Surviving the Pain (A Baby Saved Me Series Book 1) (27 page)

“Yeah, I bet him that you’d go talk to her,” he grinned. “I knew I’d win.”

Shaking his head, he couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. “You going back to their house while I go to… Wait, where are you guys even staying?”

Hudson’s head dropped and his face heated. “In that motel on Eighth Street.”

Dread filled his stomach followed quickly by the guilt that his son and the love of his life had to live there. Standing, he pushed Hudson back to the car and got a stern talking to by Everett. Once he finished lecturing him, Sage headed to his truck and drove to the dive they were staying in.

When he arrived, he stepped out of his truck and stared at the number Seven as if it were a foreign object. To be honest, he didn’t know what would happen when he knocked on the door. According to Everett, she truly had no idea that Hudson was doing this. Sage didn’t like it, but he wanted the full story too. So taking one last breath, he walked the short distance to the door and knocked on it.

“Who is it?” Her small, timid voice came from the other side of the door.

One more deep breath and he answered her. “Ember, it’s Sage.”

There was a long silence. So long, that he almost knocked again. But before he could do that, the door opened a little before he was graced with her beautiful face. His heart tightened at the sight of her swollen, bloodshot eyes. He’d never stop loving her, but he may have to learn to live without her.

“Sage?”

“I’ve come to talk.”

“Oh, uh, well…”

Jealousy hit him hard and strong. Before he realized what he was doing, he pushed the door open. A small squeal had left her lips before she fell backwards on the floor. Once he was satisfied that she had no one else in the room, he held out his hand to help her from the floor. Her hesitation had him breaking the silence.

“I’m sorry. It was an accident. I thought you had someone in here.”

She shook her head mutely, but she still didn’t take his hand. His heart stilled in his chest when he saw the fear in her eyes, but deeper than that was the pain and sadness. Sage knew exactly how she felt.

“I’m sorry, really I am. I just want to talk, Ems.” He almost pleaded.

Finally, she took his hand, and he pulled her up. The current that moved from her hand into his body was undeniable, and he sucked in a deep breath. Just that one simple touch brought his whole body alive. Sage was so absorbed in the familiar feeling she filled him with that he almost didn’t see it. His eyes widened and shot up to meet hers.

“You’re pregnant?”

“You knew I was,” she said hesitantly.

Shaking his head, “No, the doctor told me you lost the baby.”

“Damn him, I told him no on that part,” she muttered.

Tentatively, moving his hand back with every inch he moved forward, he touched her small rounded belly. A smile lit his lips and tears filled his eyes. She placed her hand on top of his causing Sage to meet her eyes.

“We’re having twins. I don’t want you to feel pressured to be with me. You can see all your kids whenever you want.”

Sage looked around the room and cringed at the thought of sitting on anything in the room, but still made his way to one of the chairs near the table and sat. He looked back at her as she still stood in the same spot.

“Explain to me what justified you ripping my heart from my chest and stomping on it. Because seriously Ems, I don’t see anything that would justify it.”

“Your parents work for or with – whatever – the Foxes. They believed that you had a will leaving everything to me. So they told me they would kill you, and come after everyone else to get the money you owed them. Apparently, your parents made promises that they couldn’t keep or rather you didn’t keep – in their eyes – and because of that they blamed me.”

“That makes no sense. If there were broken promises then why kill me. Why not make me fulfill them?”

“Apparently it has something to do with that psycho chick after you there for a while. You were to marry her, start fighting for them and after five years they’d kill you and find a new target. From what Rufus found out, they’ve got a new target. But when Rufus told me that we needed to do this, I refused. My heart broke just thinking about the pain you’d be in. But I happened to have left the room then and I watched one of Hudson’s doctors exchange money with who I later found out was Trainor. It was then I realized, we’d never be free to be happy until we did this. So, Hudson and I agreed. We agreed because it was only supposed to be a week at max. But it took longer for them to start sniffing around again. That day that you stormed into Rufus’s office, when he’d called you and told you that you needed to come in… It was because I said I couldn’t do it anymore, neither could Hudson. We wanted to be with you, to be a family again. But everything went as I feared it would. You hated us, and you should have. God,” she breathed. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for agreeing to do this. But it was to save your life so we could get married, have our babies, enjoy Hudson, all of it.”

Sage sat back in the chair dumbfounded. All the information she’d just given him starting to filter through that pain that still lingered in his brain. Closing his eyes, he knew what his heart wanted, and nothing else mattered. There was really no choice at all.

“You hurt me so bad, Ems. You and Hudson were everything great in my life I never thought I deserved and then suddenly you were both gone. My whole world shut down.”

“I’m sorry, Sage, I really am. But if given the same situation and options… I’d make the same choice. You promised me a forever. I’d do anything for that, even if it meant killing myself temporarily – as well as you – it’d be my choice again and again.”

Smirking, he couldn’t stop himself. “There’s my girl.”

That simple statement had them both from their positions and into each other’s arms where they belonged for all of eternity. Sage wasn’t sure what the future would hold, but he knew with Ember and kids by his side, nothing would stop them.

Jada
cringed when she heard the lock on the door. This time wasn’t like last time. This time, something was thrown into the room, and the door quickly shut and locked. For the life of her, she couldn’t let go of hope. She should. No one was even looking for her, she was sure of it. Why would they be? Hudson was run down by Collin and Donna. She wasn’t angry. Actually, she understood completely and knew that this was what they should be doing.

