Page 24 of Dismantle & Prevail

His mouth opens and I snap my attention forward, not giving him a chance to respond.

The footsteps grow closer and I aim my gun straight at the open cage door.

I can do this.

Save Aries.

A shadow rounds the wall and my finger flutters on the trigger.

The figure moves closer, and I steady my shaking finger.

“Don’t shoot. One heart, one purpose, one destiny. For the brave and the fallen.”

My hands drop and I angle my body just in time for my legs to give out, my ass hitting the concrete with a thud instead of landing on Aries as the Braveheart motto replays in my head.

Boone, followed by Indy, Tucker, Zoro, and Tombstone, file into the cage.

Boone advances on Aries and me like we are timid animals. I watch as his eyes grow with fear and anger at the look of his best friend.

And when I look at Aries, I expect him to be staring up at Boone, but he’s not. His dark eyes are locked on mine. An unknown mix of emotions on his face.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I reach out, threading my fingers through his tattered hands. I expect him to pull away, but he does the opposite. His chest deflates, and he grips my hand with every ounce of strength he can muster.

For a moment, his eyes meet mine and I send a quick thank you to the universe above that he is alive.

“Good to see you, brother. I think it’s time we get the hell out of here. Unless you want to stay down here? It seems…cozy.”

Aries’ gaze breaks from mine at the sound of Boone’s voice.

His eyes slightly roll, and he nods. “Get me the hell out of here.”

Chapter Ten

Aries

Iflashasmileand absentmindedly wrap my arms around what feels like the hundredth person in the last twenty minutes.

The second I stepped foot into the Clubhouse, members and their families were lined up to see if I’m really here. I haven’t been able to make it more than a few feet inside the door.

I don’t blame them because, frankly, I can’t believe it either.

The drive back to Cedar Hill was too fast. Partially because I could barely keep my eyes open for more than five minutes and the other being that Boone drove like a maniac. I insisted I was fine, but he didn’t believe me.

Honestly? I don’t believe myself either.

Zena, Rocky’s old lady, hugs me, and I feel my ribs scream at me in protest. I try to hide the wince, but I must not do a good job because Taylor taps Zena on the shoulder, practically pulling her away from me.

As soon as Zena’s arms disentangle from me, Taylor and Boone are directing me straight to the med bay.

Taylor freaking Morgan.

The moment I heard her melodic voice, I thought I was dreaming.

There was not a chance in hell that the woman the masked demon had spoken about just days before was standing in front of me, the worry evident all over her face.

I didn’t allow myself to believe it until I felt her hands on my face and even then; it wasn’t until I saw a rare tear escape from her hardened exterior that I believed she was right in front of me.

The masked man’s voice filtered through my head and as she spoke to Boone, I knew we were in the midst of a scheme with the purpose of capturing Taylor.