Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

ARCHIE

I remembered as a kid being curious about what marriage was. I saw all these adults who got together and were happy living their lives and building families. It was magical, which meant I wanted to be just like them.

As I got older, I saw past the initial thrill of it. I saw that it was hard work, that often people didn't align the way they thought they might. People had arguments over everything from money to how to raise their children. Sometimes it would lead to them splitting up for a period of time. Maybe getting back together eventually. Other times they got divorced. It was terrifying seeing my friends go through that with their parents — homes being separated and hearts being shattered.

I felt a little less excited about the prospect of it for a while.

Then I got married myself. Maybe I was back to being that whimsical kid again because for as much as I knew it wasn't a perfect situation, I still felt good about the future for me and Takeshi. I had hopes for us, dreams that involved a future where none of this was questioned in its authenticity. People wouldn't see us and immediately remember that we had gotten married because I needed him, and he needed me. They would see a couple in love and happy to be together.

That was my dream.

I knew if Josiah could see me now he would be questioning things. I haven't had time to go visit him since moving out. Part of it was my schedule around the NightShade guys and making sure Takeshi got home and fed.

The rest was due to Josiah’s work schedule. He’d been spending long hours in the office. His boss was a righteous asshole before, but now even more so.

When I asked him about it last time we talked, he told me there was a promotion on the horizon for him so long as he could hold out. I was happy for him, I guess. It's what he always wanted. I just felt like maybe it wouldn't be worth it in the end. Working all those hours and not having any downtime couldn't be good for anyone.

Speaking of downtime, mine was often spent at the NightShade offices these days. We were here from early morning to late in the evening. I'd become accustomed to roaming the halls to keep myself busy while they went over a number of logistics, and my husband listened in closely. Occasionally, he would get their attention to add in a detail they missed.

I didn't have anything to offer them since we hadn’t started the ASL lessons yet. Takeshi and I were still doing our private sessions. There were just more pressing matters at hand.

I rounded the corner to return to the office. My latest lap proved there was no one else around to speak with. Even Jared had gone home for the evening. I took my spot beside Takeshi, then leaned my head on his shoulder as I listened to Memphis speak to the group.

“I finally finished the false identities for the next mission. Based on what I know at this current time, we need to get this uploaded to a server ASAP to give Ajax time to review the profiles. He likes to have what is essentially a tip line of people who say they can get more bodies for him.”

I frowned at that. “So he's got a network of people kidnapping kids for him?”

Memphis winced. “Seems that way. I'm not going to be able to track all of them, but thanks to their need to brag about their exploits, some of them have badges on the site that show they've been there for quite a while. It also lists how many children they've brought in.”

“It says that explicitly?”

He shook his head. “No, however, if you've been around long enough, you know what these codes mean to these guys.”

I sat back in my chair, not wanting to distract anyone from the operation. Takeshi ran his fingers through my short hair, calming me instantly with his touch.

Memphis started up again once he realized I’d finished probing. “As I was saying, it's best if I put the information out there and make it seem as if I can get these children under my thumb. I have to make it believable yet not too cocky.”

Cohen snorted. “Shouldn't be too hard for you then, should it?”

A few of the guys laughed with the joke. Memphis flipped him off, then loaded the images on screen. I stared at them in awe. They looked so real.

“Because they are,” Memphis said. I hadn't realized I said the thought aloud. He continued, “I used composites of multiple children. The eyes are the same colors, but they're from two different people. The lips are different. It's all been enhanced and brightened within an inch of its life. He would never find who they really were based off the images since no singular person looked this way. But it is just within what they like to know that they'll want more.”

Ronan stood, moving over by Memphis to take over. “As Memphis said, we're going to get this up right away. We want to have a plan ready to go as soon as we get a hit on Ajax. Takeshi, do you feel up to going on this mission?”

The room, which had been teeming with murmured voices, dropped to silence. My husband glanced at me, then back at the room before he gave a subtle nod.

I was overcome with an intense need to object. It wasn't because I thought he couldn't do the job. It was more that I was afraid of what would happen when he did. I feared I'd get a call that my husband had been shot like he was before. That someone had tried to take him from me again. I didn't realize how strong the fear was until faced with him going back out there.

Despite my conflicting emotions, I wouldn't stop him.

Finding the Gilded Ones wasn't what our relationship was based on. If I was technically going on what our relationship was based on, it would be a business agreement. I felt even worse about my reaction after that stark reminder. I had no doubt Takeshi had affection for me. I knew there were feelings brewing on his end too. I wondered if they were as deep as mine. If they weren’t, I knew that they'd get there eventually. There was a lot left to learn about one another.

