Page 23 of Dismantle & Prevail

“T-Taylor. You have to get out of here. He’s going to come for you and I c-can’t save you right now.” His voice is full of panic, his chest rising and falling at a rapid rate as he tries to pull on the chains above his head. The skin on his wrist tears, blood flowing from the cuts and dripping down his arm.

Aries doesn’t react. Not even a flinch or groan in pain.

I need to get him out of here now.

Not allowing myself to dwell or dissect what he said, I test the keys on his chains. This time, I quickly find the right one.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve rescued someone from chains, so as soon as the cuffs give way, I catch Aries arms, carefully and slowly lowering them to rest at his side.

His battered body slumps and a groan escapes him, his head falling back against the concrete wall.

Looking around the cage, I search for something to lay his head on and freeze. In the corner is a bucket and a pile of plastic water bottles.

Tears fill my eyes as a clear image of what Aries’ life has been like for two months comes into view.

But I don’t have time to dwell on that when I hear multiple footsteps and yelling sounds from upstairs.

Dammit.

I grab my phone from my pocket and crouch in front of Aries, my hand resting on my holster.

My phone lights up with a call from Boone.

Perfect timing, VP.

Glancing over my shoulder, I answer the call, my eyes locked on a horrified Aries.

“Where are you, Taylor?” Boone yells, gunshots sounding in the background.

“In the basement. I got him.”

There is a moment of silence, but it’s quickly filled with Boone yelling at someone else.

“Is he—” he asks, concern and fear melting through the phone.

“Yes,” I cut him off.

More footsteps sound above me and I sink further into Aries that I’m basically sitting on his lap, but I don’t care. If I have to use my body as a shield, I will.

Footsteps grow closer to the basement door.

“Get down here. Now.”

As the words leave my mouth, I hang up, taking a deep breath, readying myself to face the bloodbath that is sure to come down those stairs any minute.

A hand on my elbow causes me to jump, and I glance back at Aries. His eyes are full of fear and I can tell he is seconds from passing out.

“Please go. He’s coming for you. Run while you can.”

My brows furrow, but I shake my head. “Not a chance. Let him come and we’ll see who makes it out at the end.”

A tear cascades down his face and I feel as if my heart shatters. “Please Hellhound. I’m begging you to run.”

Fear encapsulates every inch of my body, and a shiver runs down my spine at his words. Whatever his reasoning is, it has the bravest man I know scared and begging me to leave when he’s moments from freedom.

I go to respond, but freeze when light filters down from the top of the stairs, footsteps flying down them at rapid speed.

Moving my body to cover Aries as much as I can, I glance at Aries over my shoulder. “Stay strong a little longer. I’m going to get us out of here.”