Page 30 of Octane

“You’re wrong. And I’m not quitting.” That’s all I can muster, but it’s enough.

With his vicious stare, Daniel backs me into the garage door behind me.

“Sawyer, are you okay?” Nate calls out.

“God damn it, who asked you?” Daniel roars, turning his head toward Nate.

Angry that Nate came to my defense, Daniel’s fist pounds the garage door so hard, a small dent is left behind. I’m not shocked by his behavior, but I’m shocked by the fact that he let it out in front of someone else. This isn’t the way Daniel operates. He must always be the picture of perfection.

JACKSON

“I needto catch up with Sawyer, let’s walk and talk.”

Robby rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“Look, I know you don’t like her, but I’ve already told you. She is a member of this team now, so get used to it or get out.”

He’s angry that Sawyer could out-drive him today. In all honesty, I knew it was going to happen. He’s a skilled driver, but his ego impedes his performance. When he doesn’t answer, I continue.

“I told you before, you need to—”

Just before we turn the corner, I hear a shout followed by a loud noise.

“What was that?”

I break into a jog and hurry around to the back of the garage where we all park our personal vehicles. That’s when I see him. That stupid motherfucker is in Sawyer’s face.

“Hey!” I shout at Daniel. “Get the fuck out of here!”

I lunge toward them, pushing Daniel away from Sawyer. I’m gearing up to pummel him into the ground, but Sawyer steps into my path, and I feel Robby grab onto my shirt from behind me.

“Jackson, no!” she screams.

Fury paints my vision, and I can’t believe that she could break through it enough to get my attention. Thankfully she does, because I could have fucking killed this asshole.

“Are you alright?” I turn my attention to her. “Did he touch you again?”

“No!” she bellows at me like my question is absurd. “He hasn’t touched me at all.”

I’m about to ask her why she’s yelling when it hits me. I fucked up. I know he put his hands on her even though she never said the words. But he’s going to think she did. She looks around at all of us—Nate, Tim, Ryder, Robby, and me—and I can tell she’s embarrassed. I try to think of something I can say to fix my mistake, but the only thing that comes to mind is to take her back to my penthouse and never let him near her again.

What am I saying?

Other than these few instances, I know nothing about their relationship. Is it ridiculous to think that she would come with me, just like that? She may not even want to leave him. Maybe they’re one of those explosive couples who have no business being together, but for some reason can’t seem to live without one another.

No, I’m sure that’s not the case. What I know is that I care about her, and I need to tread lightly.

“Okay,” I concede, dismissing my own claims.

“Sawyer, let’s go,” the asshole barks.

I lock my eyes on hers as she stands there, not moving.

“Now,” Daniel orders her.

My eyes plead for her to stay as hers plead for me to understand that she can’t. I want to go to her, tell her she needs to leave this piece of shit. Finally, they walk to her car.

“Where is your car?” I hear her ask him. “I’ll drive you to it.”

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