Honestly, with their mission still going on, I expected it to be a while before we were as close as I witnessed the others being. The evil that hurt him was still out there. His team was dedicated to finding it and eradicating it. They had to save these people.

Ronan, who had paused after Takeshi's answer, spoke up again. “It'll be good to have you back. You and I will work on a team with Frost. I'm bringing him in since Orion is currently out.”

He frowned, as if only just remembering the other man was gone. Again, I wondered where he had run off to. Things had seemed fine when we found him in that room last week. With him gone and Tank tight lipped, I had questioned the entire conversation.

Was he actually hurting, and we just didn't see it? Did something else happen that we missed?

Wherever he was and whatever he was doing, none of us were invited. I think that's what stung the most for these guys. They were family after all. One of their own was avoiding their help. I’m sure it felt like a betrayal.

The team went over more of the plan. Most of it included having everyone in place at the designated meet-up spot. It wasn't known to them yet since they figured Ajax was going to pick somewhere he felt he could secure.

Once they knew where that place was, they would have all the safeguards in place to make sure no one could hurt our guys. Godric interrupted near the end, his voice gruff as he asked, “Does that mean I'll be here with the boys?”

His eyes cut my way. I scowled at him. “The boys? Is that what you call us?”

The perpetual frown on his face tipped up into a sly grin. He patted Cohen's knee where it was laid across his lap. “This one here definitely fits the term. And the rest of you are young enough for me to say it without me coming across as a kinky pimp. It's better than calling you kid.”

I rolled my eyes. “You could just say partners. You know, me, Damari, Sinclair, and Cohen are all partners to you guys.”

Cohen perked up. “Wait, are we a harem now?” He turned to Godric. “You didn't tell me, baby. Who do I get to have a go at first?”

Takeshi wrapped his arm around the back of my chair and pulled me closer. The loud screeching noise drew everyone's attention. I was practically on his lap by the time he finished.

Cohen raised his brows. “Looks like Archie is off limits. That means Damari or Sinclair. Which of you men is sharing first?”

Memphis growled. Ronan stood, arms across his chest, with a look that screamed murder. Cohen raised his hands in surrender.

“I was just joking. Geesh! You're the one who said we were all partners first. I'm just trying to be a team player.”

Godric smacked him on the back of the head, to which the men around the room all said, “Thank you” in unison. My heart melted when I witnessed Takeshi do the sign for it as well. He has started picking up things quickly during our lessons, a few phrases and motions that he could use every day. I had suggested he do them as he saw fit. Even if he wasn't the one saying the word, he could make the movement with his hand to get the practice.

Although now I knew he was saying thank you because he wanted his friends smacked, and I felt a twinge of guilt for it. Cohen didn’t seem to mind, which reminded me how I’d been told he was the jokester of the bunch.

Takeshi’s reaction wasn’t a bad one though. My husband was not up for sharing and neither was I. These guys were great, and they did feel like family, but that was as close as we were getting.

“Is there anything else that I should be aware of? I've never been involved in a stakeout. My skills are pretty much limited to interpreting and translating languages.”

Memphis jumped back in. “I believe that might be helpful if there's anyone there speaking amongst themselves that we pick up on microphones. You could help us understand what they're saying so long as you don't mind being on a mic. Sometimes it gets violent though, fair warning.”

I flinched at the words. Takeshi felt it and pulled me closer. His hands ran along my back, then up to the grip of the base of my neck. I swallowed, fighting against the bile that rose up as I thought of him being hurt again.

I was in so deep with this man.

When I found my voice, I answered him, "I'll be okay. I want to help. I do."

“Then you'll help. The others will probably be too wrapped up in their coloring books and movies to pay attention anyway.”

“Or they'll fall asleep," Cohen added. “Damari loves to pass out pretty much anywhere.”

Ronan smiled fondly. “It's a gift he has. I'm sure we all wish we could channel it every time we go on missions.”

There was a wistful sigh that went up around the room. Takeshi looked like he was envious of the fact too, and I know if he could have signed that he might have made one to agree.

I smiled as I leaned over to give him a soft kiss. He was so damn cute, and I was far too infatuated with every little thing he did.

His smiles.

His frowns.

The way his face relayed entire sentences without speaking.

Just a few weeks ago, I was hoping to have that type of connection. And here I was, reading him so clearly. It was amazing what spending all your time with someone could do.

I couldn’t wait to see what else I learned about my husband.