Page 9 of Dismantle & Prevail

Memories from the past make their way to the forefront of my brain, but I quickly push them away.

Don’t go there, Taylor. Not now. Focus on Aries.

“So. We go knocking on every door in the area where he was scoping out and beat the shit out of them until they give us answers.”

Tuck’s excitement is evident on his face as his head bounces between Boone and me, desperate to get his hands on someone.

“Absolutely fucking not. Aries would bring me within an inch of my life if I let you anywhere near this.” He’s looking at Tucker, but I know his statement is more directed at me.

Damn Aries and his overprotective, hovering behavior.

Sitting up, I cross my arms over my chest and run my thumb against the tattoo on my ribs that always grounds me in situations where I want to run and hide in a closet as a panic attack overtakes me.

Bravery is fear’s worst nightmare.

“Aries doesn’t control what I do, and neither do you, Bo. I appreciate you both looking out for me all these years, but I’ve been on countless missions with Ari. You know him. He would never bring me if he didn’t think I could hold my own.”

Boone’s head falls back against his chair. “Tay, I do not doubt your ability. I call you a badass at least once a day, but this is different. I can feel it in my gut. This isn’t just him disappearing for a few days because of a bad mission. Something is wrong and I will not put either of you in a situation that could get both of you killed.”

I want to argue, but I don’t. Instead, I fall back against the chair because I know he’s right. Something is wrong. That’s why I was in Bo’s office at the ass crack of dawn today. And clearly I’m not the only one.

Silence fills the room for just a moment, and my mind wanders.

Where the hell is this man that annoys me to the point of wanting to pull my damn hair out one second and then the next is the most caring person I have ever met?

Panic starts to rise in my chest.

I need to find the man who took me off a path that was bound to kill me.

The room grows smaller and just as I am about to run out, Tuck stands and backs up towards the door.

“Sooo, what you’re saying is you care about us? Awww Booney, that’s so cute. I really wish I could have recorded it to play when you threatened to kill me again.”

Boone’s control snaps, and he stands, sending the chair flying backward. He makes it one step around the desk before Tuck is bolting out the door.

I try to hide my panic, turning to laughter, but I can’t and his head snaps towards me.

“What? It was funny!”

Boone looks to the door Tuck just ran out of then back at me, his face full of concern and defeat.

“I’m calling the team in. We need to find Ari. Now.”

I stand and move to walk out of the room, knowing he needs privacy.

His hand on my arm stops me, and his dark brown eyes stare down at me. “We will find him.”

Stealing my spine, I pat his hand. “I know.”

I walk out the door and the second I hear it latch behind me; I lean against the wall and take a deep breath.

Where the hell are you, Ari?

Chapter Four

Aries

DarknesssurroundsmeandI can’t help but wish it would swallow me whole.