SAGE (11 page)

“Ramsey…” 

I kissed her before she could finish her sentence.

She responded with raw emotion.

She wanted me to know how she felt.

I stared down into those soft brown eyes.

I didn’t want the thrill anymore.

She was all I needed.

She walked to the french doors and opened them.

The soft light from the atrium filled the room.

She stepped out into the warm glow.

She leaned against the wrought iron rail.

I went out on the balcony and stood beside her. The palm trees had bright white lights, the pathways were lit and the gardens were amazing. She took in the beauty of the atrium and spoke in a hushed whisper.

“This is what it’s about…”

Our silence was filled with hope.

Her eyes watered.

She gave me a smile that made my heart ache.

She turned around and went inside.

I wanted this with her.

I went in and Sage waited naked.

My eyes filled with lust as I traced her curves.

“Come to me.” Her eyes sparkled.

I stepped out of my boots and walked to her.  

I let her take my clothes off.

I adored her with her hands until she purred.

I gave her a rough kiss.

She grabbed a fistful of my hair.

I gripped her ass and we tumbled into bed.  . 

She bit my lip and arched against me. 

She knew what that did to me.

I touched her there.

She was so damn wet.

I caressed her. 

She purred and her kisses were softer.

Her whisper was low and raspy.

She held my shoulders.

I flipped with her in my arms.

I positioned her over me.

Her gaze was magnetic.

I could feel how much she wanted me.

She moaned as she bounced down.

Sage was my heaven.  

I fell into an emotional space with her.

She rode me hard.

I loved her harder.

She was all I would ever need.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SAGE

Georgia- Bank #2

We made good memories in Nashville. Our cut from the last bank was $282,000. Ramsey wasn’t inside the old vault long but said he packed almost a million. He didn’t talk much about his past. I asked him once. He said he got things done. Brian told me Ramsey was the best. I asked him “with what.” Brian said “with everything.” It was years, night jobs, and fast rides later. I know what Brian meant- Ramsey did it all.

I walked out of the road side store.

Billy was on the ground with a mouth full of dirt.

“Hi Sweetheart.”

Ramsey slid off the car and grabbed the groceries.

“What happened?”

I followed him to the trunk.

“Scott told Billy he could drive.” 

“What! Hell no!”

“Darlin, I wouldn’t let it happen.” 

Ramsey put the bags in the trunk.

“Billy tried Adam out.” 

His laughter made me smile.

I couldn’t do this without him. 

Ramsey closed the trunk. 

“We’ll do it nice and easy.”

I nodded and then glanced at Billy.

He got up from the ground.

A different working girl was babying him up. 

I shook my head. 

Adam watched Billy.

He was the driver from last week.

He was good and we need him. 

Ramsey got in the car and left.

I got into the truck with Adam. 

We followed him to the checkpoint.  

Ramsey parked the car out of sight.

I opened the truck door and he slid in next to me.

The truck was a luxury vehicle.

I thought it would draw attention.

Tinted windows, expensive. 

Ramsey said it wouldn’t.

Scott and Mitch pulled up minutes late.

Ramsey shook his head.

This time, Adam would leave on time.

We drove to the location. 

The bank was an old brick building.

It sat at an odd angle near a busy intersection.

We had to get in and out.

I went over the numbers in my mind.

Ramsey was in his calm.

He would set the tone for me.

I adjusted the backpack and sat in silence.

“We’re two minutes out.” Adam said. 

I checked the ski mask.

I made sure my hair was secure underneath.

I put my head back and closed my eyes. 

I kept my breathing nice and level. 

I would do it like I practiced it. 

Nice and Easy. 

I heard Adam call the time.  

Ramsey was still relaxed. 

The truck coasted to a stop. 

I felt Ramsey shift.

He was out and I came out behind him.

We rushed inside.

I was at the plexi- glass boots.

Mitch and Scott were in.

They locked the bank doors behind them. 

Scott went for the bank manager.

Mitch would secure the lobby.

The clerks in the plexi glass wouldn’t open the door.

We didn’t need them to. 

I touched my ear piece.

Adam said the call came across the scanner.

Scott bought the bank manager up front.

His shirt was ripped.

Damn it Scott. 

The man put his badge to the security door.

Ramsey went inside with the clerks.  

Mitch watched the people in the lobby.

Scott would be with me and the bank manager.

We went into the safety deposit area. 

I found the first box.

I gave the bank manager the second number.

I glanced at my watch.

I had two minutes and twenty seconds. 

I worked the lock quick.

The bank manager tried to say he didn’t have keys.

Scott hit him in the face.

