Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
ORION
It took Memphis less than an hour to hack into Olivia Varr's schedule. The woman had her entire life meticulously planned out. There were meetings and appointments, school schedules, and even her cleaning time had a designated spot.
I had never seen anything quite so anal.
Sadly for us, there was no empty space in her schedule for us to try to meet with her. On top of that, we were all concerned about just reaching out directly. If she suspected that we were contacting her about her father, she could bail or give him a heads up.
We couldn’t risk that.
So the plan became interference.
We were going to pop up somewhere where she was and use Arick and Sol as a buffer of sorts to get her attention. Arick was fine with the idea, considering it would be a way to get him to the man responsible for his son being taken.
We had found out after digging deeper that it was likely that Varr had requested a specific type of child. Usually, men in his position had a preference — whether it was the hair, color, or eyes. Sometimes it was simply the body type or age.
Whatever sick fantasies they had, the kidnappers and traffickers worked together to find the specific one.
It just so happened to be Sol this time.
“Run the plan back by me,” I told Arick as we sat in the war room. “I just need to make sure you got it.”
He smiled softly. I could tell he was one more question away from being frustrated with me. He’d been a good sport so far. Since this was his first mission, I was understandably worried.
But this was a big deal. Tank had even said he was going to pay him. When Arick argued, Memphis jumped in and told him he wouldn't be able to help him on any more projects if he didn’t get on payroll. Arick changed his mind quickly.
I think working with computers had given him focus. It alleviated the anxiety and stress he'd been feeling. Now he had a way of making sure Sol was safe from anything else that might come our way. It gave him back some control instead of fretting over what happened and all the tiny details he still didn't know.
Sol had been quiet about his time away. He still had a nightmare every so often, but it wasn't every single night, and they weren't near as bad as they had been. Getting to live his life as a kid and being reunited with his dad had done wonders.
We also had plans to get him into a therapist, one who specialized in child trauma. They were already familiar with the case and had dealt with other trafficking victims. There would never be a time when he was completely healed and magically better, but we could give him the tools to navigate a world after being taken.
I had gone through some of the work myself, though I waited until I was an adult to do so.
“The plan is simple. Sol and I will go to the park where Olivia is scheduled to be. I've already seen a picture of her, so I know what she looks like. I'll make sure to get a seat near her and make the right conversation. When things seem to be going well, I will take a call from Orion and confirm things are good to continue. He will appear, and we will charm her into taking us to her father.”
"Charm,” Memphis mumbled. “What a joke."
"I am charming," I told him.
"Yeah, and reckless," Cohen added.
I frowned at him. "You're one to talk, blabbermouth.”
Tank raised his hands. "All right, boys, no need to get in a fit. You're all my favorites."
We rolled our eyes and groaned at him. He loved to lord over us sometimes when we got argumentative or when we couldn't come to an agreement.
He wasn't a dictator by any means. It wasn't like he said, "It's my way or no way." It was more that he knew such big personalities, when put together, could often turn violent. We didn't need to be against each other when there was much more outside of us we needed to take care of.
When we finished going over the rest of the plan, making sure everyone was where they needed to be for this to work, we loaded up and grabbed Sol from his time with Archie.
Archie was one of the best things that ever happened to NightShade and Takeshi. He took to working with Sol like it was nothing.
They studied the basics so he could see where the young boy was lacking in his education. They had plans to pick up a new curriculum, things that were certified by the school board and would count towards actual credits. For now, it was simply getting him accustomed to school again since it had been so long for him.
We left half the team behind at the office. Arick, Sol, Ronan, Cohen, and I were the ones heading out to catch up with Olivia. The others would stay and watch, letting us know if anything popped up.
They were also watching Varr, since he might have people keeping an eye on his daughter and spot us. So far, we hadn’t seen anything, but you never knew.
Memphis had hacked the cameras near his place so we would be aware of anything. We were still unsure how Varr had managed to get himself in touch with the Gilded Ones, but hopefully we would get enough incriminating evidence from this mission to find out.
When we arrived at the park, I pressed a kiss on Arick's cheek and hugged Sol as I sent them out of the SUV. I watched them walk away with a hand over my aching heart.
Those two were my world. I didn't want to risk losing them.
Knowing that they would only be a few feet away was still too far.
I took my eyes away from them to focus on Ronan and Cohen. Ronan had a grin on his face as did Cohen. I knew the former would not say anything, but Cohen was quick to speak.
“Someone is sprung over his dude.”
