Page 79 of Octane

Even if Daniel is beaten to a bloody pulp, that won’t stop his father from cutting my father off.

“Sawyer?” I hear Carissa’s voice shouting from the other side of the door.

Within seconds, Daniel flies down the hallway, skidding to a stop when he sees me on the sofa. He looks surprised. When he didn’t see me in bed beside him, he probably thought I left. Carissa grabs his attention with her shouting.

“Get in the bedroom and shut the door. If you come out or even make one sound,” he doesn’t finish his sentence, but he doesn’t have to. I’m off of the sofa and in the bedroom a few seconds later.

I leave the door cracked just enough so I can hear their conversation.

After a quick series of beeps, a chime rings throughout the condo when Daniel opens the door.

“Where thefuckis she?” Carissa roars at him.

“Would you keep your voice down. You’re going to wake up the whole fucking building.”

“Sawyer!” Carissa yells into the condo.

I didn’t think I had any more tears left in me, but I was wrong. I feel so close yet so far away from her. I hear some commotion, and when the door slams, fear takes hold of me. Why did everything go quiet? Did Daniel hurt her?

“Let me see her,” Carissa demands.

“Fine, wait here.”

I hear heavy footsteps marching down the hall, and I back away from the door just as Daniel opens it.

“Dry your eyes, get your shit together, and go make your sister believe that you want to be here. I don’t think I have to remind you what will happen if you try anything.”

I nod and walk into the bathroom to splash some water on my face. Half the reason I complied so quickly is just so I can see her. I don’t know what is going to happen after this or when I’ll be able to talk to her next. When Daniel feels like I’m presentable enough, he leads me into the living room where Carissa lunges at me and pulls me in for a hug.

“Hey, are you okay?” she rasps as she takes me in.

“I’m fine,” I lie to her.

“What did he do to you?”

I look at Daniel who hits me with a pointed stare.

“Nothing.”

“Sawyer, this is no time for bullshit. What did he do or say to make you come back here?”

A flash of my family, brutally murdered, terrifies me and spurs me on.

“He didn’t. I’m telling the truth.” I straighten my back out, so I’m standing taller.

There is no way that I’m going to sell this to her. She knows when I’m lying and always has.

“Can I please speak withmy sister, alone?” she looks past me, speaking to Daniel.

She thinks speaking with me in private will help to extract the truth from me, but it won’t. Not this time.

“You andmy fiancéecan use my office.”

Of course, he doesn’t mind, he’s got me by my figurative balls. Not to mention the cameras and who knows how many other devices around the condo to make sure I’m doing and saying exactly what I should be. I would be shocked if he didn’t bug the place, too.

I grab Carissa by the arm before she loses her shit over thefiancéecomment and force her into the office. Turning, I look at Daniel before I follow my sister inside. His eyes glimmer with the promise of carnage should I do or say anything out of line. Swallowing down my nerves, I walk into the office and shut the door behind me. Carissa pulls me in for another hug as soon as I shut the door.

“Fiancée?” she grabs my left hand as if she needs proof.

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