Page 11 of Sanction

“Wow.” She shakes her head. “It’s in the cooler. Help yourself, asshole.”

A sketchy looking kid with a mohawk walks up and grabs her around the waist. “Where'd you go?”

She glances at me and then takes his hand. “Nowhere, let’s get out of here.”

I watch them walk away into the darkness and a strange feeling courses my veins. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s uncomfortable. I walk over to the cooler and sure enough, both bottles are sitting in the ice. One is half full, but the other hasn’t been opened. A few other kids are dancing around the fire and I almost take a seat to wait until she comes back so I can kick this kid’s ass for getting fresh. I know what I was thinking at sixteen years old and quite frankly it’s weird as fuck to think of her acting in that way. I know she’s a young woman now and it’s impossible not to notice her new developments as she has gotten older, but she’s Dani. She’s supposed to be this super smart, wise beyond her years little girl. Not a beautiful young woman and I don’t exactly know how to feel about it.

It’s 1:00AM and most of everyone has already turned in for the night. Maverick is upstairs, Gerry and Stone crashed about an hour ago, and the main room is empty. Except for me. I’m sitting on the couch, waiting for her to get back. Hopefully I can talk some sense into her and keep her from getting knocked up before she graduates. The kitchen door slowly creaked open and I waited for her to round the corner. She comes through, busy adjusting the buttons on her shirt, so she doesn’t notice me.

“Enjoy yourself?” I ask.

She jolts, then rolls her eyes. “Nice Travis. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Come sit down.” I pat the couch beside me.

She eyes me for a second, but reluctantly does as I say.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush Dani.” I light a cigarette. “Are you a virgin?”

She laughs and crosses her legs. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Well as your brother I feel it is.”

“You are not my brother,” she mutters.

I know I’m not, but it feels safer to go that route, considering the topic.

“Answer the question.”

“Are you?” She sasses.

“Princess, I think you already know the answer to that.”

She blushes. “Yeah. I am aware of why they call you Dom.”

I chuckle and blow smoke from my lips. I turn to her and wait patiently for her answer.

Her eyes flicker to mine, then to the floor. “No.”

“Who was it?” I growl.

“See, this is exactly why I didn't want to tell you!” She stands from the couch. “Now you and Maverick will go all psycho and try to hurt him.”

“You’re sixteen. You can’t just be giving it out to any guy who looks your way, Daniella.”

“Oh, so I’m a whore now since I’m not a virgin?” She scoffs.

“No, I didn’t say….” I scrub a hand down my face. “I just want you to be careful. Most guys just want a piece of ass at your age. They don’t give a shit about you, just getting off.”

She nods, then shakes her head with a breathy laugh. “Good to know my boyfriend doesn’t give a shit about me.”

Boyfriend?

“You have a boyfriend? Is it the mohawk kid?” I sit up straighter and look her in the eye.

“I’ve had the birds and the bees talk with mom already. And dad knows I have a boyfriend, so you can chill. You're a little late to the party.”

She walks to the stairs and wraps her palm around the banister. “Don’t lose sleep over it, Travis. I’m growing up whether you want me to or not.”

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