Page 72 of Dismantle & Prevail

“Thanks Ace,” she says before returning her attention back to the chat.

Resilience Chat:

Aries (Taylor): Absolutely. I will send my number over immediately. Please pass along that she is welcome to come to Braveheart any time and I will help her as much as I can.

Andi: I will. We offered her a place here, but if she feels more comfortable with you, we will get her on the first plane to Calgary.

Aries (Taylor): Thank you Andi. One more thing, did the spineless men get theirjust desserts?

Andi: Oh Taylor, we clearly don’t know each other. But I can assure you that they got their dessert and then some. Have a good rest of your night lovebirds.

Taylor types her goodbye and exits the chat, the footage of the party playing on her screen.

As we watch the footage, I ask, “How do you feel now that you know they are safe?”

Relaxing in my arms, Taylor lets out a sigh. “I feel fine. It pisses me off to no end that they were still stuck in there. Especially Melody. She is one of the bravest souls out there. She inspired me to be as headstrong and assertive as I am, but then she disappeared. I had hoped she escaped, but a big part of me thought she was eliminated due to her perseverance. The girl I saw in that ballroom was not the same girl I once knew. That girl was broken and defeated. I just hope she takes me up on my offer and comes to stay with us.”

Kissing her temple, I nod. “I know and we will—” My words freeze as I catch sight of the footage.

It’s as if I’ve seen a ghost and I quickly motion for Taylor to rewind. “Quick, replay the last five seconds.”

She does, and I hit the spacebar, pausing the video as a ghost appears on the screen. Anger, vengeance, and fear racing through my body.

Taylor’s brows furrow, and she flashes me a questioning look. “Do you know him?”

“Yes. He is—someone from my past,” I say, not wanting to give away the full truth, knowing she will insist on helping once she puts the pieces together.

“Ace. Are you going to elaborate or just stare at him like you want to kill him through the screen?”

Tapping her side so I can slide out from behind her, I climb off the bed with my phone in hand. “He’s just someone I thought had been dealt with. Nothing for you to worry about, but I would like to get home sooner rather than later.”

I move to grab our bags, placing them on the bed.

“Aries. What are you not telling me?” Taylor asks, standing from the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. Her wet, long dark hair hanging down her back.

Closing the distance between us, I press a kiss to her cheek. “Hellhound. Just trust me and don’t get involved. I have this handled. Now put some clothes on. Can’t have everyone at the airport staring at what’s mine,” I say, and make my way to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.

As soon as the lock clicks, all the air escapes from my chest. I try to take a deep breath, but it is useless and I fumble for my phone. My hands shake as guilt eats me alive as soon as I see the background again.

I had to. She can’t know. It’s the only way I can keep her safe.

Pulling up Boone’s contact, my fingers fly across the screen as I send a text that I know is going to rock his world just as much as it did mine.

Aries: Clay is alive.

Boone: Please tell me I read that wrong.

Aries: No.

Boone: Come home. Now.

Aries: On my way. Ready the team.

Boone: Already on it. I’m going to fucking kill him.

Aries: Not if I get to him first.

Boone: Does Taylor know?