Page 109 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part One
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TYLER
It’s been a little over a week since Keon got shot. He’s healing well, just has to keep his arm in a sling. We’ve been hurt in the field more times than I can count, but this time felt…different. We were always worried before, sure, but when Ari relayed what was going on, I could feel my heart seize in my chest. For Keon and Gavin.
I also didn’t know what to do about Gavin’s nightmares this time. They seemed way more intense, and nothing I did helped. He was spiraling back to that place in his mind where he refused to talk, and I felt useless.
I’m pacing my room when I hear voices coming from downstairs. I recognize Kira’s soft voice immediately, but it has a hard edge to it. One that I haven’t heard before. I make my way downstairs to see what’s going on. Ari and Kira are in a stand-off in the living room. Ari’s arms are crossed over his chest, and Kira’s hands are planted on her hips. Leaning against the entryway, I wait to see what’s going on.
“I can do this, Ari. All I have to do is talk to the guy.”
“I said no,Mal’akh,and that’s final.”
Kira’s eyes narrow to little slits, and I have to fight back a laugh. “You aren’t my boss. I already have the device. Now, all I have to do is spend ten minutes with him.”
“No.” Ari’s tone is final. I know because I’ve heard it a million times before. “You aren’t putting yourself at any unnecessary risk. We’ll find another way.”
Kira throws her hands in the air. “There is no other way. He might have the information that you need.”
“And we’ll get it,” Ari says slowly, “another way. I already have Jason refusing to stop going to the bar. I’m not going to put you in the middle of it.”
Kira steps forward, and I actually see Ari’s eyes widen in surprise when she jabs a little finger in his chest. “I’m putting myself there. I want to help. I’m not a little kid anymore, and you aren’t my brother. I have his class today, and we always meet after. You could have the answers you need.”
Ari drops his arms from his chest, and he doesn’t say anything for a while. I don’t know if he’s waiting for her to back down, but she isn’t going to. He finally sighs. “No.” He walks away before she can argue, and she growls in frustration.
“Just for the record,” she calls out at his retreating back. “You’re a bigger ass than Kane!”
Ari’s shoulders stiffen, but he doesn’t stop walking. I step from my hiding spot and slide my arms around her waist. She melts against my chest, crossing her arms over mine. “You don’t need his permission.”
“I thought I was doing the right thing by telling him. But it turned into…whatever this was. I just want to help you guys.”
I turn her around and lay my hands on her hips. She wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest. “I know you do. So, that’s what we’ll do. Gavin and I will be close.”
Kira peeks up at me. “What about Ari?”
“He can spank me for it later.” I grin at her, and she laughs. “Seriously, he’s just under a lot of pressure. I’m going to get Gavin, and we’ll take you to campus.” I kiss her softly because I can’t help myself. I find myself wanting to touch her all the time. Hold her hand, wrap my arms around her, or kiss her.
I let her go to grab her stuff and go out on the back patio to find Gavin. He said he was going out here earlier to clear his head, but I know all he’s doing is stewing.
“Hey,” I say when I step outside. “We need to go.”
Gavin nods and slowly stands from the lounger. He looks like he’s aged ten years in the past week. His eyes are shadowed, and his face is back in that permanent scowl. With a sigh, I walk back inside to the garage to wait for Kira. She comes down a minute later, and we all slide into one of the many borrowed cars Keon got. I’m still pissed that I can’t drive my Camaro because of Ari’s creepy fucking stalker.
I fill Gavin in on the plan with Professor North, and he grunts in answer. “Tell me how you really feel,” I say dryly.
“What do you want me to say?” His voice sounds so defeated that I just want to fucking shake him. “It’s smart.”
I glance at Kira, and she gives me a sad smile but doesn’t say anything. She can’t seem to get through to him either, and it isn’t for lack of trying. We pull into the campus parking lot, and I shove the car in park. We’ve made ourselves less noticeable, but we always stay where we can see her. She pushes her door open before I can get out of the car to do it for her. She pecks my lips, gives Gavin a sad look, and climbs from the car. I watch her disappear into the building before I turn sideways in my seat so I can see him.
“What can I do?” I can’t keep the desperation out of my voice. I can’t stand seeing him like this again. “Tell me so I can help.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Ty.”
“You can’t keep blaming yourself. What happened to Keon is not your goddamn fault. And I hate to break it to you, but it won’t be the last time one of us gets hurt.”
“That’s supposed to make it better?” Anger flares in his eyes as he sits forward.Good.Anger is better than that dead look he’s had in his eyes. “I’m just supposed to wait for the next time someone gets fucking shot?!”
“You knew all this going in, Gavin. We’re feared, and we’re hated. People would rather shoot us in the back of the head than get taken down by the Saviors.”
