Page 16

Taylor

Footsteps growing close cause me to look up from my computer.

Ari, Tucker, Boone, and Indy all make their way into the common room where I have been staring at my computer for hours.

“Tay. Check your emails.”

Indy’s command has me instantly sitting up straight on my stool at the bar and closing out of the latest dead end on Ari’s case.

As soon as I open my email, I quickly scan the mission report.

Missing Persons: Priority Level 1

Mission ID #: 63589

Bailen Thompson

Age 34

Last Known Location: Alberta, Canada

Date Reported Missing: 12/17/2024

Threat Level: Red

Team Activated: Braveheart

Team Lead: Aries/Boone

Team Assist: Valiant

Team Lead: Carter

Team Alternate: Blackbird

Team Lead: Grayson (Landon/Wesley unavailable until further notice)

Notes: Captor is a millionaire that is believed to have taken victim after date. Captor is believed to be violent. Location is highly secured with security system. System will need to be disabled so full team can gain access to property. Father of victim is the reporter and wishes full punishment to be granted.

End Report.

Immediately, I rise from my seat, close my computer, and face the guys. Tucking my computer under my arm, I say, “When are we leaving?”

“I’ve instructed the team to be outside in thirty minutes,” Boone says, his arms crossed against his chest.

Nodding, I step around the group of men. “Understood. I’ll be out there soon.”

“Tay, wait.”

Aries’ voice has me stopping in my tracks and I turn around to face him and the rest of the guys.

Aries face is flat and unreadable, but I can see whatever is going through his head is far from happy.

“Yes?”

“Is there any way that you could take the security systems down from the Clubhouse?”

My brows furrow, and judging by the rest of the group's reactions, we are all equally confused. Everyone here knows that the best chance of taking down a system is being as close as possible.

I flash him a confused look. “With this being such a high priority case and the security system being as strong as it claims to be, it is best I be as close as possible. If I stayed here, that would only increase the chances of becoming disconnected and with how violent this is, losing control of the system for even a second could be the difference between life and death.”

“But you can do it from here if needed?”

A ping of anger rises in my chest and I shift my computer to my other arm, leveling my gaze with Ari. “I’d rather not. Is there a reason you are trying to keep me home?”

His facial expression remains unchanged. “It's too dangerous.”

Shifting my computer to my opposite arm, I make no point in hiding the anger in my voice. “Not sure what is going on in that head of yours, but the last time I checked, this mission is dangerous for everyone. Even more so if I don’t get firm control of the system. So, I’m sorry, Prez, but I will not be staying behind. If you have an issue with it, then maybe train one of the guys to do my job, since there seems to be no issue with the men going.”

“Taylor. Don’t argue with me on this.”

“Too late, Prez. You started this pointless argument and now—” I look down at my watch. “I have about twenty minutes left to get my equipment ready. So if you’ll excuse me, seeing as how no one else is expressing this same sentiment, I need to go get ready.”

“Taylor Sloane Morgan. You will work from here.”

Taking a deep breath, I step toe to toe with Aries. “I will not. If anyone should sit this mission out, it should be you.”

His nostrils flare, and he leans closer into my space. “Last time I checked, you do not make decisions regarding what I can and cannot do.”

“And you will not make a decision that can be the difference in every Braveheart coming back or missing a few.”

I wait for his rebuttal, but he doesn’t say a word. He just stands there, his dark eyes staring daggers into mine.

Not wanting to waste another second of gathering my equipment, I lean in, acting as if I’m going to whisper, but make myself loud enough that everyone can hear me. “According to you, I’m the best hacker you have, so whether or not you want to face the facts, I am needed on this mission. And judging by my proven knife skills, I can hold my own if things were to go south.” I pause and pat a hand against his chest and flash him a smile. “But because you’re so concerned, I’ll take my truck. Just make sure you can keep up. Wouldn’t want a weak little girl leaving your old ass in this dust. See you soon, Prez.”

Spinning on my heel, I make my way to my room. Just as my hand hits the door handle that leads to the bedrooms, I hear voices behind me.

“Damn Prez. She showed you who’s boss!”

I can’t help but chuckle at Tucker’s very true statement.

I don’t bother turning around as I step through the doorway.

I understand that this is Aries’ first mission since his kidnapping, and his fears are heightened by recurring nightmares of losing me to the masked man. However, he cannot keep me locked in the Clubhouse while everyone is out sacrificing their lives.