Page 83 of Sage Haven
Lucas Renner.
One of Ali Parrish’s most loyal men. And exactly the kind of monster I’d made it my mission to destroy.
A serial rapist, trafficker, and dealer of broken souls.
He operated under the delusion that his money made him untouchable. That power meant no one would ever come for him.
He was wrong.
Because tonight, he was mine.
I tracked him from the shadows as he prowled the edge of the floor, his movements slow and predatory. His gaze slid over the crowd with clinical precision, stripping women bare with a glance. I could practically hear the gears grinding in his skull as he calculated value.
How much? How easy? How fast?
He was choosing and then his attention snapped to something or perhaps, someone.
And my stomach dropped as I followed his vision.
Sage.
She was standing under the edge of the stage lights, completely unaware. Her green eyes sparkled, catching the gleam of the overhead lighting. Even in the dimness, she seemed to glow, radiating a light to her that was untouched and unclaimed.
The kind of light men like Renner sought to snuff out.
I went still.
The earpiece flared again. Castor’s voice, sharper this time, “Reich, we’ve got a problem. Sam’s here. And she’s with Sage.”
“I know.” I stated as I felt my teeth grind together. “Lucas is moving toward her.”
There was a pause on the other end. Tension bled through the silence.
Lucas Renner never worked alone, and yet, tonight, there was no entourage. No backup. Just him.
Something about that set my nerves on edge.
This wasn’t standard procedure but there wasn’t time to analyze it.
So, I made the call.
“Castor.” My voice was ice. Controlled. “Use the vial on Sage. Get her out of here. Take her to the house. Lock her in the pit until I get back.”
Silence.
I could feel his hesitation radiating through the connection.
“Reich…” His tone was lower now. Heavy. Uncertain.
“This is a change of plans,” I said, sharper. “Do as I say.”
Another beat of hesitation, then he moved.
I tracked him with my eyes as he crossed the floor, not expecting anything to interfere with his plans.
But then Lucas faltered, thrown for half a second as his mark was plucked from under his nose.
He turned, teeth bared and found me.
