Page 3 of Sanction

I stand at the kitchen sink with a cold cup of coffee in my hand. It’s one o’clock in the morning and just like every night for the last week I can’t fucking sleep. One week. That’s how long they’ve been gone. I don’t think a single one of us has let our eyes close for one second. We’ve been doing everything possible to find them, but Maverick is spiraling like I have never seen. It’s like they disappeared off the fucking planet.

The pain in my eye socket throbs as I dump my shit coffee down the drain. Hanging my head, I lean against the counter. Tanner. She doesn’t deserve any of this. All I wanted to do was protect her. That’s all I’ve ever wanted and now she’s suffering because of me. I guess my father’s words ring true. I really am worthless. I left to shield her. To keep her from knowing what a screw up I was.

My chest burns when my focus shifts. The other person who doesn’t deserve this. Her. My obsession. My weakness. The one fucking thing I’ve always thought I couldn’t have because I would destroy it. I would destroy her, then it would destroy him. My best friend. The family that took me in.

I reach in my pocket and grip the thin beaded bracelet in my hand. I always carry it with me. She gave it to me. She’s the only person who can’t see the piece of shit that I really am. I've tried to warn her. I’ve tried to show her what I am. She still holds on. I’ve treated her like garbage, hoping that will scare her away. Hoping she would see I’m no good and she deserves someone better. Someone who’s her own age and hasn’t committed the sins I have. She’s relentless. So, fucking strong and sure of herself. Unlike me. She lives in my mind. Day in and day out she’s always been there in one way or another. Things escalated the night she pressed those luscious lips to mine. I knew it was wrong, but I indulged anyway.

Crossing the kitchen, I walk into the main room where Maverick leans over the desk, watching Boston on the computer.

“Motherfucker!” He shouts as he sends his beer bottle crashing against the wall.

His hands rake through his hair as I take in the dark circles under his eyes. They resemble mine. He’s missing his sister and the love of his life. So am I. He just doesn’t know that.

“He had to have moved them across state lines,” Boston says as he examines the multiple screens displayed in front of him.

“How many times have you watched the security footage from the store?” I ask.

“A million fucking times. They parked in a blind spot.”

I slump down on the couch and rub my eyes.

“I’m telling you all right now, the minute I find them, Viper is a dead motherfucker,” Maverick growls as he paces the room.

We tried tracking their phones. Dead end. We’ve busted into every known location of Viper’s crew. Dead end. I know he won’t kill them; he needs them as leverage. He’s stringing us along. Making us squirm and wait until he makes a move. The thought of what he and his crew are doing to my girls makes me straight murderous.

“There’s gotta be something we are missing,” Widow adds as he lights a cigarette.

“I’ve looked at everything with a fine-tooth comb at this point. There’s nothing.” Boston tosses his hands up, letting them thud against the arm rest of his chair.

The room falls silent, then the ping of an incoming message has us all scrambling to the computer. Boston opens the window and two pictures come into view. The first is Tanner, with her hands chained to a metal rod attached to a wall. Uneasiness waves over me and my skin grows cold. Another comes in. Daniella. She’s in the same position with chains around her wrists.

“Fuck!” I shout as I spin around. “I can’t do this.” I shake my head.

“Look, there’s a message,” Boston says as he moves to another window.

You’re a smart man, Maverick. You know what I want. But now I’ve expanded my demands. I want full rights to your territory. Refuse and they die. Simple. You have 48 hours.

I need to hit something. Now. I take off up the stairs and into my room. As soon as the door slams my fist connects with the sheetrock, leaving a gaping hole to match the others around the room. I can’t lose them. Tanner is my only blood family left. My sister. I’m supposed to protect her. Then there's her.

Chapter 3

the past

Daniella

Dani 7 years old

Travis 16 years old

I wrinkle up my nose and glance down at the grease that coated my tiny palms. Mom gave me specific instructions to not get my brand-new sundress dirty when we stopped by my dad's mechanic shop. I couldn’t help it; I like to tinker with things. I also love to explore the shop. There is so much to learn. Preach taught me how to change a tire last week. I mean what seven-year-old girl knows how to do that? This one.

Widow was working on a royal blue mustang and I couldn’t control my curiosity. He lets me help sometimes and he even lets me drive around the parking lot when my mom’s not here. He’s probably my favorite, but don’t tell Preach.

I tried my best to keep my hands held away from my dress as I snuck into the office. If I can make it to the sink before she sees me, I can escape a lecture, or worst case scenario the wooden paddle.

My feet barely stepped onto the faded linoleum when I heard my mom's voice.

“Daniella Monroe LeBlanc.”

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