Page 96 of Octane

“That’s what you think, asshole.”

My only response is a knowing smile before I turn my back on him, heading to the elevator.

Big mistake.

Within seconds, Daniel comes up from behind me and pushes me to the ground. I hold my hands out to keep me from hitting the asphalt, injuring two of my fingers. He’s on my back, on top of me, and he lands a few punches to my head before I’m able to roll over and pin him beneath me.

Grabbing him by his shirt, I pull his upper body off of the ground. Rearing back, my fist connects with his face once, leaving him in a daze. Breathing hard, I get off of him and get into the elevator, leaving him on the ground in the parking garage.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

SAWYER

I’m just about finished making dinner when Daniel walks through the door. Before I get a chance to turn around, he starts shouting, scaring the hell out of me.

He found out that I met up with Jackson.

I turn around at the stove, sucking in a breath as I get ready to defend myself when I see his eye is puffy, and he has blood running down the side of his face.

“What happened to you?” I gasp, trying to make it seem like I genuinely care.

“That fucking asshole that you got yourself tangled with decided to jump me in the garage,” he snarls.

What?

There’s no way he’s going to get me to believe that Jackson started anything. I grab a bag of frozen peas from the freezer and hand it over to him.

“Here.”

Daniel looks at me as he takes it, and I notice the questioning look in his eye. He doesn’t believe that I’m honestly trying to care for him.

“It will help with the swelling. I can’t believe he attacked you,” I say, letting him think I believe him.

“He’s unstable,” Daniel snaps. “I’m glad I was able to get you away from him before he turned his rage on you. It would kill me to lose you.”

Fighting to keep my face from betraying me, I turn back to dinner before it burns.

“I’m making chicken paninis for dinner. Hope you’re hungry.”

“You haven’t started eating bread again, I hope? You remember how bloated it made you before.”

Deep breaths.

“Nope,” I reply, trying to keep myself from whacking him over the head with the panini press. “I’m actually not hungry.”

And that’s the truth. I’m worried about Jackson. What shit did Daniel start with him? It’s not that I don’t think Jackson can take him, but the idea that they fought and I’m here taking care of Daniel instead of him eats away at me.

“I’ll wash up while you finish here, then.”

* * *

Daniel finishes eatingwhile I sit at the table with him, drinking my water. My mind is still on Jackson, and the urge to check on him is strong. It’s a huge gamble, but it’s one I’m willing to take. I think I can get in and out quickly enough.

“Daniel?” I begin.

He turns his attention to me but doesn’t say anything.

“After I finish cleaning up dinner, I was wondering if I could work out in the gym for a little while? Maybe just a twenty-minute jog on the treadmill?”

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