Page 14 of Dismantle & Prevail

A collective groan from all three of them echoes throughout the room.

“Tuck, go with Reagan and Taylor to the hospital. Don’t let them out of your sight,” Boone orders. He starts to walk away, but turns around at the last second, his attention directed at me. Something passes over his face and I know he must be feeling the same way I do. Fucking useless.

Lowering his voice and locking his eyes with mine, he says, “I know you are struggling, Taylor, but you’re of no use if you’re hurt. Get your head on straight and get back in the game. We will find him. Because the second we do, it will be my ass that gets kicked for letting something happen to you.”

I want to ask why he keeps saying that, because why would Aries care? But I don’t. Now is not the time.

With the help of Tucker and Reagan, I stand, Reagan holding my wrist.

“Thanks, Bo. But I can handle my own. No need to worry.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but stops himself and walks out.

I don’t have a second to let my mind wander to what he wanted to say, because Tucker is dragging me out of the room. “C’mon. I can’t wait to see what Taylor on pain meds is like!”

Reagan reaches around me and smacks the back of his head and Tucker leans forward, sticking his tongue out at her.

As Reagan’s truck pulls past the gates of the compound, the doors open, Boone leading the pack as Indy and Zoro follow behind him.

Tucker hops out from the back seat and my door flies open. Offering his hand, I narrow my eyes at him, but take it anyway and hobble out of the truck. My mind is still a little dazed from the pain medicine.

Reagan meets us at the front of the truck, and we walk towards the guys.

“What’s the verdict?” Boone asks.

Lifting my arm from beneath my jacket, I show them the air cast. “Sprained. Not broken. Will be in this for four weeks.”

Zoro lights his cigarette and leans against the metal wall of the Clubhouse. “Damn Tay. You’re lucky it’s not broken.”

Indy adjusts his beanie over his buzzed head and steals Zoro’s cigarette. Zoro narrows his eyes at Indy and pulls him so that his back is to his chest, his tattooed arms wrapping around his husband's waist.

Indy looks back and places a loud kiss on Zoro’s lips before turning his attention to me. “Taylor, honey, I don’t mean to go all dad on you, but you need to be careful. You may think that you’re not a crucial member of this team, but you are. And we need everyone to be the best right now to find Prez.”

I nod, trying to tamper down the ball of emotion working its way up my throat.

Boone nods in agreement. “What Indy said. Now it’s been a long day. I think everyone could use some sleep.”

We all agree and make our way into the Clubhouse and head toward the living quarters.

Reagan waves goodbye as she and Tucker turn down their hallway, making me promise to call if I need anything. And Zoro and Indy do the same. Leaving me and Boone alone.

I’m just about to open my door when a hand on my arm stops me and I turn to look up at Boone. His face breaks my fucking heart and I want to hug him, but I don’t. Because I know the second I do, I’ll break down…again.

“We are going to find him, Tay. We have to. That man saved my life, and I threw a wrench in his that destroyed everything he loved. I cannot fail him. Not again.”

A million and one questions flood my mind at his words, but I don’t act on any of them. Instead, I meet his dark gaze and muster up every ounce of strength I can to form a smile and say, “We will.”

With that, I walk into my room and close the door, sliding down the other side until I hit the ground.

A lamp on my bedside table bathes the room in a dull golden glow, and my head leans back against the door.

“Where the hell are you, Aries?”

Chapter Six

Taylor

Agroupoffourmen and three women file out of a black Suburban, and I instantly know they are all brothers, which can mean one thing.