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Sage closed the door in Dante’s face again and against every instinct, he turned away.
“Crazy-ass bitch!” he muttered as he walked back down her steps and onto the gravel driveway.
For the first time in five years, Dante was unsure about his president’s decision.
Either Sage was going to be of use to the Hellraisers crew, or she was going to bring a whole shitload of trouble to their doorstep.
Only time would tell.
Dante’s churning gut already knew the answer.
8
SAGE
What does one wear to meet the president of an outlaw biker crew in a deserted mine on the outskirts of town?
Sage stared into her closet as she thought about her former life and what her peers might think of her in this situation.
They’d be pissing their pants right about now.
But not Sage.
The death of her parents and then her sister changed her forever. It left a deep scar that never healed and at the same time, gave her strength she never knew existed.
She hadn’t lied to Dante. She was willing to lay down her own life to find her sister’s killer. Maybe that was crazy to some people, but not to her. At least if she left this earth, she’d be doing it on her terms and doing what was right.
Guilt also played a part in fuelling her. Sage realized, in hindsight, that she should’ve asked Rosemary more questions. Made more of an effort to get her to open up about what was really going on in her life.
But it was too late.
Too late to save Rosemary. But not too late to do what was right by her.
Sage threw on her best black jeans, a turtleneck sweater, and a leather jacket. Evenings were cool at this time of year in Alberta. Much chillier than back in B.C. But thankfully, not as damp. Sill, Sage always ran cold and decided to throw on a wool knit beanie and a pair of leather gloves.
Grabbing her phone, she was reminded about Dante and his appearance earlier.
The man was a strange mix of charm, ego, grumpiness, and chauvinism. Not that he intimidated Sage in any way. Still, she couldn’t deny that the man had a powerful presence. One that was difficult to ignore.
Focus on your objective.
It was the president she needed. If she could gain Gage’s trust, she was halfway to her goal.
She knew it would be an uphill battle. Her research included lots of information about biker crews and they were almost always closed off to outsiders. They didn’t like anyone nosing around their business.
Sage didn’t care what illegal things they were up to. As long as they served her purpose, she would use them and let them think they were using her.
Locking up her house, she hopped in her SUV and sped down the driveway.
The sky was hazy and the smell of burning ash got more intense the closer she got to town. As she drove along Main Street, the charred remains of the buildings were a stark reminder of what was at stake. These bikers did not fuck around. The talk of the town was the confirmed arson but the who and why was still unclear. Many people suggested the Hellraisers did it themselves to collect the insurance money. Others suggested another club and the fear that a biker war was about to erupt.
Too late…
She drove past what used to be Bikes and Brews, then the body shop. Both were nothing but rubble.
She continued her drive and exited onto route four. Five minutes later, she reached the quarry.
They used to mine coal in these parts, but according to her friend Jim, the quarry had been closed for well over five years. Sage didn’t know much about mining, but she did know that the closure forever changed Longford. Once a bustling town, the population dropped by half after the end of the mining operations. Small towns still relied on natural resources and Longford was no different.
