Page 34 of Sanction

I scan the floor, fumbling for the key he dropped after he loosened my chains. I grab it, and drag my aching body towards Tanner. I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Pieces of wood scatter across the room as the door gets kicked in by a large boot. I stumble, searching for that feeling of relief, but it never comes. It’s not the Knights who're at the door. It’s another Serpent.

I know one thing for sure, I’m not going out without a hell of a fight.

Chapter 20

Travis

I’m on my second pack of smokes and it’s only been an hour. My hands itch with anxiety and I feel like something is gripped tightly around my throat, constricting my air supply. The air is humid as always and there seems to not even be a slight breeze tonight. A drop of sweat beads down my temple and I raise my shirt to swipe it off.

“You good?” Widow walks up beside me.

I nod. Shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Stay focused. If it gets too much, just signal. I got you.” He slaps a hand on my shoulder.

“Thanks man.”

He steps away and I walk towards Maverick who leans against the front of Tank’s truck. He’s a lot like me. He needs quiet. A spot to think things through and focus on the task.

“You ready?” I ask

He shakes his head. “More than ready.”

“They’re gonna be alright,” I assure him.

“Yeah.” He stares at the ground.

I may be trying to convince myself more than him.

“Dad would be furious with me. Letting Dani get caught up in this.” Maverick lands a fist on the hood of the truck. “And Tanner…” his voice cracks. “Fuck…. I can’t lose her Travis.”

I jerk my eyes to him. I honestly can’t remember the last time he called me Travis. He’s serious and I’ve never seen him this vulnerable. It almost makes me cave. Almost. My heart beats faster as the confession burns on my tongue. Just tell him you coward. Tell him you’re in love with his sister. But I don’t. I don’t because I remember the way I reacted about him and Tanner, and I even punched my best fucking friend in the face for doing exactly what I’ve been doing. For years. I’m a hypocrite and my prideful side is taking the lead right now. So, I just give him the best response I can.

“You won’t. We’re not losing either of them.”

“Prez. It’s time.” Romeo stands a few feet away, worry flashing across his face.

I look at Maverick. We don’t need to exchange words. I pull out my gun and check my clip before I turn around, my focus zeroing in on the trailer at the top of the hill.

Me, Maverick, and Romeo took the front side, while Widow, Boston, Tank, and Knuckles took the back. Buck stayed by the van in case we needed a quick exit. There are seven of us and four of them. We should have this in the bag, especially with Maverick’s order to leave no Serpent alive. We all agreed we would get them back by any means necessary.

I can hear a deep laugh coming from the opposite end of the trailer. With my gun at my side, I creep along the skirting, heading to the rotted deck that leads up to the front door. Maverick is behind me, and Romeo hangs at the corner, covering our backs.

A scream followed by a sob pierces the quiet night. I instantly recognize it’s Tanner.

“Fuck!!” Maverick yells, charging past me and up the stairs.

The commotion steals my focus for a split second. Romeo’s warning doesn’t register quick enough when my eyes catch the Serpent coming across the yard with a gun pointed in my direction. On instinct I duck and the bullet barely misses my skull and barricades into the old wood.

Another shot rings out as I crouch down. I feel Romeo slide beside me. “He’s down, I got him. Go!”

I nod and raise up, jumping up onto the deck and storming through the door Maverick left open. When I step inside the smell of urine and spoiled food hits me in the face. I ignore it, trying to adjust my eyes and take in my options. A hallway leads to my left, where I can hear raised voices. To my right is another hallway. Widow steps through the back patio, his breaths ragged.

“One down out back.” He shouts.

The cries ring out again and my hand grips my gun tighter.

“Go!” He motions to his right.

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