Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

TAKESHI

I knew the day would come.

It didn’t make it any easier.

Orion’s secrets weren’t mine to share. They never had been.

I only knew about them because of who I was. I watched and learned about the people around me for years. He’d only slipped his mask off a time or two in all the years I’d known him. And it was in those moments I started to take note of what was buried beneath those wide smiles and teasing glances.

He’d suffered.

For far too long, if I had to guess.

Ronan stared out the door with a frown. I could tell he wanted to go after Orion, though I didn’t think he had it in him to help the other man. Not right this minute with the wounds being so freshly ripped open.

“I don’t know what just happened, but it feels bad,” Cohen said when no one else spoke up.

Archie folded the paper I’d been writing on, then slid it to his lap. None of the others saw, their minds too wrapped up in our friend.

Memphis slammed his fist on the table. “I’ve missed something.”

When he glanced my way, I shook my head. He winced, knowing what I was trying to tell him.

It’s not your fault.

You didn’t know.

It couldn’t be helped.

None of the words would change how he felt, even if I could say them aloud.

“I think we need to break for a few minutes. We shouldn’t go any deeper into this without Orion, and I have a feeling he might need a bit. And where the fuck is Tank?” Godric threw out.

“He’s in a meeting at the city offices. They’re still having trouble with some zoning something or other. I don’t know. He’s been cagey lately.”

The reminder of his behavior had me questioning if there was even a project in need of all this work. Was Tank simply covering his tracks by claiming he was going to the city building? Or was there something more going on besides his secret relationship?

It was yet another mystery to solve. I felt like that’s all my life had become.

The only solid foundation I had was my marriage, which ironically was built on a business agreement.

Archie took my hand, then pulled me down the hall as the rest of the table split up. Ronan pulled out his phone, likely to text Damari while he worked. Cohen and Godric moved over to their mega desk setup to probably snuggle while Cohen talked out his thoughts and Godric soothed him. Memphis practically ran from his chair down the hall. I had no doubt he was headed to Sinclair with the excuse of needing a cup of coffee.

Meanwhile, Archie led me to the room that I’d once called home. It looked the same as ever, which wasn’t surprising given it hadn’t been all that long since I’d left.

The only addition was the form leaning against the window off to one side.

Orion.

I glanced at Archie, only to see he was as shocked as me to find my coworker and friend in here. Orion likely thought he’d have the run of the place to himself. He had no clue Archie would drag me in here to…

I wasn’t quite sure why he brought me here. Did he want to talk one-on-one? Or did he want to distract me? Possibly with more kissing?

My body heated at the thought.

No. Not now.

I focused on Orion’s back and how it rose at a rapid pace. He was breathing heavier than normal.

“Shit,” Archie said, dropping my hand and rushing to him. “He’s having a panic attack.”

His words had me shooting across the room after him. I’d only ever seen Orion have a panic attack one other time. When he did, it wasn’t a good sight. He’d swung on me, clipping my jaw and leaving a wicked bruise I’d been forced to lie to cover up.

I grabbed my husband in just enough time to pull him back from an irate Orion. Archie gasped, then tucked himself into my side.

Last time this happened, my voice was enough to pull him from the nightmare in his mind. This go around, I didn’t have the luxury.

I squeezed Archie’s shoulder to get his attention. When he looked my way, understanding filled his features.

“Orion,” he called out softly. “Orion, it’s us. Archie and Takeshi. We’re… we’re here for you. It’s ok.”

Surprisingly, the words broke through his haze. He was still breathing as if he’d run a marathon, though his eyes weren’t that glassy hue that meant he wasn’t here with us.

“Takeshi? Archie?” Orion’s voice was raspy and thick. He shook his head. “Fuck. I… that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Archie pulled away from my arms, his body straightening as he took in my friend. “It’s ok, Orion. You didn’t hurt us. We’re fine. See?”

He spun around, then motioned for me to do the same. Once Orion confirmed he didn’t lay a hand on us, his body sunk to the floor against the wall.

I dropped with him, then pulled Archie into my lap. He grumbled about it, though didn’t fight me once he saw the smile on mine and Orion’s faces.

“So this is going well for you two then?” he teased.

Archie blushed. “We’re not here to talk about us, but yes, if you must know, we’re good. My husband is amazing.”

“Is he? Looks like this might be more than a quid-pro-quo thing. Maybe Tank is a matchmaker as well as an asshole.”

I chuckled at the description. Tank would definitely be a good wingman, however, matchmaking wasn’t anything I’d ask him for.

And yet, he’d somehow known Archie and I would work well together. I knew it was still early days though. Things weren’t solidified. We weren’t in love with one another.

There was lust. There was mutual fondness.

But love was yet to be seen.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Archie asked Orion carefully. “I’ve been told I’m a good listener. Or I can talk if you don’t want to? I have lots of thoughts rattling around this big head of mine.”

Orion shook his head, then tipped his head back. “I’m guessing Takeshi figured out why I reacted the way I did. It’s not something I advertise to people, which is why no one aside from Tank knew about my past. I’ve never had a reason to face it before now, you know?”

“The way Takeshi put it, you guys did security before all this Gilded Ones mess, but nothing to this level. I’m sorry you’re having to open up old wounds.”

My husband was a fucking saint. Listening to him diffuse the situation made me wrap him up even tighter. He grinned at me, then turned back to Orion.

“How old were you?”

There was nothing, then he whispered back, “Nine. It was a week before my tenth birthday.”

I laid my head on Archie’s shoulder, no longer wanting to read the emotions on my friend’s face. The small glimpse I’d caught nearly tore me to shreds.

He was hurting.

Even now, his emotions were a mess of confusion, pain, and regret.

Though the last part I couldn’t really pinpoint.

From there, the floodgates opened. Orion gave us his entire story from start to finish. I wasn’t sure how long it took, only that I couldn’t have stepped away if I wanted to.

“So that’s it. Now you both know,” he finished, eyes downcast between his bent knees.

Archie crawled forward, putting himself right in front of Orion. I followed and positioned myself on his side. As he reached for one hand, I grabbed the other.

Orion’s gaze shot up. Tears poured down his face, transforming his normally suave self into the broken boy who just shared his trauma.

“You're brave, Orion. And so, so strong. You’re a survivor, just like the people you recently helped. It doesn’t make you any less to have gone through this. You’re not alone. You’ve built a family who is here to support you no matter what you share with them,” Archie said firmly.

“Thank you, Archie. I’m really glad we found you.” Orion patted his shoulder, then stood and moved to leave. “I’m going to hit up the restroom, then rejoin the group. You two may want to get back in there before they send out a search party.”

Archie snorted a laugh, then leaned into me. “I hate that he’s been through something so bad like that. It’s not fair.”

I kissed his forehead, rubbing my hands over him in what I hoped was a soothing gesture. Our first day at work together led to a revealing of secrets, a need to comfort my friend, and who knew what else. The day wasn’t even halfway done.

The good news: I knew I’d be fine so long as I had my team and Archie at my side. Together we could face these monsters and get rid of them once and for all.