Page 30 of Until the Day You're Mine

For the first time. Willingly. Of his own volition.

His warmth seeps through Rian’s skin.

Rian tries to compose himself and say something, any-fucking-thing without crying, but the tears just keep going. There are so many thoughts pressing on the tip of his tongue.

Stay.

I’m scared.

I need you.

I love you.

Please don’t go.

I don’t want to lose you.

Ty’s eyes dance all over Rian’s face, desperately trying to read him. He looks like Rian feels – like an avalanche of words is threatening to break free from his barely parted lips and bury them in dangerous admissions.

In the end, Cyril breaks the spell of their difficult departure, by throwing his heavy arm over Rian’s shoulder and kissing his hair, muttering, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your Tyger safe.”

They laugh. Ty lets go of Rian’s hand.

Right then – the perfect moment to tell Tayida how he feels is right then. Yet it slips by, as Cyril pulls Rian away for another bear hug and makes another empty promise to return to him soon.

His brother releases him and hurries down the stairs with Ty reluctantly following behind, looking at Rian over his shoulder.

CHAPTERSIX

Tayida – Ty – Beloved One

MARCH 2017

“Sebastian Scott, Ty Wright, and Cyril Owen, you’re up tomorrow. The memo with coordinates is with my secretary. Pick it up on your way out. Get yourselves familiar with the terrain. I expect your reports on your return.” Staff Sergeant Black doesn't even look up from his paperwork when he makes the announcement.

He has had enough of their bullshit. If treating this situation between the three of them kindergarten style is what it takes to resolve the escalating conflict, so be it. They either make good out there and learn to work together under the harsh desert sun or finally kill each other. It is crystal clear he doesn’t care how they resolve their issues, as long as they are out of his hair and off base. He’s run out of patience dealing with their crap.

Tayida being harassed relentlessly by Sebastian Scott is nothing but a nuisance to him.

Scott isn’t the only one to wince at the order, but all three of them know better than to argue about Black’s commands. They are always set in stone. He is yet to be talked out of any decision he has ever made, regarding resolving arguments between his men.

The three of them have been at it hard – arguments, back-and-forth insults, culminating in a physical altercation, which has left Ty with a shiner and Sebastian with a busted lip.

The past few months feel like Massachusetts all over again, only things are quickly escalating to a level they never reached back then. Laying hands on each other, in broad daylight, in front of other servicemen, and making verbal threats is a very dangerous new development in their decade-long standoff.

Ty should know fucking better.

He’s not a skinny scared eighteen-year-old anymore. But this man has been rattling his confidence from the moment he set foot in camp some months ago and will continue to do so until something gives.

Scott represents everything that reminds Ty of how helpless and weak he had been before meeting Cyril. His mere presence is enough to force him to question himself and doubt every decision he is about to make.

Ty has begun wondering if perhaps Scott’s taunts hold some merit after all. Perhaps he really is a worthless waste of space. Maybe he’s advanced thus far, only because of Cyril. He can’t possibly be right. Ty knows it…and yet, his words get to him. He begins wondering if he is the one holding Cyril back.

Is Cyril missing out on bigger advancement opportunities because of him?

Is their friendship ruining Cy’s life?

Poison is what that man is. Scott’s ugly statements have seeped into Ty’s blood and are killing him slowly day by day.

---