Page 32 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part two
“I’m talking to you,” Tivon answers. “Do you have any idea how exhausted Jason and Kira are from dealing with your bullshit?” Ari’s eyes narrow, but it doesn’t seem to have any effect on Tivon. He walks over until he’s toe to toe with Ari. “Sit.” I watch Ari fight to stay on his feet, but he finally gives in and sits on the side of the bed. “You need to get your head out of your ass and realize that they’re doing what’s best for you, and that they deserve better than the way you’ve been treating them for three goddamn days. I was going to let it go until Jason zoned out more than once today.”
“I don’t need you?—”
“I don’t care what you need. You’re not well enough to move yet. Get over it.” Tivon somehow gets Ari’s legs onto the bed and covered up before Ari realizes what’s happening. Ari growls, and Tivon rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t work on me. The doctor is taking you off the IV meds today, and we’ll talk about moving you afterward.”
“How the hell do you know that?” Ari demands.
“Because I pay more attention than people think. Your team is at the safe house and fine. No one is going to slip past us here, and on the off chance that they do, we have plans in place. Until then, lay your ass down, and quit being such an asshole.”
“I don’t like how you’re talking to me.”
“And I don’t like how you’ve been talking to Jason and Kira,” Tivon barks. I know by this point, my jaw is on the floor at this entire exchange. All I can do is stand here. Tivon gestures to me and walks toward the door. “It looks like you have some apologizing to do, and then I’m taking him to the safe house.” Tivon is gone before anyone can answer, and I look at Ari.
“When did he turn into your guard dog?”
“When you decided to be a prick.” I slap my hand over my mouth, but to my surprise, Ari laughs.
“I deserve that.” Ari gets comfortable on the bed and sighs. “Come here, Sweet cheeks.” I sit on the edge of the bed, and Ari takes my hand. “I know that I’ve been insufferable, and for that, I’m sorry.”
“I know you’re miserable, Ari, but we’re doing everything that we can.”
“Fuck, I know. I feel useless in here.”
I lay down on the bed and lay my head on Ari’s chest. It’s the closest I’ve been to him in days. “You aren’t useless. We aren’t anything without you.” I look up at him. “But you can’t keep treating us like this is our fault.”
“I’m so sorry, Sweet cheeks.” Ari kisses the top of my head and nudges me to sit up. “Let your guard dog take you home so you can rest.”
“Stop calling him that.”
“He was about to take my head off.”
“You deserved it.”
Ari nods. “I did. Go rest, and I’ll see you later.”
I peck Ari’s lips, being careful of his poor face. It’s starting to heal, but it’s still bruised and scabbed. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
When I leave the room this time, I feel better. Do I think Ari’s snapping days are over? No, but something tells me Tivon is the one to control it.
And that just makes things a lot more interesting.
14
KIRA
When I woke up from my nap, I felt refreshed for the first time in days. Ari has been awful, but I was actually expecting it to be worse. I’ve dealt with Kane and Blaze when they’re hurt, I can handle Ari. What I didn’t expect was for Jason to come home and tell us that Tivon put Ari in his place and, more importantly, that Arilistened.
“You’re joking,” Tyler laughs. As soon as Jason got here, he pulled me and Tyler outside to tell us what happened.
“Not at all,” Jason answers. “It was…strange.”
Tyler nods like he’s come to some conclusion. “Daddy energy. I told you!” Tyler claps his hands and squeals. “I bet Ari had a conflicted boner.”
I lose it, and so does Jason. The laughter draws Keon to the little back porch, and he takes a seat beside me, taking my hand. “Do I even want to know?”
Tyler launches into the explanation, adding way more to the story than Jason did. When he’s done, he’s nodding like crazy. “Tivon put Ari in his place.”
