Page 32 of Sanction

“What time do you do the switch?” Maverick asks the prospect.

“Midnight. Viper doesn’t want to raise any flags with anyone seeing us going in and out.”

“Then we need to be in place before then. Hit 'em right after the new ones come. They won’t be expecting it,” I tell them after a long exhale of smoke.

“Alright. We get there by elven, keep watch, then make our move about 12:30. I want in and out. We don’t leave any Serpents alive,” Maverick growls.

The prospect's eyes widened.

“Except him.” Maverick points to the boy. “He stays untouched.”

Everyone nods in agreement and Maverick grabs a bottle of whiskey. I know he just wants to numb the pain, hell, I do too, but today we can’t.

“Mav…” I keep my tone low so no one sees our exchange. “I need you straight.”

He pauses and his tired eyes meet mine. He must see my emotional state because he twists the top back on the bottle and places it on the bar. He reaches out for my hand and pulls me in for a brotherly hug.

His palm slaps my neck. “Brother, let’s go get our girls.”

He has no idea how that statement affects me. Our girls.

The tension in the clubhouse was visible. When shit was going down everyone that entered could always feel it. We had to get in the right mindset. Be prepared to do things we might not want to, but need to. I don’t give a shit what I have to do, I’m getting them back.

I found Rico alone in the corner of the main room. He looked nervous and I know he feels out of place.

“Hey,” I say as I approach him.

“Sir,” he answered and it almost made me smile.

“I need you to do something for me. When you go in tonight, I need you to let Dani know we are coming.”

“What about the other one?” He asks.

“Tanner doesn’t understand like Dani does. She’s not from this world, so her trust in others is different. Dani won’t trust you. She knows the stakes for a brother who rats, so if you try to help her in any way without proof, she won’t trust you.”

“Alright. What do I need to do?”

“I need you to give her this.” I pull out the beaded bracelet from my pocket. I roll it between my fingers before I hand it to him. “Give her this and tell her Travis said he’s got you.”

“Okay I got it.”

My gut rolls with anxiety. “This is important, kid. And stays between us.”

“Yes, sir. You have my word.”

I offer out my hand and he takes it with a firm grip.

After wandering the room, making sure our plans were securely in place, I head upstairs to my domain where I can get level. Get my mind on the game. I need to prepare myself, not just for saving my sister, but saving the girl I love. Because once I get her back, this time I’m not letting her go.

Chapter 19

Daniella

It’s dark out. I can tell it’s nighttime by the sliver of moonlight coming through the small opening in the tin foil that’s covering a window. My wrist aches, so I reach over with my now free hand, and raise the metal off the bruise it’s caused. For some reason I guess they felt like showing us some “grace” by letting us have one hand to feed ourselves. Yeah, trying to eat a sandwich from a plate by your mouth alone is an odd form of torture. I’m not sure why the change of heart. I feel like this kid may have something to do with it. He just came in a few minutes ago, then left quickly. His eyes were full of an emotion I couldn’t make out, but he seemed off.

Tanner hums a tune to herself as she traces an invisible shape on the faded wallpaper. God, we look like we should be committed. Our hair is dirty and there is a strong possibility I’m reeking with body odor. Our feet are bare and I don’t even want to address the panty situation. My head rests against the wall and a deep sigh leaves my chest. This can’t be happening. Maybe I am really in a coma and this is all a horrible dream.

The creek of the door reminds me that I am in fact, not in a coma, but a fucking nightmare. A living one. The young kid walks towards me with a serious expression. He crouched down in front me as he fidgeted with a loose shoe string from his boot.

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