaction. The tensing of her muscles, the shaking of her limbs, the excessive pounding in her heart, she was helpless to stop any of it. Thankfully, Loch understood it all and squeezed her fingers for support.

“Everything’s looking good. No more reactions to the antibiotics or painkillers. I’d like to run more blood tests just to clear you of everything, and then, you’ll be free to go home around lunch. Sound fair?” He finally looked up, and she didn’t like what she saw in his gaze.

While his smile may be welcoming, his eyes were ruthless. She’d seen that look every time Morgan had his attention on her.

It was the look of a predator.

* * *

Loch had been reluctant to leave Sage after her blood was drawn. From the moment the doctor walked into her room, she had grown quiet, withdrawn in a way he hadn’t seen since the first couple of days. After another angry phone call from Nox, he’d been forced to leave.

Driving down Main Street, the jewelry store caught his eye, and he suddenly remembered the gift he’d forgotten to give Sage for her birthday. He’d wanted to it to be special for her. With her discharge from the hospital looming, Loch knew he could take her out on a real date, show her around, and let her explore. He’d give her a night to remember.

Parking his car, the customer who started out as a pretty good guy then turned into a complete dick was waiting in the parking lot leaning against his oversized truck. Elianna had joked that he was overcompensating for something with it. He couldn’t agree anymore.

“Good morning, Mr. Shultz,” he greeted with a forced smile.

“Well, it’s about time. I thought you’d be done by now.”

“No sir, we’re right on schedule.”

Opening the front door, Soph was waiting with her own strained look. “I was hoping to have it back by now. There’s a car show over in Denver I’d like to attend this weekend.” The man was oblivious to the tension around him.

“The only thing left for me to do is put the drawing on the hood of the car and paint it,” Loch explained as the man followed him through to the back.

As they stopped in front of his Fairlane, the man had a look of astonishment on his face. Almost like he expected Loch to be lying to him about the progress of the car. “Well, I’ll be,” he muttered. “Just the dragon left to put on, huh?”

Loch didn’t like his tone. “Yes, sir. Asher will be doing that later this afternoon.”

“I’d like it back tomorrow.” His words didn’t shock Loch in the least.

“Not possible. Not if you want the image to dry properly. I have to hand sketch this onto the hood. It’s too large for our printer.”

“You have all day to do it. I’m sure it can be done.”

Unable to lie, Loch agreed. “It’s possible, but I won’t be here this afternoon.” He refused to give the man any information about Sage.

“I’m paying you for a job, son. You’ll get it done for tomorrow.”

“No, sir, I won’t.” Sage was a hell of a lot more important than this egotistical asshole.

The man’s face was turning read as a tomato as Nox and Asher walked up to them, admiring the job Loch had done on the vehicle in the few months he’d had his hands on it.

“Looks good, Loch.” Nox patted his back once.

“Better than when it came in, amigo,” Asher laughed.

“Look!” Mr. Shultz yelled. “I want it done tomorrow, or I’m not paying.”

Nox stood straight at that. “Excuse me, sir?” His brother’s voice was cold as ice.

“He admitted to being able to finish up the drawing today but refuses to do so because he’s busy this afternoon. I’ve contracted this to be done; it’s my money. It should be done when I want it.” He sounded like a petulant child.

“Is he past his original estimated date?” Nox asked the man.

“Well, no.”

“Then what’s the problem? Loch has been working tirelessly on this beauty for months. Trust me when I say, you can’t rush perfection.” The man was wavering. “Now, if you’d like to take it without that last piece of artwork on the hood that you specifically came to us for, by all means, go ahead into the front and Sophia will be happy to settle your bill now.”

The asshole was actually pondering it. “Fine. But I’ll be here at four sharp in two days to pick it up, and it had better be ready.”

“It will be,” Loch confirmed with a smirk.

The man walked out with a huff. “Dios, he’s like a spoiled niño.” Asher walked away shaking his head at a grown-ass man throwing a hissy fit.

“He’s not wrong,” Nox muttered. “Sage being discharged today?”

“Yeah. I think she’s nervous, too,” Loch confided.

“Why do you say that?”

“She was acting funny before I left. I don’t blame her. She’s being thrust into a world she isn’t familiar with and has to navigate a life she likely didn’t know she was going to be given.”

Whistling, Nox laughed. “Didn’t know you ran so deep, kid.” Loch’s lips twisted at his brother’s light teasing. “She still going to Ma’s?”

“Yeah, Ma’s got my old room ready for her. Soph and Hayes brought her some clothes over yesterday.” He was quiet for a moment before asking what he was most afraid of. “What if she decides this isn’t the world for her? What if she wants to go back?”

“You’ve always been a sensitive bastard, Loch.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, kid, I mean it. You’ve been more in tune with the world, Ma, everything, since the day you were born. You know what Ma said when she brought you home?”

“Great, another boy?” He was only half kidding.

“Shut up you idiot. Levi and I were assholes the day you came home. Jealous and wanting Ma and Pop’s attention. A quick whack on the ass had us both settling down right quick. Ma told us that when we were grown, we’d learn to appreciate each other. Stick up for one another. We did all that before any of us hit our teens. But she used to say that Loch is the one who we’ll have to watch for. He’ll be the one that falls the hardest and fights the most. You know why?”

“No.”

“Cause from the minute you came screaming into the fucking world—a thorn in my side—you were quiet, you watched and waited for everything. Until now, until Sage, you’ve not once had a passion as fierce as this. Pop knew you’d find a complicated girl, and Loch, you’ve found beyond complicated and dived straight into crazytown with her family.”

“That doesn’t really help,” Loch muttered.

Smacking the back of his head, Nox growled, “Stop overthinking it and fucking feel, Loch. Go with that.”

Listening to his brother, leading with his instincts, Loch knew he had to stop overanalyzing what he felt and wanted with Sage. From the very beginning, their lives had been set in stone. Their fates were decided. All that was left to do was make the choice to accept it.