Eye of the Hurricane

Chapter 38 - Chase

Two Months Later

After tracking down Christian and making sure he really was in jail, I was on a war path to completely remove him from Sage's life. I didn't want her to have to think back to that dark time in her life. We pressed all the charges that we could and with the rape and breaking his restraining order, he shouldn't be able to ever touch Sage again. 

Sage had started the process for a divorce previously. That's how he ultimately how he found out her location. He had tracked her down some but hadn't made a lot of progress. Sage deleted all of her social media and completely left her life behind to hide from him. In the beginning, he hired a private investigator. He knew she went out of the state and where she had went. 

They tracked down video footage from the bus station. He had been here on and off trying to track her down. I have to admit. Sage had really thought her plan through. Without help, he would never have been able to find her. The lawyer messed up though. He gave out some of her information and I will never be able to forgive him for that. 

After an in depth search, we were able to find an attorney that has been able to handle all of this for us and quickly. Kelsey has been a big help. Once she found out the truth, she contacted her boss and he acted quickly to get this divorce settled and to get Christian the longest sentencing possible. 

Today is his hearing. Sage was questioning if she wanted to go but decided this would be a good way to bury it in the past and try to find peace. She had been called in on stand along with Paul these last few weeks. We can't wait to finally set this behind us and see him behind bars for good especially with their divorce finalized last week. 

As we walk into the court room, I reach out and bring Sage's back to my front and whisper in her ear. "He can't hurt you any more, baby girl. This ends today."

She lets out a breath and relaxes just slightly. "Thank you for everything, Chase."

I let her go as we make our way to some seats. Everyone came with us to support Sage. Paul leads the way and once we sit down, he reaches out and pats her leg.

"You've got this, sweet thing."

I've never been more grateful to have Paul in my life. He not only brought me out of my dark place once before, he made me realize what I was about to lose. Without him, I don't think I could come back from the storm. This girl came into my life and has lived up to my nickname for her. Hurricane. There has been a storm. An all consuming storm full of hate and rage, then love and acceptance. Possibly a little bit of crazy too. I never know what to expect from her. Especially if Paul teams up with her. Those two are two peas in a pod and honestly, I'm jealous of what they have. Ultimately, I know they were meant to find each other. They're exactly what each other needed at the time.

I look between the two people that mean the world to me and smile. I would have never imagined that I would find this happiness and peace in my life. My thoughts are interrupted by the judge making their way into the room. Time to find out what the sentencing will be.

Christian was sentenced with multiple items. In total, he will be in jail for 30 years. I know that it doesn't keep him away from her forever but 30 years is still a long time from now. I will just have to figure out how to protect her when that time comes. 

Sage hasn't moved since the judge walked out. 

"Hey, this is good baby girl. It's good." I reassure her and pull her into my arms as I stand. 

Her face is like stone and she won't look at me. She has gotten a lot better with eye contact lately and I won't let her fall back into old habits so I bring her face close to mine. That's when I see the first tear drop. 

The first time I saw a tear on her face, I walked away. I knew it would break me. I wasn't in the right space but I will never turn by back on her again. I wipe it away before it can stain her beautiful face. 

"You're right." All of the air releases from her and it's like she can finally see the horizon. 

"Yeah, I am. Let's get out of here and celebrate?"

She looks at me with her face all scrunched together. One of my favorite looks personally. Obviously, her mad one is my favorite. I don't know why but it just does something for me. 

"What do you mean? How are we going to celebrate.." She looks around the room and pauses. "This."

I let out a small laugh and kiss her forehead. 

"You see, hurricane. You and Paul aren't the only ones that can team up together. Paul, do you want to tell her what we're doing or should I?"

Paul matches my smirk as he leans in to whisper something in her ear. I can't hear it but the smile on my girl's face lets me know that this was a good idea.

"Manatees?" She whisper yells. 

I laugh. I knew she would love it but Paul left out a lot of the details. 

"Let's get out of here and I'll show you some Manatees. What do you say?"

Her face lights up and comes towards me with open arms but bypasses me and gives Paul a huge hug. Go figures. I shake my head. Of course he gets all the credit. He only suggested  that maybe we should get away for a little while. I came up with everything else. Obviously he helped but still. Come on! I bring my hand to my face and just shake my head. These two.

"What do you say? We get out of here. See some manatees and some other cool shit, yeah?"

"Yes!" Sage exclaims. "I can't wait."

They push past me. While Paul winks, Sage quickly grabs my hand and pulls me along with them. They're never going to stop, are they?

When we finally make it back to my car, Kelsey is already there waiting on us. Sage looks back at me a little confused but I can see the little smile that she's trying to hide. 

"What's really going on, babe?"

"Well, that's just the thing. You're just going to have to wait and find out. Now get in the car."

Of course I smirk. I know exactly how to rile her up. She crosses her arms and shakes her head. 

"No. You can't just boss me around all the time, Chase. Now, tell me. What is the plan?"

I let out a huff and rub my jaw. See, I knew just how she would act. I lean down a lower my voice.

"Are you really wanting to be a brat right now? Because you know there will be consequences, hurricane and we have a little bit of a drive." I raise my eyebrows to challenge her.

Sage mirrors me but pouts a little bit. She knows how that gets me. I hear and see her lips moving but can't make out what she's saying. 

"What was that, hurricane. I didn't hear you."

She raises her head and speaks a little louder. "I wasn't being a brat."

When she can't control her face anymore and I see a little smirk, I open the door and gently push her inside. Can't forget a little smack on the ass for being a brat though. I shut the door and get into the driver's seat.

"I see this is going to be a long trip, isn't it Dad?"

A shit eating grin is across my best friend's face and I kept help but match it.

"It's is son, now shut up and don't ask me if we're there yet every five minutes."