Page 92 of Dismantle & Prevail
Taking a step back, I hold out his cut. The all black leather vest complete with Braveheart’s logo stitched on the back. Prez sprawled across the top in bold, white letters. “You haven’t been yourself since the moment you came back from that prison. And now you are moments away from getting a piece of your heart back. It's time you show this team and yourself that you’re ready to lead them on the most important mission of your life.”
The wind whips through our hair and I watch as his face slowly morphs from fear stricken to a devious smirk.
Ari takes a step forward, takes his cut from my outstretched arm and shrugs it on.
The moment his cut is in place, I hand him the stuffed pink bunny with Rayne’s initials on the feet. His dark eyes water and I have to look away so I don’t burst into tears and can’t say what I know he needs to hear.
“I know you’re afraid she may not remember you. There’s no telling what she has been through, but I thought if she had a piece from her past, maybe she would feel safe amongst the chaos. And just maybe, it would spark a memory of the man who once gave it to her.”
Tears flow freely down Ari’s face as he hugs the bunny. Swiping at a rogue tear that escapes my eye, I step into him and place a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Aries Clark. Now address your team, so we can go get your girl.”
Not hesitating for a second, Ari wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me tightly against his chest as he taps one hand over his heart.
“One heart. One purpose. One Destiny.”
A circle forms around us. “For the brave and the fallen.” A simultaneous thump echoes throughout the crowd and the damn breaks, tears flowing freely down my face.
Leaning his head to meet mine, Ari swipes at the tears that slide down my face. “Let’s bring our girl home.”
Our girl.
I’m coming for you, sweet girl, and I will end any sad sack that gets in the way of returning you to your daddy’s arms.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Aries
“Ace.Gothere.Weneed to brief the team.”
Taylor’s voice cuts through the comms system and I signal the team to follow me into the lot.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, my voice low and heated.
“Ace,” Taylor warns, her voice just as heated as mine.
“Hellhound?”
“Stop.” The entire drive I listened as she and Tombstone went through every viable plan until they found the perfect one.
And I’ll admit, listening to my woman command and take charge was just the distraction I needed before walking into the lion's den.
Killing the engine to my bike, I watch Taylor, Tombstone and Tucker pull into the parking lot. Immediately, I’m at her door, helping her out and placing a heated kiss on her soft lips.
When I pull back, we are both breathless and I don’t waste a second before guiding her to the front of the truck, the entire team forming a semicircle around us.
The longer we take, the chances of Rayne slipping away grow stronger. We need to get a move on, but not before Taylor tells us exactly what we need to do. This may be a mission of life or death, but I will not send my team into open fire without somewhat of a plan of attack.
A lump rises in my throat at the sight of my entire team. Every mission is important, but this one will make or break me.
I couldn’t ask for a better crew to help me bring my daughter home.
Clapping my hands together, “Alright team. Thank you for all coming out here. Once this is all over, I will find a way to thank each and every one of you. But in the meantime—” Pausing, I motion towards Taylor and Tombstone, who are deep in a hushed conversation, not listening to a word I say. Clearing my throat, I can’t help but chuckle at their heads snapping up as if they just got caught. “Take it away, you two.”
Zoro comes to my side, handing me my comms system. I place it in my ear as Tombstone directs the group into teams of three while holding onto Taylor’s laptop.
Taylor’s eyes are locked on a multi camera view of Clay’s warehouse and only glances away when Tombstone finishes.
“Alright. First, Boone, Indy, Rocky?” She calls them and they all step slightly forward into the circle. “You will be team leads. Be my eyes and ears. Narrate everything. Signal from inside the warehouse is spotty and we need all the information you can deliver if we are going to get all of you out of here safely.”
