Page 90 of Dismantle & Prevail

Where she should have been years ago before I lost sight of her and let my guard down.

And I know just the woman who can make it all happen.

Taking a deep breath, I straighten my spine and turn to the woman who threw herself in front of a bullet to save my life, knowing I’m about to ask her to risk her life once again.

“Rayne is alive.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Taylor

“Whatdidyoujustsay?”

Ari stares at me, a blank expression on his face. “Rayne is alive.”

My head snaps back and forth between Ari and my laptop.

A small girl with her hair in a ponytail walks down a darkened hallway, a woman close behind her. Their heads are bowed until Clay appears, giving me a good look at their faces.

The second I see her nose and those familiar dark chocolate eyes, my entire body freezes.

Rayne is alive.

Scrambling out of bed, I don’t bother hiding the cry of pain as I rush over to my dresser. As I pull out a pair of joggers, I feel him against my back. His hands grip my waist and I look up at him.

Anger mixed with annoyance and determination covers his face. “Slow down. You will not go if you are going to have no regard for your own safety.”

Spinning on my heel, Ari’s hands glide around my waist, stabilizing me and keeping me upright. “Like hell I’m staying behind. This is your daughter, Aries. Don’t you dare make me—”

Interrupting me with a hard kiss, Aries says, “Did I say I was leaving you behind?”

“No, but—”

His thumb slides under my shirt and brushes against my hip. “Taylor Sloane Morgan, you told me to stop keeping you in the dark. As you can see, I am not running out of here like my ass is on fire.”

“I know but we—”

Another hard kiss to the lips has my eyes fluttering closed for a second. And when he pulls away once more, I glare at him, my nose scrunching.

“No buts. Slow the hell down or stay home. You cannot do your job if you are in blinding pain, Butterfly. I cannot do this without you, so please just take it easy.” His gaze softens and I feel my chest deflate. My body almost collapsing forward into his chest.

“Fine.”

Ari places a kiss atop my head before moving to help me get dressed.

The day I become independent again cannot come soon enough.

Much to my dismay, I am almost breathless, as I sit on the bed waiting for Ari to get ready. My computer dings and I watch as Clay’s location changes from the gas station to an abandoned warehouse a few blocks down the road.

Ari stands at the edge of the bed when he is done, and I slowly stand. A wince rackets my body, and I fight the urge to cry out in frustration.

As if he can sense it, he slips his gun into the holster at his hip and moves to pick me up. I try to protest, but he is lost somewhere in thought as he cradles me against his chest and makes his way to the common room.

The second we step through the doors, all eyes are on us. Everyone stands and Tucker, Reagan, Tombstone, Boone, Zoro, and Indy all run over, concern marring their faces.

With a quick tap to his bicep, Ari sets me down, his hand wrapping around my waist to keep me steady as I gain my bearings.

Boone steps forward and is about to speak when Ari raises his hand, cutting him off.