The problem Jada was having was with the fact of the last night that she’d had before being taken by Sage’s parents. She still thought it was a dream and a nightmare rolled in one. Climbing from the small cot that was in her room, she walked over and grabbed the item they threw into the room. It was an envelope of some sort. Opening it, she gasped. There were pictures of her little sister. Sunny was the most brilliant little girl you will ever meet. Sadly, after her parents’ sudden arrest, Jada hadn’t been old enough to care for her, and she lived in a home for special needs. Sunny had Down Syndrome. It wasn’t something that Jada couldn’t have handled, and she never saw her sister as special needs, but the doctors strongly urged Jada – when she did come of age to care for her – that uprooting her from a routine environment would be too detrimental to her. Jada was then left with the realization that she’d never have her sister back. Well, not completely. As often as she could, she went and saw her sister, but it was never enough for Jada. She wanted her with her forever, day in and day out.

In the pictures, she saw Donna and Collin both posing with her. Sunny had the brightest smile on her face and in one almost seemed to be laughing. A piece of paper fell to the floor as she flipped another picture behind the other. Bending she picked it up, she read the words on there.

How much do you value your sister’s life? You’ll be able to prove that point soon enough.

Nothing else was left. Nothing. Jada’s heart pounded in her chest. She needed her family right now. They’d have answers. All of them had always pulled together when the other needed them. If she could only get the hell out of here. Studying the room, a sudden thought occurred to her, and a small smile played on her lips.

Holden
watched as Sage and Ember danced together officially has husband and wife. Grey’s presence was missed, and every single one of them felt it. Ember and her baby bump – as everyone seemed to call it – were so cute on display in her beautiful ivory dress. The wedding wasn’t a big one, but it included all their nearest and dearest, aside from Grey. But even more, the presence that Holden was missing most was Jada. He’d been working extra hard to try and find her, but every place he checked had been a dead end.

Since Holden had heard about Sage’s parents’ involvement with the rival gang of the Tortelli’s, he had nightmares about what could be going on with her. He feared the worst and hoped for the best. What he wanted the most was for her to just show up and fill the room with a light that only she could emit. Yes, Jada was missed. Even more so, she was missed by him.

Mistakes, regrets, missed chances, they all filled the silence at night preventing him from sleeping. One day. He hoped to have the opportunity to try and make all those up to her. One day, he hoped to find what Sage and Ember had. One day…

Please Jada, wherever you are… Hold on. I’ll find you. I promise.

Jagged and Beautiful

A Baby Saved Me series

#2

Blurb:

Jada Hicks has been in love with one of her best friends for a long time. It hadn’t been for lack of trying that they weren’t together now. It’s hard when you fall for a broken man. All he saw were the jagged pieces, when all she could see was the beautiful reflection.

Holden James wanted nothing more than to be with Jada, a woman he loved at first sight, but he couldn’t. Shadows chased him, hunted him. He watched what happened with Sage, he never wanted that for Jada. She deserved better than that, than him.

When fate was at work nothing could stop it. Even though they knew they’d be each other’s downfall, they couldn’t avoid it any longer. What happened when the cards they’d held so close were laid for all to see? Maybe together Jada and Holden could be
Jagged and Beautiful
?

This book is completely out of my comfort zone as far as the writing style. Normally, I write first person. Usually, it flows so much easier for me. This as you could see was definitely not first person. For this leap, I want to thank
Beverley Hollowed
for the encouragement throughout the process. Your comments and even at points begging, helped this book become so much more than just a tester, but it turned into a series I never expected.  Thank you, not only for your help, but for your friendship. Love you beautiful.

Next, I want to thank
Shea Swain
for taking the time to read this and tell me if it is up to standards. Your constant friendship and support has been invaluable. Not to mention the crazy talks and constant laughing at ourselves and each other. Love you gorgeous.

To
K. J. Love
: My soul sister! What can I say? You hold a piece of who I am and who I wish to become in your hands. Your influence and cheering me on have meant to so much to me. But you are more than a supporter. You are part of my family. You always will be no matter how much time passes between chats. I love you so much!

To
Jessa Stephens
: You are a huge part of my life. A first greeting, we hit it off running. The laughter, the tears, the smiles, everything that we’ve shared in such a small amount of time, will always mean so much to me, just as you do. I love you so much beautiful.

To
Krystin Sanchez
: I can’t tell you how much you’ve impacted my life in such a short period of time. We clicked right away and you’ll forever be a part of my heart. Your heart is bigger than many I’ve seen and it shows in all you do. Love you beautiful!

To
Dawn Sullivan
: Girl, you are just incredible, both as an author and a person. You’ve kept me going even when I wanted to stop and made me smile or laugh even when all I could do was cry. One day, I’ll be able to give you one huge hug for everything. I promise to not break every rib when I do. LOL

To
Michelle Abbott
: Your friendship and support in my writing has pushed me further than I ever thought I could reach. Your books have stolen me away from reality so many times. Thank you for your beautiful friend/sistership. Love you!

There are so many more I want to thank, but my mind is drawing blanks on who all to put in here.
Tabatha Washington, Kylie Price, Lexi Buchanan, Madeline Rosenberg, Joanne Swinney, Isa Jones, Kim Brown, Vicky Barber, Ashley Torbeck, Angie Merriam, Kate Stewart, Ava Alexander, Missy Johnson
… and so many more. You know who you are and you know how grateful I am for all you are and what you do. I love you all!

To my
Readers
, I can’t tell you how much your support means to me. Writing has always been a dream for me. With your support, it has come true beyond anything I ever imagined. Thank you so much for staying on the ride with me. Here’s to more rollercoasters. LOL

Sorry to anyone I may have forgotten. It was not done intentionally. I love you all.

Hugs,

PJ