Page 16 of Charming But Reckless

Tank could change his mind though. Maybe if I convinced him I’d be an asset in other ways, he’d help me with the custody case.

A hand on my arm jolted me so badly, I gasped out loud. I turned to see Sol standing there wide eyed. He’d jumped back at my shock, though he hadn’t gone far.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I was in my head. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He nodded slowly, then moved closer again. I waited for him to indicate what he needed, but he simply looked me over with deep interest.

I wondered just how much he could tell about my intent and mood just from watching me. If he was anything like me or Takeshi, it would be a hell of a lot. It’s what made us so damn good at our jobs.

“Did you need help with something?” I asked when it became obvious he wanted me to lead the conversation.

He shook his head, then tugged at my arm. I turned to face him completely, my body loose to allow him to move me as he needed.

When he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a hug, I froze. I hated myself a little bit for it because he immediately moved away.

“What…” I cleared my throat. “What was that for?”

He frowned, then motioned me forward. I leaned over until I was his height. His hand reached up, then turned my head until his mouth was level with my ear.

In the softest voice imaginable, he whispered, “Thank you for saving me.”

Tears flooded my eyes.

Fuck.

My heart ached for Sol and what he’d been through. I never expected his thanks, nor did I really want it.

When we opened that shipping container, I had no idea he’d been inside. I hadn’t saved him in particular, just the group as a whole.

I wanted to save him though. Wanted to reunite him with his family so he could have a childhood that made up for the shit he’d been through.

“No reason to thank me,” I said hoarsely. “I still haven’t found your parents yet. Looking for your dad didn’t pull up anything. I’m going to try searching for your mom next.”

He frowned at that, his hands moving to cross his neck in a slashing motion. The movement could be interpreted in two different ways. I decided to ask outright since he seemed eager to give me some kind of information.

“I want you to hold up your fingers to answer me, ok? Hold up one finger if you don’t know anything about your mom. Hold up two if she’s resting in peace.” I winced, even as the words left my mouth.

Resting in peace? What the fuck was that, Orion?

Sol didn’t seem to mind though. He held up two fingers like it was nothing. I wondered how long she’d truly been gone for him to not be affected.

Or maybe it was the more recent trauma that had his attention. He’d been through far too much at his age. I hopedme finding him and reuniting him with his father would help prevent anything else bad happening to him.

We didn’t talk much after that. I don’t think either of us had the words to go over the details of his life, nor do we really want to. At least, I didn’t.

It was nice to simply sit and enjoy the country air. There was the underlying scent of animal and excrement mixed in, but it still wasn't so bad.

At dinner time, Sol grabbed my hand and pulled me to the table to sit beside him. I smiled at the group of men, thanking them for keeping an eye on him. Then I spent the rest of the time dodging questions about how long I’d be here and what case the team was working on.

This ranch was full of some nosy fuckers.

Sol, Beau, and I walked around the ranch once the table got cleared. Beau directed Sol to run along to pet some of the goats so he and I can talk.

“How’s it been being here with him today? You look like you’re mourning something, man,” Beau told me solemnly.

I scratched the hair on my jaw. It was already coming in. I’d need to shave soon if I didn’t want to fuss with it. Though, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to grow it out either. I hadn’t done that since the last time I needed a disguise for a mission.

“It feels a bit like mourning something. I’ve reached dead end after dead end on this. It’s like he’s a ghost.”

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