SAGE

Chapter 10

Sage Miller

This day just doesn't wanna be over. It just drags on forever.

I pushed the door open and got inside. Connor was nowhere in sight and I was fucking exhausted.

After I apologized to Smurf I decided it would be best to just go home and get some rest before I blew it

again.

I practically dragged myself up the stairs eager to throw myself on my bed and pass out. I was

emotionally and physically drained.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard Connor's voice. My ears pecked up to listen in on the private

conversation.

"You said that my debt was paid. I worked every penny I owed you." He hissed to the other person on

the other end of the call.

I pressed my ear harder to hear him more. The conversation sounded private and I should've walked

away and let him be but my nosey self didn't do that, instead I stayed to listen to the whole convo.

"That was suppose to be my last job. We agreed on that.... I don't wanna work for you.. I am fine the

way I am." He said, I could tell he was getting irritated.

Connor apparently owed someone. And why was he talking shady.

"Will it be my last job?" He asked and waited for an answer.

Connor wasn't shady but I had to admit, the whole conversation sounded very suspicious and very

shady.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" He said softly like he was giving up.

My curiosity was getting the better of me. It sounded like he was being blackmail into some job. Which

sounded very illegal.

I listened as he sighed loudly.

"You're such an asshole." I heard him say before he let out a huge groan-growl.

I listened for a couple of seconds more before detaching myself from the door and walking to my room.

Why can't I just mind my own damn business? I scolded myself as I threw myself on the bed.

Now I'm stuck trying to piece the puzzle that is Connor.

I just had to walk to my room and mind my fucking business but no I just had to stick my nose where it

definitely didn't belong.

"Earth to Sage." Connor snapped his fingers in my face to get my attention.

I looked at him puzzled.

"What?" I asked confused.

Last night I was beyond tired. So much happened and today is a new day but I'll be dealing with a few

old shit and I'm still tired.

I also have to face something I've been avoiding since last night.

"Nevermind man. I'm out of here. See you later." He said getting up.

I looked at him. As he threw his dirty dishes in the sink. I wanted to ask him where he was going

because I think it's about that call.

Stop being nosey. I myself.

"Spare keys on the bowl by the door." I told him as I continued to eat my breakfast.

"Later bro." And then he was out the door.

I finished my own breakfast and did what Connor did, I threw my dish in the sink and I was out the door.

I kept dreading the meeting today. Now that I know that the fairy Godfather is Styles I don't admire him

like I did before.

I'm actually pissed at him. The other day he bluntly told me to leave. He told me he doesn't want me in

the gang. Me and Sebastian and of course I didn't tell Sebastian what he said.

I parked my car at the back of the hideout and stood there for some time. The truth was I was nervous

and scared.

He didn't want me in the gang and he had the authority to kick me out and people would actually listen

because they all see this unbelievable guy who's so powerful.

After giving myself some pep talk I walkrf inside. I have to meet him sometime right and whatever

happens happens.

"I can't believe that's the guy that use to date your sister." Sebastian whisper next to me. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I've been here for a while and he still hasn't shown up yet. Not that I'm complaining about that.

"Tell me about it." I whispered back to him lost in my own head.

I have no idea how I should react to him. Less than 24 hours ago, I admired the shit out of the guy. But

fact remains he broke my sister's heart.

"I spent last Christmas with the guy and I tell you he didn't look like the cartel type." Sebastian added.

Sebastian was right, I knew the guy for almost a year and he didn't look like the type. I would've said

the worst thing he's ever done is pee in public or ran a stop sign.

True to the testament, never judge the book by it's cover.

Right now we were sorting out the merchandise to be sold tonight.

I wonder where Styles is?

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. And yes I just compared him to the devil because that's what

he really is.

He's a chameleon after all. Capable of changing his colour to what suites the environmental.

I worked my jaw as I saw him walk past me. His eyes met mine for a second and a little smirk played

on his lips before he looked away.

My nose flared and I closed my eyes to control my rising temper. I took deep breaths before I did

something stupid.

Like punch him in front of the whole gang and his arsenal but I couldn't do that without being showered

with bullets and he fucking knows that.

He has security like the president and they are serious guys with real guns hoisted around their waist.

Proof that he's important in the cartel business.

He gave order and I heard nothing. My thoughts were pretty loud the duration of his entire little speech.

Standing in front of us, he didn't look 18 in fact he looked way older. 25 maybe. I'm still surprised and

curious how he kept his lives completely separate.