I shoved Scott.

I told the manager to pull the boxes. 

I gave him the next number.

I flipped out my tool kit and went to work. 

Ten seconds later I heard it.

I nodded at Scott.

We turned the small metal pins at the same time.

The locks popped.

I moved to the next one.

Scott dumped the contents into his bag.

The manager pulled the other boxes.

I repeated the process.

I was on the last box and out of time.

I rushed to get it done. It didn’t click.

We were at the three minute mark when it popped.

I grabbed my kit and ran out.

Scott had to empty the box.

He roughed up the manager.

It cut ten seconds of time I needed.

I heard the sirens.

I ran through the lobby area.

I didn’t break my sprint.

I wouldn’t use the front doors.

I ran down the hall.

Ramsey was there. 

He pushed the security door.

The alarm sounded.

Adam was inside the truck in position. 

We ran down the concrete steps.

We jumped inside.

“Ten seconds!”  Adam yelled.

Mitch got in.

“Five seconds!”

Scott ran down the steps.

Adam pulled off. 

Scott ran alongside the truck.

Mitch grabbed his hand and pulled him in.

Ramsey closed the door.

“Why the fuck did you leave?!”   Scott yelled.

Adam ignored him and kept driving.

Scott reached for his gun.

Ramsey punched him in the side.

I pulled my gun.

“Yeah, you gotta slow hand.”

I told Mitch.

“Sit back and relax.” 

Mitch looked out the window. 

He didn’t want it. 

Ramsey watched Scott. 

We heard more sirens.  

We stay quiet and listened to the scanner.

Adam drove with the flow of traffic.

A few minutes later, he pulled over. 

“Why are we stopping?”  Scott said. 

“Shut up.” Ramsey said.

“Let him work.” He glanced at Adam. 

We saw the lights.

The patrol cars sped past.

Adam eased the truck back into the flow of traffic.

We reached the checkpoint early.

I took off my ski mask. 

Ramsey gave me his mask and gun.

He reached down to grab his duffel bag.

Scott punched him. 

Ramsey was on him quick.

I jumped out the van.

Adam got out and pulled Mitch out of the truck.

I didn’t pull out my gun.

Nope. I’ll let the guys sort it out.   

Mitch went for his gun. 

Adam punched him and took it. 

Scott flew out of the open truck door.

He fell hard on his back.

Ramsey got out of the truck.

He grabbed the duffel bag.

“Adam will continue to drive.”

Ramsey glanced at Scott.

“I want to meet your boss. Let her know.” 

He nodded at Adam and we left.

We didn’t speak until we were in the car. 

Ramsey drove and I checked the money.

I told him how Scott treated the bank manager.

Ramsey called Brian and gave him the bank’s name. He wanted someone to check on the manager. I know that meant he would make sure the guy had whatever he needed.

Ramsey asked Brian to find out who owned the safety deposit boxes. The clerks would have the information. They were paid less and could use the extra cash. He ended the call. I finished with the money. No dye. I checked the guns and settled in for the ride. We were on a beach in South Carolina three hours later. We shared a passionate kiss and watch the sunset. I told Ramsey what was on my heart. I wanted to find a place to call home. Oklahoma felt good but the time I lived with him in the apartment at the auto shop was the best. I became a chatterbox as I tried to explain why it was important. His kissed me.

“Sweetheart it’s time to make more memories.”

His voice was sexy and low.

I fell into it the passion.

We lived fast, we loved hard, and that was us.

But at this moment, we were a normal couple on a romantic getaway. It was perfect.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RAMSEY

Arkansas- Bank #3

“Vaults are a sure way to get caught.”  I told him.

“But Scott…” 

“Doesn’t know shit.” I finished his sentence.

I was right. He was Scott’s bitch. 

“We will take the cash drawers, safety deposit boxes, and the drops being prepped for pick up. I won’t hit a vault I don’t care what’s in it.”

“But you did in Alabama.” 

I stared at him.

Mitch got on the phone.

Yeah go bitch and complain. 

I was familiar with the bank in Alabama because I hit it before. I couldn’t get into the vault back then. I didn’t have the experience. Scott’s boss knew and wanted to see how I would do. I wouldn’t be tested again. The idea of killing Scott and his men was still on the table. I could run through them and get a name. Scott set up a phone meeting earlier this week.

I spoke to a woman.

Her voice was strained.

Her words sounded practiced.

I ended the call and told Scott I wanted to meet her in person. Yeah, I’m waiting for that.

I walked through the house

We were on a ranch.

It was a nice place with a lot of land.

Sage wouldn’t want all this space.