Page 38 of Anything But Convenient

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.

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