Page 77 of Dismantle & Prevail
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aries
Taylorsitstomyright, her fingers tracing the small rabbit’s ear tattoo on the top of my hand.
After apologizing profusely until Taylor shut me up with her soft lips on mine, we took a shower, then came to The Heart.
As much as I hate that she is once again being roped into my mess, I know I am better with her by my side, even if it scares the hell out of me.
I watch in awe as she traces every line of the tattoo that represents my sweet girl. Taylor knows exactly how to make me feel like she just punched me in the gut while also giving me the best hug of my life.
And with the smile on her face and starry-eyed look in those gorgeous green eyes, I know this girl could ask me for the moon and I’d hijack a damn spaceship just to get it for her.
As if she can feel my stare, she looks up; her smile growing wider.
Damn, I love her.
Simultaneously we lean in, our lips inches from each other when the door flies open with a thud, stealing our attention away.
“Don’t stop on my account, lovebirds,” Indy says, falling into his seat and waggling his eyebrows at us.
Boone, Zoro, Tombstone, and Tucker file in and shut the door behind them.
Boone moves to Taylor’s side of the table. He ruffles the hair atop her head before taking a seat next to her. “You’re in my seat, Tay. You’re lucky I love you or I’d kick your ass to the end of the table,” he says, chuckling and giving me a smirk over her head.
Tucker falls back in his chair, the wheels squeaking against the floor. “Wow. Playing favoritism right in front of me? If I did that, you’d dump my ass on the floor, then laugh.”
“Yep,” Boone says, dismissing Tuck before turning his attention back to me. “So Prez. Want to tell us why you called this emergency meeting?”
“Yeah Prez. I was right in the middle of kicking Zoro’s ass at Call of Duty,” Tombstone complains.
My mouth opens to tell him to cut the complaining, but Taylor beats me to it.
“Hey. Did you or did you not say you want me to train you to be my right-hand man?”
Tombstone perks up in his seat, his eyes going wide with intrigue. “Yes. Absolutely.”
“That’s what I thought. If you want that, I don’t want to hear a damn word out of your mouth whining about not being able to play your stupid video game. Got it?”
Taylor’s eyes subtly shift to me, a look of hesitancy and fear that she overstepped evident on her face.
Reaching under the table, I squeeze her knee resting against mine and nod.
Tombstone nods rapidly. “Of course, Tay. Sorry.” His gaze shifts to mine. “Sorry Prez. Won't happen again.”
“No worries, Tomb.” Looking around the room, I ask, “Anyone else have any grievances they need to express before I tell you why you are all here?”
“No,” everyone says, collectively. Their attention now locked on me.
Pushing Taylor’s laptop towards her, I reach into the middle of the table and plug it in; her screen projecting on the wall behind Taylor and Boone.
“The reason I brought you all here is because you are the best of the best for various different reasons. Most of you know why, but I know some are curious.” I pause, turning my attention to Tucker and Tombstone. “It's very hard for me to trust someone, so when I say this, know that I mean it. If you fuck this up, your ass will be mine and you will be out of here faster than you can say a damn word.”
A swift kick to my shin from under the table has me wincing. Taylor glares at me, and I know I will be paying for that later.
We came to a compromise. I agreed to bring her into this mess, but only if she allowed me to assign her the utmost protection, even if she believes she doesn’t need it.
She only gave in once I agreed to let her pick the people, but I guess my delivery wasn’t acceptable.