When he's here, he ooze a powerful aura. The one that screams how dangerous he is. But when he

was with Eve, he was somewhat young and a bit reckless and not in control like he is now.

"Sage." I felt Sebastian next to me nudge me.

"What?" I hissed frowning at him.

"He called you to his office." He said in an admiration voice.

I rolled my eyes at him. I walked towards his office and yes he has an office. I mentally rolled my eyes

at his arrogance.

I might have respected him when I didn't know his identity but now I know how much of a douche he is,

I don't respect him no more.

I don't bother to knock. I busted right in and he looked up from his papers and smirked. Once again I

clenched my fist and took a big breath.

"You called me." I tried to sound somewhat normal.

"We have a talk pending." He said not looking up from the map he's holding.

"Don't bother your little heard. I told you I'm not going anywhere." I almost snapped at him.

I had a lot to say in his egotistic, arrogance fat face.

"It might be easy for you to get everything out of your chest. Insult me even." He made marking on the

map. "I promise nothing will happen to you."

He chuckled at his own joke and I worked my jaw. This burstard knows the power he holds here. It was

better when I didn't know he was the Godfather.

Back then I would've went off on his ass and said whatever I wanted but now he's all powerful and

mighty.

"I'm giving you an opportunity to say any shit you please." He said still not looking at him. "You won't

get another chance like this..... I can't feel your anger from here..... spit it out."

He chuckled and glanced at me for a brief moment.

"Your loss." He said in between chuckles.

"Do you blame me?" I breathed out the anger.

He looked at me and shrugged.

"I don't even sure what I'm pissed about." I started. "Sure, I'm pissed that you broke Eve's heart....."

When I said her name I watched his reaction closely. He stiffen but tried to hide it.

So he hasn't forgotten her. I noted.

"....but that's always. Maybe I'm pissed that the guy I admired turned out to be you. How can I when

you hurt her so much. I'm pissed that you ruined the Godfather for me. I can't admire the guy who

broke my sister. My brain... my being... my soul won't allow me too. You ruined so much. I'm pissed

because you're the Godfather."

When I finished my mini speech I was breathing hard.

A moment of silence passed us. He was still looking map on the table but the hand holding the marker

was frozen. He didn't move. I didn't move.

"You should know I didn't mean to hurt her." He whispered. His walls of power and arrogance totally

forgotten.

He still hasn't move.

"So you say." I said being sarcastic and bitter.

His head snapped up and our eyes met. And for a second I saw his vulnerable side. I saw the pain,

void and hurt. My heart clenched hard.

But that side was gone just as fast as it came but I saw it. And I hate how I felt his sadness. His face

became stoic but I saw the real him between his cracks.

"Believe me I do." He said and I looked away because no matter how much I didn't want to, I did

believe him.

"You know what gets to me most, more than you breaking her heart?" I asked, breaking the insufferable

silence.

"What?" He asked genuinely curious.

"You fucking put my sister in danger. You have enemies Styles and you still dated her. The Godfather

has enemies everywhere." I told him.

It's been eating me up since yesterday. He put my sister in danger by being with her and he didn't even

care.

"Your sister is safe. She'll always be safe. I kept her far away from this life and I'm sure you're aware

that no one really knows who I am." He justified himself.

I didn't care if people didn't know who he was. Someone will figure it out and they'll use my sister to get

to him. I don't want that.

I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind but then decides against it.

"I don't care about all that but please do me one favour?" I pleaded with him and he nodded. "Stay the

hell away from Eve."

He opened his mouth to argue but I raised my hand and spoke before he did.

"If you love her like you claim you do, you'll stay away from her. Don't get her involved in this and one

day no one would hurt her to get to you." I told him and pleaded that he listened. "I'll squash this whole

deal between us if you promise to stay away."

He looked down and was quiet for moment.

"I already promised her I would never go near her." He told me and I nodded in approval.

"Thank you." I told him. I could see how this hurt him but I don't want Eve getting mixed up in this whole

life.

After a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence I striked up a conversation.

"What are you really doing here?" I asked him because I'm genuinely curious.

Last night on my way home after seeing Alora I googled him. He doesn't need any money but here he

was, in a cartel filled with danger.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked and jotted something on the map on his table.

"I mean here, in a gang. I mean you don't need money, your family is well off, from your father, mother

and even your two sisters. You evwn have ten cars." I told him and I didn't miss his face either.

His features harden before he settled on being stoic.

"Not everything is about money, Miller. I'm here because I want to be." He said.

