Page 42 of Charming But Reckless

Takeshi tilted his head to the side, a direct mirror of Sol.

Sol's eyes went wide. I wasn't sure if he saw the wound on Takeshi's neck or if he simply picked up on something about the other man. But it was clear no other words needed to be said.

Ronan introduced himself next, then asked us what the plan for the day was. I turned to Arick, who gave me a soft smile as if to say, ‘go ahead’.

“Well, the plan is that Sol and Arick could maybe hang out in the spare room. Maybe even get a tour of things if they want. Iknow that Sol could use some kid time. Soon we'll have to get his schooling sorted, but for now, I think keeping him close is best.”

The look I gave Ronan was one that I hoped he understood. As usual, my kind of sort of boss got it. He gave Archie a look and the other man came out from behind the cubicle.

“I would love to go sit with you guys. It's been a minute since I've gotten some good old cartoon time in. I'm not a certified teacher, but I do teach enough people ASL to know how to follow a training program. Maybe I can even help out with the schooling when that time comes if you decide not to send him back into the public sector.”

Arick’s mouth opened and closed like he wanted to say something. Only the words wouldn't come out.

I laughed softly, then ran my hand across his back. He jolted, then softened into the touch. Sol had wandered off to look at the different paperwork on the table. He was likely trying to find something he could draw on.

With him not between us, I was able to scoot closer and tuck Arick into my side. Everyone watched the move, their gazes already taking in every detail. I wouldn't have to tell this crew that this man was mine. They would know it because they knew me.

I never staked a claim. Never went out of my way to comfort others unless it was in effort to get a job done.

“That would be great, Archie,” Arick finally said after getting his bearings. “I don't know that public school is in our future for a while. I really just want to keep him safe, you know.”

Archie put his hand on Arick's shoulder. “Absolutely. I get it quite well. Why don't I go ahead and take him to watch some cartoons while you get settled? Then you can join us. If you don't, then we'll just come find you when it's time to get some food. That work?”

Arick smiled. “Sounds great. Thank you.”

Archie corralled Sol into going down the hall. Once he was out of the room, Arick wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my neck.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “You've all done far too much.”

I held him closely, one hand on the back of his head and the other on his lower back. Since I was facing the other guys, my eyes took them all in. They were all smiling at me, happy that I had found my person.

With emotion clogging my throat, I had to force myself to reply. “We would do anything for you. You have a much bigger family now. Let us love you. Let us take care of you. You don't have to do this by yourself, and we will find ways to fix whatever problems arise.”

He sighed into my touch and pulled back. Looking at the group, he said, "What can I do to help? I know you are all doing this out of the kindness of your heart because you consider me family, but I can't just do nothing. Give me a task, and I'll get it done."

No one said anything for a moment, but then Memphis stood up and came around his desk. He leaned back onto the cubicle, legs crossed at the ankle and arms folded over his chest.

"I hear you're pretty good with a computer. How would you feel about working with me?"

All the men who worked for NightShade dropped their jaws open. Memphis had never wanted to work with someone else who was computer savvy. He said they were a waste of time and space. That they would never be able to move as fast as he could.

Offering this position held more weight than Arick could possibly understand.

Or maybe he did because his returning look was filled with excitement.

"I think you've got yourself a deal. Give me a set up, and I'll get started."

Memphis's lips curved up in his version of a smile. Whatever he had planned was going to be interesting.

CHAPTER 15

ARICK

The first weekwith the NightShade team was amazing. I had never so seamlessly fallen into a group of people and felt like I belonged. Every one of the men made sure I felt welcome. They went out of their way to ensure that Sol had the space he needed to be a kid, but then he was also included in enough conversations, he didn't feel like he was missing out on something.

They eased me into the grittier side of the work. Once I insisted that a little bit of gore and violence didn't scare me, they gave me the freedom to be completely involved.

I had become Memphis's right hand basically. Anything that he wanted done but felt too simple became a task for me. His focus was on diving deeper into things. He hacked into places that I could not, and researched things with an eye that spoke of a brain far smarter than I think even his own team knew.

---