Page 36 of Dismantle & Prevail
I force a smile, despite my mind running a mile a minute. “Of course. That’s what friends are for, right?”
An expression I can’t quite place plays on his face and he nods. “Yes.” He pauses as a yawn escapes him, eliciting the same from me. “Mind if I stay a little later today? I’m exhausted.”
A wave of exhaustion hits me, and I nod. “Stay as long as you need.”
Ari smiles and hugs me to his chest. “I missed you so damn much, Hellhound.”
My head rests beneath his chin and a smile spreads across my face. “I missed you too, Ace.”
Ari’s hand strokes up and down my back, sleep consuming me almost instantly.
Chapter Sixteen
Taylor
Footstepsgrowingclosecauseme 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