"Is that all? There has to be more. You've been with the gang for a long time and everyone seems to

think you're one of the Casias but I know you ain't related."

"How do you know that? We might be cousins. I mean their mom might be my aunt." He reasoned but I

know he was obviously lying.

"That's a load of BS and you know it. I googled you. Your mom and dad were both only child to your

grandparents." I told him.

"Not everything is what it seem. I can tell you any bull and you'll have to believe me." He told me.

"If you haven't noticed before. I'm good at reading people and I've gotten really good at reading you." I

told him as a matter of fact.

"And I can be a very convincing lair." He countered.

"You're side tracking me." I told him and he laughed throwing his head back.

"And I gotta hand it to you, you're smart." He complimented me and I nodded at him in pride.

"Well...." I raised a brow at him.

"Sure I'll tell you." He started. "I'm here for the thrill and adrenaline. Mostly I like the power. Being in

charge."

I was actually impressed by him. How he owned up to his little fetishes.

"Now, you tell me why are you here?" He asked me.

"Mine is simple, money. Ain't we all here for that." Then I remembered what he just said. "Most of us at

least."

He chuckled low.

"Now, now. That can't be all." He smirked as he used my own words against me. "You had a job and

some money left for the both of you. You're a good student, good in football and aiming for a

scholarship which you'll be getting in your senior year."

My brows raised in shocked. How the fuck that he know so much?

"They don't call me the Fairy Godfather for nothing." He gloated and I was impressed.

"Wow." That's all I said to him. "Am I really getting it?"

Wow, I'll be getting the scholarship. My fucking God. that's huge.

"Sort of because your friend, Sebastian, is also in the list. Either one of you will get it." He explained

and the surprises just keeps rolling in.

"And you still haven't answered me." He reminded me and it was my turn to chuckle.

"The job wasn't enough. I wanted a car. To be able to party whenever without worrying about money.

So basically it's about money." I said.

I'm quite surprised how easy the conversation is going. We haven't always got along. I've always been

on his throat or ready to kick his ass.

Maybe its because he's the only one who knows my secret and maybe it's because we have this now.

The cartel, the gang. Now two secrets bind us together.

"I know that's not it but I'll accept it. You'll tell me someday." He said marking something on the map.

He's been doing that since I got in.

"What are you doing there?" Curiosity got the better of me.

"Making routes and new warehouse." He simply said. I hummed in response.

"So you're the Godfather, huh." I said tasting the word.

"Apparently." He replied.

"Actually how big is this thing?" I asked referring to the cartel.

"Very big. Stick with me and you'll find out." I watched him gloat.

He did more marking and murmured something to himself. I watched as he tapped in his laptop then

made more markings.

I couldn't help but think how amazing he is.

"Give me your phone." He said.

"Why?" I asked confused.

"Gonna check something out and encrypt it."

"Dante already had some guys do it." I told him.

"Hmmm.... still, give." He extended his hand not looking at me but I made no move do it.

He groaned and ran his hand through his hair in frustration and I just watched him.

"The fact that you're still sitting here, in this room, with me and haven't attempted to leave means that

you're sticking with me and since you'll be working closely with me I want to encrypt it."

At that logic I took out my phone and gave it to him. He connected it to another phone then his laptop. I

watched him do his business.

Funny how he didn't ask me to leave the gang again. Maybe my threat to join the WESTIES worked.

He unplugged the new phone and gave it to me and threw my phone on the pile of phone behind him

and I immediately shoot up to my feet and before I could say anything he spoke.

"Relax. I just transferred everything on your old phone that one. It's more secures." He told me. "One of

the IT guys that Dante used was a spy for another cartel."

He informed me and I was shocked and I'm sure it was evident in my face.

"We're looking for him though and he's been giving me the slip." He said in frustration. "I've replaced

every phone in the gang."

My phone suddenly indicated an incoming text.

I opened it and immediately snorted. It's a video of Eve with Smurf completely making a fool of

themselves. With a messenge attached to it.

Guess who's enjoying her summer and very much drunk before 12 pm. You know what she'll say if you

ask. It's 12 somewhere in the world. - E

They are wasted and I know that Smurf will say that if you asked why she's drunk.

I chuckled and replied.

Dumbass - S

I looked up and saw that Styles was looking at me.

"Who's a dumbass?" He asked and I shrugged.

"No one." I hesitated for a bit. I don't want to tell him about Eve.

He opened his mouth to ask something but he closed it again. I'm pretty sure I know what he wanted to

asks. I waited for a few seconds for him to ask but he never did.

