He snorted. That boy in the deputy’s uniform didn’t have a clue what it would take to dominate a woman like Sage—make her feel loved and safe enough she could embrace her submissive side. Even if he could recognize it, the boy didn’t have what it took to give her what she needed and desired in the deepest part of her soul.
If he could just break through the veil that separated them and figure out a way to stay with her, he could give her everything she needed. Sometimes when she slept, he was able to reach through and be with her, if only for a few hours. While it was real and tactile for him, Sage, if she remembered it at all, did so as a dream. She always woke the next day relaxed, refreshed, and focused on whatever she needed to do. It was as if when she needed him most and allowed her self-protective walls to crumble just a bit, her soul reached out to his and he was able to break through.
“No need to get feisty on me. I’m here to help, remember?” the deputy scolded.
Feisty? The idiot didn’t understand her at all. She wasn’t feisty. She was fierce, tough, strong, and beautiful, longing for a partner she could lean on—one who wouldn’t take advantage of her but provide her with the stability and structure that would allow her to flourish and do so happily.
“I’m sorry, Charlie,” Sage sighed. “Of course, you’re right… at least about the part that I know you’re trying to help. It was just a bit unnerving.”
“I understand,” he said, taking her hand. “With your permission, I’m going to have your calls traced, but I doubt we’ll get anything.”
“Where are my manners? Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m good. I called your alarm company, and they’re running a full system check. If you’d like, I’ll go through the house, then walk the property. Before I leave, I’ll make sure the security folks give the system the a-okay and will make sure you’re all tucked in.”
If the idiot was a real man and had half a clue, he’d make sure he was tucked in next to her, providing her with everything she needed. Well, fuck the security company and her cell phone provider. He’d figured out how to check in with those systems. He couldn’t actually jump into them, but he could communicate with them and get information.
Untitled
Chapter 4
End of October
It had been two months since she had received the phone call. Charlie had shared with her that they had traced the call to a burner phone—one that had been discovered at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, so whoever he was, he’d been close. Sage had arranged for the number he’d called to be sent to a recorder, then had the one for her phone changed. So far, so good. She hadn’t had any calls. Gail had come down the week before, new clothes, tailor, and hairstylist in tow.
It was a clear, crisp, October day on the North Carolina coast when she pulled the vintage roadster out of the garage and headed down the long drive. Sage knew both the roadster and the house were huge indulgences, but she loved them both. She often thought she could live in a smaller house as long as she could have an office like her solarium and live on the beach, but she adored her car. She also had an SUV for bad weather and if she needed to take more than just her and her luggage. The antique sports car wasn’t practical, but it was beautiful and luxurious… and she loved to drive it.
Sage had knocked her automatic gate opener off of the seat next to her. Normally, she kept it on the visor, but when she was going to hit the highway at speed, she always worried about it somehow flying off, so she would remove it and place it on the passenger seat of the car. She was slowing down and making the turn as she leaned down to get it. When she sat back up, she slammed on the brakes, even though she had plenty of room, and managed to stifle the small scream that threatened to escape.
There, hanging from the arch over the gate, was a dangling body—a figure obviously meant to be her—and sticking out of its chest was a large knife.
She dialed the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Larsen answered.
“Sheriff, it’s Sage Matthews.”
“How can we help, Ms. Matthews? We haven’t heard anything else on your case…”
“Well, you might want to come out to the house. Someone left an effigy of me with a knife through the heart, hanging from the archway over my gate.”
“What the hell?” She could hear him scrambling and calling to their dispatcher. “Are you all right?”
“I am, but I’m on my way to Charlotte. I need to meet with some people this evening, then I’m taking an overnight flight to London. I’ll be there at least a week. Can I just leave this and close the gate behind me?”
“Yes, ma’am, if that’s what you need to do, but I don’t want you to stop on your trip into Charlotte, and let us know you got there safely, okay? But my advice, and choice, would be that you not go at all.”
“I can appreciate that, Sheriff, but this is part and parcel of my job, and I won’t be intimidated. I hate to feel like I’m dumping this on you, but I’m a bit freaked out. It feels like whatever it is, it’s escalating.”
“I agree. Do me a favor, leave your car with the valet parking at the airport? I’ll have Charlie fetch it