I laughed. “This is the man who is in love with his best friend and talking about marriage in front of everyone. Godric seemed a bit surprised.”
Cohen scoffed. "Yeah, right. He loves me, and we're getting married and going to have beautiful babies, though I'm still not sure how we'll do that.”
"You want kids?"
He shrugged. "I mean, yes and no. I always say it because that's part of the old perfect American image. Really, I just want Godric in my life forever.”
“I feel the same about Damari. He is my everything. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him,” Ronan added.
I was happy for both of them. They had found their forevers. I had never seen them as happy as they were with these other men.
And if marriage and kids were in their future, that's great. Hell, even I was considering the whole marriage thing and that was after promising I wouldn't rush Arick.
Sol was already mine, whether he wanted to admit it or not. I wouldn’t ask for more than he was willing to give, but I loved that boy. He had a piece of my heart from the minute I saw him.
Ronan pulled up his iPad screen and keyed in the code to give him access to what Memphis could see. Part of the screen showed the surveillance in Jackie Varr's house. The other was different camera angles in the park.
Arick wore an earpiece, which gave us a way to communicate discreetly as the mission started. Only Memphis held the reins to the mic. It was meant as a way to make sure Arick could stay focused.
Everyone was worried that Cohen's need to talk incessantly would interfere with his focus. There was a distinct chance that could happen.
Arick's voice came across the line as they approached the park. “It's okay, buddy. I'm right here. My eyes will be on you constantly. And Orion is just in the car. He will not let anything happen to you.”
Sol looked up at his father and nodded before turning and taking off for the slide. A surge of love swept through me. Not only was Arick trusting me with his heart, but Sol was too.
I saw how his little shoulders dropped when his dad said that I was close, and I wouldn't let anything happen. My role as protector was one that I cherished. I had no clue that all these years of putting in work for NightShade would come in handy in a different manner.
But they had.
My presence reassured them. They knew I was prepared for whatever came our way.
On screen, we watched Arick idly move over to sit by Olivia Varr. He gave her a slight smile and a tip of his head as he sat. She returned the gesture just like any other person would when greeted in a public park.
It was quiet for a few minutes before Arick laughed at something Sol did.
“They grow up way too fast,” he said out loud, as if talking to himself.
Olivia turned her head. “They do. Which one is yours?”
He pointed towards Sol. “That's my boy. My pride and joy.”
She smiled, then pointed out her three children. “Those three are mine. I know what you’re thinking — what kind of crazy person has three kids? They outnumber me and my husband. It's a madhouse.”
Her words were said in a friendly way. There was no hostility to be found.
Arick took the opening to keep talking. “Three kids. That is a lot. Good on you for letting them get some energy burned off. I know my boy always sleeps better when I do.”
Olivia threw her head back and laughed. “That's exactly the plan. I could use some mom time. Or dad time for you.”
Arick waved a hand at her. “It's the same thing. Just peace and quiet while they aren't into everything. It's so hard making sure they’re safe and keeping them provided for.”
She nodded slowly. “It really is. I always feel like I'm not doing enough. There's just so much in the world you have to consider.”
That was my cue to dial Arick's phone. It rang and he said, "Excuse me one moment."
He put it to his ear, and I said, "Sounds like she's good to go. You think we have an in?”
Arick, playing his part, said, "Oh, that's wonderful sweetheart. I'm glad you finished up early. Did you want to join us at the park?"
I chuckled and said, "Sounds like a plan. I'll be there shortly."
He said, "Aww. Love you too. See you soon."
He hung up and put the phone down, his cheeks turning bright red as I stared at my own phone in shock. Ronan and Cohen were giving me knowing glances. I couldn’t even respond or say anything.
Did he say he loved me because of what we're doing or because it was part of his role in this mission? Was it a slip of the tongue?
I had a million questions and none of them would get answered for a while. Not only was he wearing a microphone that my entire team would be able to hear, but we were also in the middle of a fucking mission.
I pocketed my phone and jumped out of the car. I jogged over to where Arick was, picked him up from the bench and kissed him soundly on the mouth.
Olivia let out a surprised sound from off to the side, and I pulled back.
I turned to her, forcing myself to blush. "Sorry ma'am. I got a little too excited there.”
I reached a hand out.
"I'm Orion."
She smiled and shook my extended palm. "Nice to meet you Orion. I'm Olivia. I was just sitting here talking to — ”
The man beside me said, "Sorry, I didn't even introduce myself. What a klutz. I’m Arick."
