Page 6 of Chef
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Dex says, his eyes on mine. “You’re one of ours, Sage.”
I give him a wobbly smile and Mom sniffs over the line. “Keep, the easiest way to do this is to draw Nathaniel to you. You will have somewhat of an upper hand, given that you’re on home territory, but remember, he knows the Keep as well.”
“Wrong. He knew Eden’s Keep,” Omen says.
“True,” Mom replies, unphased.
“How do we draw him in?” Chef asks, leaning over the table, resting on his bunched fists as he stares down at the phone.
“He’ll come if he thinks Sage is taken. Someone needs to marry her.”
Chapter Two
Chef
“No. Hell no. In fact,fuckno,” Sage says emphatically, jabbing a finger at Dex’s phone on the table. “Try again, Mom.”
“It’s the easiest way to draw him out, baby. The Computas can put it out on their platforms that you’re getting married. Just enough that he sees it. I know that little fucker and he won’t take that shit lying down.”
“It makes so much sense,” Chewy says, butting in. “Think about it. We already divided and conquered Petrov. We can do the same again. McDonald Mercy or whatever the hell his name is, he can get his ass killed at the Keep then it leaves just Thompson and I’m sure we can take care of his ass here.”
I mean, it does make sense, but the thought of using Sage as bait doesn't sit right with me. “We are not using Sage as fucking bait, Chewy.”
She blows a raspberry over the phone the same time Sage angrily flips the bird at me.
“I’m not marrying him or anyone else,” Sage says, sitting back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest.
“It won't be a real marriage,” Chewy says and I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes. “It’ll be a fake marriage. You could fake marry Chef,” she offers helpfully.
“Yes!” I yell at the same time Sage yells, “Fuck no!” Her mouth has gotten real dirty since we broke up.
“Nope. No way. Anyone but Chef. I’ll marry Damian,” she says quickly, making me flinch at her use of my road name.
“Oh well hey now, baby, I kinda like being alive and all.” He gestures to me and beams. “I can see why you’d choose me, but I have Barbara.”
“Who’s Barbara?” She asks, confused.
“That’s my girl. Best there is.”
Sage stares at him for a moment before her wild gaze moves to TumTum.
“No!” I jab a finger at his open mouth and he snaps it shut so fast his teeth clack.
Sage’s nostrils flare as she glares at me, her small fists balled on the top of the table and I don’t give a shit. If there has to be a marriage, it’ll be to me. Do I deserve it? Fuck no I don’t. But marrying her might be the only way I can win her back. I mean, I’m sure this is some shit Tank and Mira have spoken about before. If we’re married she’ll have to share a place with me and that means more time together for me to make it all up to her.
Sage takes a steadying breath before setting her gaze on Dex. “Right. So, Damian and TumTum have pussied out of the running. I can’t marry Justice because I love Joe too much andI know that she has feelings for him.” Justice’s brows hit his hairline before his face softens and he gives her a small nod. “Obviously my uncles are out, ugh.”
Damian hoots, “You know, you could marry one of ‘em, cher. Isn’t that kind of yo’ family tradition?”
Sage turns her head scarily slow to look at Damian who has the good sense to shrink back a little. “Flack is too old - no offense.”
“None taken,” Flack snorts.
“Sniper has his eyes on someone else, so that leaves Theo, Jay or you, Prez.” Sage nods as if they are the logical options even though Dex is around 15 years older than she is.
Sure the twins are closer in age to Sage, but if they have any good sense about them, they’ll keep their mouths shut.
“Well, I could be persuaded,” Theo shrugs, Jay nodding along with him.
