A small smile spreads across his face, and he chuckles. “There’s my hellhound. Now listen.”
He waits for me to nod and continues.
“You risked your life to save me. You had no idea what you were running into, and yet you did it anyway. What you did was brave and something few people, even the strongest, would have the courage to do. You showed no mercy and went in with your head held high. I am unbelievably proud of you.”
I flash him a small smile and gently pat his hand. “You didn’t have to thank me, but you’re welcome. You would have done the same for anyone here. Figured I’d take a page out of our fearless leader’s book.”
Ari nods, his gaze locked on mine, an unfamiliar look I cannot place on his face.
Silence falls over the room and Ari opens his arms. Hesitantly, I move into his arms, hugging him gently. His bandaged hands wrap around my back and a breath escapes him as his chin rest on my shoulder.
“I’m glad it was you, Tay.”
Sitting back on the bed, I furrow my brows in confusion.
“I’m happy it was you that saved me. If I ever got a second chance, you were the first person I wanted to see. Looks like my wish came true because—-” He cuts himself off and scrubs his bandaged hand down his bearded face. When his eyes meet mine, they are glassy and my stomach drops. “I really fucking missed ya, Hellhound.”
My chest deflates with relief. I have no idea what I thought he was going to say, but it certainly wasn’t that. And in this moment, a simpleI missed youis just about all I can handle.
“I missed you too, Ace,” I say, a smile on my lips.
A yawn escapes both of us and Aries pats the spot next to him, lifting the covers. “Sit with me until I fall asleep?”
“Aww. Big man doesn’t want to fall asleep alone?” I joke, climbing under the covers and resting my back against the wooden headboard.
Aries eyes flutter closed, and he moves to grab my hand again. “Something like that.”
I can’t help the smile that pulls on my face and before I even realize it, my eyes are drifting shut. The comfort of Aries' large comfy bed, lulling me to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Taylor
1.5 Years Ago
“Thankyou,Link.Iwill see you next week.”
“Have a good one, Taylor. You know where to find me if you need to see me before our next session.”
I nod and walk out of Link’s office, the Clubhouse’s on-site therapist.
I head straight for the backyard and make my way to sit at the swings that hang from the large oak tree at the back of the property.
The warm summer sun hits my face, and I allow the warmth to calm me.
I’ve been at Braveheart for six months and I feel myself slowly transforming into the person I want to be. To say I was surprised by all the amenities and assistance within Braveheart’s walls was an understatement.
I was especially shocked that they granted me free rein and access to all of them, considering how my ticket here came about.
Ever since that day, I have felt a sense of guilt hanging over my head. I didn’t know who Aries and the Braveheart team were when I stole the money. And now that I do, I feel like the biggest jackass in the world.
Who steals from an organization that helps victims of human trafficking, kidnappings, and so much more? Then delivers the worst forms of punishment known to man to the monsters that have given Resilience a reason for being present.
As my legs pump back and forth on the swing, I think of how different things could have been if I stayed on the streets.
Aries and the Braveheart team didn’t just give me a home, they gave me a purpose. They took a while to trust me, but when they saw that my hacking skills could be used for good, I quickly found my place.
Every day, I am working hours on end trying to find victims or any information to help with a case. It is stressful but the most rewarding job I have ever had. And even on the days where Aries’ hovering annoys the shit out of me, I wouldn’t change anything.
