Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

TANK

Ronan’s text threw me into a horrible mood as I zipped up my pants and tucked my shirt back in. I couldn’t leave this room without looking just as put together as I had when I came in. There were too many eyes everywhere. Too many curious people looking for a salacious story.

I wasn’t all that famous in my own right, but people knew me well enough to want to dig.

All it took was one leaked photo for my house of cards to crumble. Or better yet, light on fire.

Because I knew that was what it would feel like.

Ronan

Something is up with Orion. He broke down and left. We think he might have too close a connection to M and the case.

That was all he could send without giving away too much. While our phones were encrypted to the highest level, there were still people out there who could hack it if they so choose. Nothing was ever one hundred percent safe.

Tank

I’ll check on him. About to head back.

Arms wrapped around my waist as lips kissed my neck. “When can I see you again?”

“It might be a few days. Cases are piling up. I’ve already snuck out enough as it is. They’ll get suspicious.”

He laughed, turning me to face him. “You’re the boss. Just tell them to mind their own business.”

“Won’t work. My team is my family. They’re going to question me. Want to know why I can’t seem to stick around when I used to be up their asses all the time.”

His growl sent shivers down my spine. He’d made the exact same sound earlier when I’d sucked his cock down my throat.

“You told me I didn’t need to worry about being jealous of your team.”

I laughed at his frown. “You don’t. I meant it as an expression, not reality. The only person whose ass I’ve been inside for quite a while is yours.”

We met in a filthy kiss, our bodies pressing together as we held on as tight as we could. No matter how long we had together, it never felt like enough.

I wanted to stay the night, to hold him until sleep stole him from me. I wanted to wake up with him and know we had the day to do whatever we wanted.

But none of that was possible. Not when he was who he was.

“I’ve got to go,” I whispered against his lips. “Be good until I see you again, ok? I don’t want to have to clean up your messes.”

He chuckled, then slapped my ass. “Pretty sure it’s the other way around, baby. Maybe I should warn you to stay out of trouble.”

“Wouldn’t be worth the words.”

It was an honest reply, though I knew he hated it. My job wasn’t for the weak willed. You needed to accept that trouble was bound to show up. Time proved so.

As I left, I dialed Orion’s number. He answered on the second ring. “Let me guess, it was Memphis who texted.”

Laughing, I said, “Wrong, but close. Ronan.”

“Figured.” He sighed over the line. “Am I in trouble, Dad? Do I need to be put in timeout?”

“No, but I’ll ask this: Do you need a psych eval?”

There was nothing on the other line besides his steady breaths. “I’m not sure how to answer that.”

“Honesty would be preferred.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Could it help? Maybe. Could it hurt? Also, maybe. I’ve done the therapy route and was fine for a while. It’s this case… it’s bringing back bad memories.”

I took the elevator down to my car as he spoke. Once I was buckled in, I switched to Bluetooth.

“We can put you on another case,” I said as I thought through our options. “We’re not in a place right now where you have to be all in. Would that help?”

He agreed without hesitation. “Yeah, it might. I have something I want to take care of too. Something I need time to research.”

I glared at the screen on my dash since Orion wasn’t here for me to scowl at. “What kind of research? Do you need Memphis to look into it?”

“No!”

His shout jolted me. What could be bothering him so much he had that kind of reaction?

Was there something else going on along with his past resurfacing?

“You’d tell me if you needed help, wouldn’t you, Orion?”

“Of course,” he agreed. “But this is just something I need to do on my own.”

“Like how you handled the kid you had me put in a safe house with a nanny?”

We hadn’t talked about it since we saved those women and children, but I needed to bring it up now. All he’d shared was that he knew the kid and the family wasn’t worth sending him back to. I hadn’t questioned it at the time given that the kid wouldn't talk, but now I wondered what connections he might have had.

How did two child trafficking victims know each other when there were that many years between them? And how was I going to explain Orion’s absence to the team?

“If you approve the time off, then I’ll get out of dodge now. I hadn’t gone back into the office yet. The guys will have too many questions I can’t answer.”

I sighed, then rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Fine. It’s approved. I’m on my way back now. They can wait for the details until I get there. Use the elevator in my office. Don’t let anyone see you.”

“Thanks, boss,” he said softly.

“No need to thank me.”

Ending the call, I focused on the rest of my drive. There would be changes needed to ensure no one on the team had to do more work with Orion gone. With this case being need to know, I was the only other able-bodied person who could step in for now. Takeshi was well enough, but with the language barrier, we weren’t going to risk sending him into the field just yet.

I parked in my reserved spot in the garage then pulled up my text messages. I clicked the one labeled with a heart.

Tank

Going to have to go underground for a bit. Team needs me. Will check in when I have time. Sorry.

Tucking the phone away, I trudged inside and went straight to my office. Since I had a private elevator, no one knew I was back. It gave me just enough time to grab the security footage of when I was away to decipher what the hell happened.

I was midway through watching when Ronan barged in my office. “Orion is gone,” he roared.

“Yes, I know. He’ll be away for a bit. I was going to come get you as soon as I finished this.”

He leaned over to look at my screen. I’d switched out the windows the second he walked in so he could see it was an email from the accounting team over payroll or something. To be honest, I hadn’t read the message yet at all. I just needed a cover, so Ronan didn’t pick up on what was going on.

Keeping secrets wasn’t good for the team, but I didn’t have an alternative.

I’d been hiding my relationship for longer than necessary all because the man I cared for couldn’t come out of the closet. And while I wanted to be a selfish bastard, the type that gave him an ultimatum, I couldn’t.

I needed him, or I’d have succumbed to the pressure of this business long ago.

So I took him in tiny doses, keeping myself afloat just enough not to lose my shit on everyone I cared about.

“Let’s go discuss it with the team,” I said when Ronan only stood there huffing and puffing in anger.

Just like I’d done many times before, I’d distract the team until the problems got ironed out. It was the only solution I had for now. One day, I’d get the courage to tell them the whole truth.