Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

21. Sage

TWENTY-ONE

Sage

R unning down our home’s front steps, my mother weeps, “You’re safe!” pulling me into an embrace as soon as I shut off my Harley. The Ciphers ride past us to park in the garage, everyone solemn, tired, and beat up. I couldn’t let her wait, so I stopped here.

Hugging her back, I smile with relief and love in my heart, “Mom, let me get off the bike first!”

She hugs me tighter. “Where’s Bear?”

“He went to the station.”

“What happened? Tell me everything.”

I dismount my motorcycle and walk upstairs with her, arm-in-arm, describing some details of the night as dawn’s light brings a new day. The horrors are fresh for us both, but soothed by my rescue, and as soon as The Ciphers pile into the living room by way of the back porch’s door, I have to tell it all again. Melody, Carmen, Denita, Shay and Mylar were not at the warehouse. They stood vigil here beside Mom, and all who stayed home look as though they haven’t slept for a week.

“Why weren’t you there?” I ask Shay and Mylar.

“Too dangerous.”

Denita raises her voice, “I’ve heard about The Spiders. My babies are still in training.”

Sofia Sol returns to the subject, “How did Briar save you? That’s what we all want to know.”

“Briar told me to scream.”

“I’ll kill him,” Dad snarls.

“No, Dad, to make it sound to the others like I was being hurt.” I pause, raking my gaze over the club’s expectant faces. “He then punched himself to make it sound like he was punching me.” A few gasp. Some shift their weight in surprise. “Over and over he punched his leg, his side, his chest, while I kept making the sounds of pain.”

Dad grunts, “Well, I’ll be…”

Jett mutters, “And now he’s in custody.”

Throwing her white-streaked, long black hair over one shoulder, Luna reminds her husband, “Jett, don’t forget what The Spiders are known for. What they’ve done before.”

Tonk Sr. interjects, “That’s why he said he deserved to be with them.”

Sofia Sol locks her grey eyes onto me, “Your dad might have saved his sister, but Briar isn’t a good guy.”

“Redemption is a powerful thing,” I argue. “He was good tonight. It could have been very, very bad for me.”

Celia frowns, “It’s been very, very bad for a lot of women with The Spiders, Sage. Briar, no exception. We saw it.”

Jett explains with finality, “That’s why he went willingly.”

I inhale sharply, “That showed courage — a voluntary surrender.”

Luna tilts her head, wanting me to understand, “Willing to pay for his crimes means something, yes. But those victims deserve this justice.”

Altas growls, “It doesn’t let him off the hook that he did the right thing at the last second.”

Luke nods once. “He must be held accountable.”

“I guess you’re right,” I whisper before a shudder takes over my body. My head is down as I realize aloud, “I have a very clear idea of how the women were treated. And how they must’ve felt. I was so scared tonight. I was terrified. If that had been me…”

“You shouldn’t have snuck out like that!” Dad barks.

“I’m sorry…” I begin, but I can’t help my own anger sparking. “No, I’m not sorry! I wouldn’t have had to sneak if you’d have let me see him.”

Melody speaks up for the first time. “You just met the man, Sage.”

“What does that matter?” I toss back.

Jett counters, “I knew the moment I met Sunshine that I would never be the same,” using his beloved nickname for Luna. “Nothing could keep me from her side, except her.”

She smiles, and touches his thigh. “I fought it.”

“Yeah, you did.” Jett kisses her, nice and slow.

Melody’s eyes tear up. “What am I talkin’ ‘bout? I felt the same way about my Fuse. May my baby rest in peace!”

Carmen and Mom put arms around her, with Mom whispering, “He’s your guardian angel now, Mel.”

There are a few moments of silence for our dear departed friend before Jett announces somberly, “We need to come up with a plan.”

Dad looks at The Ciphers’ President. “What’re you thinkin’, Jett?”

Jett locks his grey eyes onto me. “Do I have it right… you’re not letting this guy go?”

“What do you think?”

A smirk tugs at his mouth. “Got your father’s fire.” To his club he announces, “Then we have two choices. We either bring him in as one of us, or Sage keeps the secret about our missions.”

My brothers nod, with Luke vouching for me, “She would keep the secret.”

Mom mumbles, aghast, “Of course she would!”

Jett asserts, “That’s why it’s an option.”

I interrupt, “Excuse me, but I don’t want him to be a Cipher.”

Oh boy. The way the room moves at that statement! Those standing, straighten. Many of those sitting, stand. Several mutter obscenities of incredulity.

I hold out my hands, focusing on my mother and father. “Being a police officer is dangerous, don’t get me wrong, but what you guys do is just as dangerous, if not more so, except you’re gone on missions for weeks at a time, sometimes longer, and we have no way to contact you. We have to wait for you to call us! And while you’re gone, we worry .” I rake my gaze across the room. “At least with a cop, I know he’ll come home after every shift, God willing. It’s hard enough being a daughter, a sister, and waiting for you to come home. Every time you do, I feel such joy… but that’s partly because I am so terrified when you were gone, that it’s an enormous relief when you return safe. How would I feel if it were my husband and we had kids? If we make it that far, I mean.”

The room is silent, and many have taken their seats again. All are watching me and my parents. Mom speaks up, “I fell in love with your father and this life chose me. I don’t regret a day of it. But I do understand and respect your feelings around this, Sage.”

I throw my arms out. “Who even knows if he’d want to be a Cipher? It’s not like we can ask him without giving the secrets away!” They exchange looks, and I explain to Jett what is already dawning on him, “You said there’re two choices, but the first one means having to let him in on what you really do, in order for him to sign up. And what if he says no? Secret’s out.”

Dad’s phone rings. He looks at it, reads aloud, “Vacherie Police.” To those who had to stay home, he grunts, “They needed a phone number.” Answering the call, his volume raises. “Yeah?” We wait as he listens and grunts, “Uh huh…Okay…Fine.” Hanging up, he’s got the whole club in suspense. “Bear’s on his way over.”