Page 72 of Octane

“As long as they’ve been friends, brothers practically, and you don’t think that my dad would help yours when he’s in trouble?”

I consider his explanation, and though I don’t want to believe it, it seems like something Warren would do for Daddy. However, I fear he’s doing it for sordid purposes, like what Daniel is now trying to do to me.

“The way I see it, you have two choices.”

He leans forward and places his hands on my knees. I slap them away again, but he takes my wrists in his hands.

Just then, there is a knock on my door.

“Sawyer?” It’s Jackson.

I shout out, but Daniel tackles me, covering my mouth with his hand again. I struggle to get him off of me, but he tucks my arms into my sides and straddles me, locking them in place with his legs.

He leans his face down and puts a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. When I don’t stop trying to scream, he pinches my nose closed, cutting off my breath until tears stream down my face, and I nearly pass out.

“If you don’t knock it off, I don’t let go.”

I still beneath him, and he finally lets go of my mouth and nose. I suck air in as quickly as possible, filling my lungs once again.

“Sawyer, I got your text. Can you open the door?” Jackson shouts from the hallway.

“We’re going to go over to the door,” Daniel whispers, “and you’re going to tell lover boy that you’re sick and can’t make it to dinner tonight.Nothingelse, or I swear to God I’ll call my father right now, and he’ll stop payments to your father tonight. Got it?”

I nod my head as my tears continue to fall. Daniel moves off of me and grabs me by the arm, pulling me to the door. I wipe the tears from my face as I go.

“Sawyer, are you there? I’m worried about you. I’m going to go ask the hotel manager to open the door.”

“Get rid of him,” Daniel snarls, his furious breath against my ear making me ill.

“No, Jackson. I’m—I’m okay, I just. I think I got hit with a stomach bug.”

“Let me in, I’ll take care of you.”

His concerned tone is making me feel worse than I already do.

“No, it’s too risky. I don’t want you to get sick,” I choke back tears. “Please, I need to get back in the bathroom now. Go to dinner without me.”

“Sawyer,” he sighs so loudly, I can hear it through the door. “Alright. I’ll be by to check on you when we get back. Okay?”

“Okay,” I tell him.

When he doesn’t respond again, Daniel looks through the peephole to make sure he’s gone. He seems satisfied because he drags me back to the bed where we take our seats once again.

“Back to business. You have two choices, Sawyer. One, you come home with me where you belong and your father and sister remain under the protection of my father.

I can feel the scowl form on my face as rage courses through me.

“Or two, you stay here. You continue racing and spending time with yourfuckboy. My father cuts your father off and leaves him and your sister out to dry.”

This can’t be happening. I can’t think straight. I need Jackson or Carissa. I feel like the sad, scared little girl that I used to be. Trapped and unable to do anything about it.

“Now, before you make up your mind,” Daniel pulls an envelope from the inside pocket of his sport coat, “I think you should know exactly who your father got himself tangled with.”

I shoot him a confused glance when he hands me the envelope.

“Go ahead and open it.”

I open the envelope and immediately feel like I’m going to be sick. Inside are what look like crime scene photos.

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