Page 119 of Hidden Ties

“Wow.” Her eyes widened in surprise.

Glenda gave her a surprised look. “Bree or Livvy didn’t warn you when you started working here?”

She shook her head. “Not a peep.”

Glenda’s head fell back in laughter. “Sage …” Glenda wiped a tear away. “You’re perfect for this job.”

EIGHTEEN

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Leaving the building after work, she made her way to the parking garage. She released a loud sigh in her car before she drove out into the busy afternoon traffic.

As much as she wanted to drive directly home, she needed to stop and pick up groceries. Shopping on the weekends would be ideal, yet she still needed the money from cleaning to keep them afloat.

She promised herself that as soon as she managed to earn a few full-time paychecks from Hollingsworth, she would be able to quit the cleaning jobs. She shook her head at the lie she was telling herself. She had estimated her budget during lunchtime. Money was going out the door almost as soon as she could make it.

She parked at the grocery store and went inside. Pulling up the grocery list, she started at the fruit section then went down each aisle. She decided to splurge on Glory’s favorite ice cream and put it in the cart.

Tired, she checked out, helping the cashier bag the groceries to make it quicker. Then she left the store and pushed the cart to the trunk of her car, thinking ahead to what she could make fordinner that would be quick. Her early mornings were catching up with her.

Shutting the trunk, with one hand still on the cart, she felt a jerking motion as the cart was pushed away.

“Wha—”

A scream rose in her throat as she was slammed into the back of her car. Rough hands twisted one of her hands behind her back while her purse was yanked off her other flailing arm.

“Scream, and I’ll slit your fucking throat!” a harsh voice whispered in her ear.

Biting back her scream, she wildly tried to turn her head to see who was robbing her. A hiss in her ear was the only warning she was given before her hair was yanked back then her forehead was slammed into the rear windshield.

A whimper escaped her at the pain as the watch on her hand was ripped off.

“You fucking move when I let you go, and I’ll shoot your ass.” With another hard shove, Sage felt herself released.

Too terrified to move, she lay limply against the car. Several minutes passed before she had enough courage to raise her head to see a couple walking into the store, staring at her curiously.

“Do you need some help?” the man called out.

“Yes …” Registering her voice was barely above a whisper, she raised it. “Could you please call the police?”

The couple rushed toward her. Dizzy, she reached a hand out to brace herself on the car. Pain shot through her hand, forcing a whimper out of her. Clutching her aching wrist to her chest, she blinked back tears.

“Poor thing.” Concerned, the woman took her by the other arm. “You need to sit down. Where are your car keys?”

“I have no idea.” Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she tried to concentrate on where the keys had been before she was mugged.

“I found them,” the woman exclaimed. “They were on the ground.”

She was helped to the front of the car while the woman’s companion was on the phone with the police, and slid into the driver’s seat.

Kneeling next to her, the woman placed the keys on her lap. “My name is Kris. Can I get you anything?”

“I’m Sage. Thank you for stopping.”

“I wish we had been earlier and would have been able to stop it from happening.”

“I’m glad you weren’t. He threatened me with a knife, and to shoot me.”

“He couldn’t make up his mind?”

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