Page 84 of Dismantle & Prevail

My vision blurs and a shadow falls over me, Boone’s face coming into focus as I wipe the tears away.

His face is full of a rare sighting of sadness. “Aries. Talk to me, brother.”

“S-she’s gone and it’s my fault.”

I don’t bother waiting for his reply and fall forward into his chest. Every emotion hits me like a freight train on a course of mass destruction.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Aries

Thesoundofwaterdripping from the ceiling of The Bastille echoes in the barely lit room.

Boone has his back to Zoro and me as he makes dramatic movements of sharpening his machete.

The unmasked man sits tied to a chair suspended a few feet off the ground by thick metal chains, shaking and unable to take his eyes off Boone.

I try to focus on the lone survivor of the attack on Braveheart, but my mind keeps flashing with images of Taylor covered in blood.

Scrubbing my hands down my pants, I wince at the fresh scrapes covering both hands.

After Indy dragged me to the sink, I scrubbed them raw. Not being able to stand the sight of the love of my entire existence’s blood on my hands, soaking into every line and callus.

My legs wobble and I take a step backward, trusting the concrete wall to hold the weight of my grief and sorrow.

Memories of the last few hours replay in my head against my will.

So much blood.

The life draining from her piercing green eyes.

The last words on her lips. “I love you.”

Her last breath.

“CPR IN PROGRESS!”

Tears from members that love her.

Reagan sobbing while performing CPR on her best friend.

Boone holding Tucker as if he was going to crumble into a million pieces.

My heart shattering.

Closing my eyes and seeing the two people I love most in this world and wishing the world would swallow me whole so I could see them again.

A long beep turning into a short, rapid one.

“WE GOT HER BACK!”

“That’s it, Tay. Open your eyes.”

“Aries! She’s breathing! Come here.”

Beeeppppp.

“FUCK. We lost her again. Dammit Taylor, FIGHT!”