She laughed. "Not a klutz. I didn’t think to do it either. You get me talking about the kids, and I completely lose myself.”
I smiled, tucking my arm around his waist. “We know what you mean. It's been a journey taking care of our boy. Work gets to be really complicated, you know, especially when a case is hard, and you have to do things that are unfortunate, or you find out someone you know isn't the best person. Sorry, I know that's a bit heavy of a topic.”
She reached out, patting my hand where I had laid it on the back of the bench.
“Not too much at all. I actually understand a bit. I've had people in my life who I thought were amazing turn out to be righteous assholes.” She whispered the last part.
We nodded along, showing her we understood. I sat down beside her and pulled Arick to my other side.
“I'm so sorry to hear that. It can be really hard, especially when it turns out to be family. That was the case for me and Arick.”
Olivia's eyes went distant as she turned back to the play area. She watched her children for a minute and then leaned closer. “Can I tell you guys a secret?”
I mimicked zipping my lips.
“I didn't have the best upbringing. My dad was a good dad, I guess, and people always told me he was so great, but I never felt like he cared. It was like he was not there fully. As an adult, it's more obvious. I'm with my kids all the time. How could he have ignored his kids like that?”
"Us?" Arick said.
She nodded. "Yeah, I had a brother. He passed away when he was really young.”
I turned to look at the man beside me. Without saying a word, we both knew that that changed things.
Had her brother died because of something Jackie had done? Or could it be that his death was the trigger that turned Jackie into the pervert he'd become?
Grief could do things to people that they never thought would happen. And if he was already leaning towards that type of vile behavior, then who knew?
We sat there in silence for a little bit longer before I turned to face Olivia fully.
“I got to be honest with you, Olivia. I knew who you were before I came here.”
She froze, her eyes going wide as she clutched her purse. "Excuse me?"
I raised my hand, giving her an innocent look. “Not like that. I work for a security company, and we need your help.”
She loosened her hold on her bag, though her body remained stiff.
“What kind of help do you need?”
I kept my eyes on her as I answered.
“Your father is doing some things that we can't ignore. He needs to be taken into custody, but we need proof. The only way to get said proof would be to get close to him.”
The rest of the tension left her body as she closed her eyes.
“Is it about what we were just talking about?”
Arick put a hand on my shoulder, encouraging me to lean back. When I did, he leaned over me and laid his hand out for Jackie to hold.
Having grown closer to him in that short time, she took his extended hand. She accepted his embrace.
“Your father's choices are not your own, Olivia. And if you do this, you would not just be protecting yourself, but your children as well.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What do you mean? Are my children not safe?”
I shook my head slowly. “Your father is trafficking children, Jackie. He isn't working alone, but he paid for a child. And when that sale fell through, he decided to scour for another to be taken from their family.”
She pulled her hand from Arick's and covered her mouth. We watched as she processed the words, her gaze moving from us back to the play area where her children were clueless to the horrors she was hearing.
Arick, sensing her indecision, decided to speak up again, going off script. “My son out there — he was the first one that your dad purchased. We saved him, and that's why the sale fell through. I don't want anyone else to go without their child. Will you please help us, Olivia?”
I will never know if it was the sincerity in Arick's voice or the fact that she could actually see the child that had been taken and trafficked under her father's instruction, but something pushed Olivia Varr over the edge. Something about our words and pleas resonated with her enough that she was nodding her head and agreeing to come with us.
“What about the kids?” she asked.
"We'll bring them with us," Arick answered. "I have a tutor that spends time with Sol since we're not ready to go back to public school yet. He wouldn't mind having the kids all come in and watch a movie or something. It'll keep them preoccupied so you don't have to worry about it while we go through the plan."
Olivia agreed once more, and then we gathered up the children to leave. We made our way to the NightShade offices in separate vehicles, though Arick insisted on riding with Olivia just to speak with her more and answer any questions she might have as discreetly as they could with the children.
Sol leaned against me in our vehicle as Ronan and Cohen discussed random TV shows to keep the energy from being heavy. Once we got to the office, we sat down and hashed out all the details once more while the kids ran off to play.
Olivia accepted her role and said she wanted to get started immediately.
"We can't let him get away with something like this," she said. “If he really is behind it, and you find the proof, I want him locked up, and I don't ever want my kids near him again."
I stood by my claim that momma bears in protection mode were the most dangerous people in the world. Olivia was out of hibernation and ready to fight.