Page 61 of Dismantle & Prevail

I try to keep up, but when Ari’s lips brush against my ear, all the chatter falls away.

“Don’t worry, Butterfly. I can promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“Ari! What the hell?” I exclaim, trying to hide the fact I am now thinking about Ari’s dick.

What the hell is going on right now?

As if Aries can read my mind, he places a quick kiss on my lips and pulls me into him, his chest vibrating with laughter.

Aries: Infinity

Taylor: Fucking obliterated by Aries Clark.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Aries

“Pleasetellmeyouhave something? It's been months, Ari.”

Boone asks from his place next to me at the table in The Heart.

Leaning back in my chair, my arms stretch high above, then move to grip the back of the chair. I stare down the long table, men lining each side.

It’s been months, and we have nothing. Not a single damn crumb on the masked man that flipped my world upside down. To say I’m beyond frustrated is putting it lightly.

Mission volume hasn’t slowed, and I know my team is exhausted. We are all running ourselves into the ground, well, all of us except me.

That’s all about to change, though. Dr. Link officially cleared me and recommended I return to work.

It's closing in on seven months since my rescue from that cage and I am just finding my ground to come back to the thing that I hate to love.

Shaking my head, I mutter, “No, but let's discuss this after so we can get the guys out of here.”

Boone nods. Zoro and Indy, who sit on my other side, follow suit.

“Alright folks,” I say, grabbing everyone’s attention, the chatter in the room immediately falling silent. “I know you are all exhausted. I am told that there are rumors of a new team moving in close to help with coverage along the Northwest sector of the US. I don’t have a timeline, but as soon as I do, you will be the first to know. Until then, I appreciate all of you for working your asses off.

“Which leads me to my next point. I have been cleared to come back to work. I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone for filling in during my absence and ensuring the team still ran flawlessly. I am proud of each and every one of you. Braveheart is lucky to have you all.”

“Welcome back, Prez!” Tombstone yells from the other end of the table, eliciting an uproar of clapping from the entire team.

I wave them off and quickly the applause settles. “Thank you all, but you should be the ones celebrated.”

“Take the compliment, Prez. Stubborn motherfucker,” Zoro mutters before popping a cigarette in his lips.

Leaning forward, I pull the cigarette from his mouth and toss it behind me.

“Hey!” Zoro exclaims.

I shrug, dismissing him and running a hand through my hair. “You know better than to sass me during a meeting. I know I’ve been gone, but did you forget who is in charge here?”

“No, he didn’t, Prez. My apologies for my husband’s lack of decorum. He’s been trying to quit smoking. Clearly it's not working and frying his brain.”

A chuckle escapes me. “No worries, Indy. Even us seasoned guys need to be checked every once in a while.”

I glare at Zoro for a moment before smiling and turning my attention back to the team.

“Alright. Let’s get this meeting started so you can sleep before we have to head out.” I pause and turn my attention to Boone. “Boone. Start us off, please.”