"You aren't gonna ask me to leave the gang again ain't you?" I asked him and he chuckled.

"I wouldn't want you to join the rival gang, now would I?." He answered and I arched an eyebrow.

"And that is all?"

"I would rather you here with me where I can protect you than with the WESTIES where you could be

shot by my gang."

I cleared my throat and stood up.

"Well I'm off. I've been in here long enough. Wouldn't want people thinking I'm getting special

treatment." I said leaving.

"You are getting special treatment and I'm pretty sure they all know or soon will anyway." He said and I

chuckled.

I held the doorknob and looked at him. Again he wanted to say something but refrained. His face

showed exactly what he wanted to say.

I open it and walked out but I stopped.

"Hey Styles." I called out and he raised his head and met my gaze. "She's doing okay. Not fine but she

will be."

I told him and he nodded in understanding. I closed the door and walk to Sebastian to finish our job.

"I'm gonna hang out at yours till tonight." Sebastian said as we exited the diner After finishing our

lunch.

"Alright cool man." I said as I went over to my car. The day turned out way better than expected.

I got inside my car and drove to my house.

When I woke up today and expected this day to be a shitty but it turned out better than expected.

I parked on my drive way and got out and seconds later Sebastian pulled up. I locked my car and

walked towards the front door and suddenly remembered something.

I turned and waited for Sebastian to reach me. I seriously don't know how he'll react to this or how

Connor will.

Heck I don't even know if Connor is in yet.

They haven't seen each other in over two weeks.

"Seb man, Connor is staying here." I said hesitant and I watched him and he tries to hide his reaction.

"So don't start trouble okay."

"You know he's the one who'll start trouble right and this time I won't let him use me as his punching

doll." He spat and I inwardly groan. If Connor is in, this will be a bad idea.

"Just don't.... I don't know... don't provoke him." I warned.

"And how will I do that." He was showing me exactly that they won't co-exist if we went in and Connor

was back.

"I don't know because your existence provoke him." I murmured.

"Okay wow." He said raising his voice.

I grabbed his wrist and pulled him away from the door.

"One mistake and I'm damned. And why is he even staying here. Doesn't he have a home." He

sneered.

Why do I have to be stuck in the middle. I breathed out.

"He's staying here because he has nowhere to__." I tried to say but he cut me off.

"Why doesn't he go to his house?" He shouted snarling.

"Because you ruined that for him." I shouted back. I don't have to be stuck here but I am and I'm tired

because he's wrong but he's acting like what he did is perfectly normal.

"You're on his side now." He snapped.

"What side Sebastian? And watch how you talk to me." I warned dangerously. People might be afraid

of him but I'm not.

"Now that you're rolling with the Godfather you think your high and mighty." He spat out the words and

looking at me with disgust.

"What does that have to do with this?" I asked.

"You're judging me for one little mistake. You weren't judging me before."

"One little mistake? That wasn't little and you didn't sleep with her once, you did it repeatedly. And fuck

I didn't judge you. I said don't provoke Connor. He has every right to be angry. You slept with his

mother. His fucking mother. And I'm not choosing sides because you're fucking wrong. Own up to that

shit and fucking apologies to him. That shit was out of pocket dude."

I went out ranting on him and he blew up and went crazy.

"I fucked up. I fucked up. When you do it it's alright but when I do it am wrong. You're fucking that girl

and it's alright." He shouted.

"Don't you fucking compared that. Two years older and twenty years older are very different and don't

fucking include me in your mess. Alora isn't my friend's mom."

"Connor isn't my friend." He declared and I was shock frozen for a second. My jaw dropped and my

eyes widen.

"Well he is my friend." I said in defeat.

"And I'm not."

"You're both my friend." I said. "I think it's best if you went somewhere to cool off."

"You're kicking me out?" He asked in disbelief.

"I'm not. You can come back when you're level headed." I replied.

"There's no need for you to kick me out. I was leaving anyway. And I might just visit Barbra to cool my

mind." He said and started walking away and I panicked.

"Sebastian." I called after him but his was halfway to his car. "Don't do something you'll regret... come

back here... fuck... Sebastian.... don't be stupid."

I called after him but he ignored me and he took off.

I groaned and stomped my feet in a quiet tantrum. I debated on following but stopped because he

needed his space to calm down.

I walked inside the house and released a sigh when I noticed that Connor wasn't in.

Why? Why is my life suck a...... I don't even know what to make of it. It's just chaos.

I just need normality. Just for an hour.