Chapter Nine
The adrenaline began wearing off as soon as the Metropolitan Police arrived on the scene. Even without the rush, Connor still struggled to keep himself from panicking. Someone was clearly stalking Theo, and using this act to get to him. One incident of strange pictures could be written off as publicity or prank. Following Theo to a meeting with his friends and then sending the evidence of it to Connor crossed the line from creepy to threatening. It opened a whole can of worms he wasn”t eager to process.
He swept his eyes over the room again, half listening to the MPD Officer beside him. He couldn”t keep his eyes off Theo for more than a few seconds without tides of panic starting to churn in his stomach again. Only once he caught sight of the tousled mahogany black curls did he return his attention to the cop.
“Repeat that?”
“I asked if anything like this has happened in the past. A similar situation, strange comments, any indication of obsessive interest from acquaintances.” The young officer tapped the notebook in his hand with a pen.
“You ain’t serious right now, right?” Connor pursed his lips and wiped a hand over his face. “Good Lord.”
“Uh, yes. I understand he was the victim of—”
“Look, never mind. The FBI is gonna handle this.” Connor jerked his chin toward Luke, who was likewise busy trying to fill another young officer in on eighteen months of political conflict and underhanded attacks targeting the President via her children and their friends. “We just needed assistance with a safety check. That’ll be all.”
“With all due respect, sir… until we are told otherwise, this is our jurisdiction and we will investigate accordingly.” The cop tapped his notebook again. “Back to the question—”
The door to the pottery shop turned bullpen swung open and Connor exhaled a sigh of relief. He hadn”t seen the Director of the Secret Service in months. As much as he”d grown to hate his former profession, he had learned to respect and even admire the man.
“Director Moore, Secret Service. That’ll be all for now, officers.” Carl swept through the room with a trio of agents in tow. The MPD officers boggled and sputtered. He approached and held out his hand toward Connor. “Agent O’Brien, we came straight from the office. I”ve dispatched additional personnel to cover Wiggle and Willow. You made the right call. I”ll need copies of everything.”
“Just O’Brien now.” Connor searched the room again, unable to relax despite the arrival of the Secret Service and Carl’s reassurances.
“Once an agent, always an agent.” Carl clapped a hand to Connor’s shoulder. “And you’re a damn good one.”
“Appreciated. Look, beg pardon, but—”
“Go get your man. I”ll debrief the agents and speak to Special Agent Gendry.” His former boss gave him a smile that could have been read as paternal if Connor weren”t so jaded. Did he respect and admire Director Moore? Yes. Could he trust him implicitly? Not fully. He sometimes wondered if he’d ever be able to trust anyone outside his close circle ever again. With a terse, barely there smile, Connor turned away and moved toward Theo.
As he drew closer, Lily glanced up and her expression confirmed everything he already knew. Theo, unbelievably strong and resilient, was hanging on by a thread. The ache in Connor’s chest threatened to swallow him whole. He managed to squeeze in closer and slipped an arm around Theo’s shoulders. The inhaler clutched in his shaking fist further confirmed the state of his tenuous grip on his anxiety.
“Baby, breathe for me, eh?” Connor didn”t second guess himself. He leaned in and kissed the top of Theo’s head before tucking it under his chin. “We’re gonna figure this out.”
“You didn”t tell me,” Theo whispered, his voice strained and barely audible over the buzz of adrenaline fueled chatter filling the room. “W-why didn”t you tell me?”
“I didn”t think it was a situation. I reckon I didn”t want to worry you over nothing—”
“I”m not breakable. I”m not fragile. We’re supposed to talk about shit like this!” Theo’s temper flared. Honestly, Connor was surprised it hadn”t happened earlier. Despite his anger, Theo didn”t pull away.
“I know. I”m sorry. Theo, I”m so sorry.” Connor enfolded Theo in his arms and pulled him closer to his chest. “I swear, from now on, I”m gonna tell you every damn thing. Every single damn thing. I”m just glad you”re okay.”
“So now what?” Theo deflated in his arms. Connor squeezed him just a little bit closer in response. He”d gone too long without this feeling of coming home. He desperately needed it to last a little bit longer.
“I reckon it”ll be a good idea to stay somewhere else tonight. At least till the security company comes to check the system. Just in case. There”s more agents for the kids. And these guys here will get you home.” Connor”s heart twisted in his chest as he said the word aloud. Home. He wanted so badly to return to their home. He yearned for it with such strength, it hurt. But the timing wasn”t right, and Theo hadn”t asked him back yet. Until he did, Connor would simply have to work harder to prove himself.
“C-can I call later?” Theo’s warm breath feathered over Connor’s neck and shot straight into his chest with a shiver.
“Of course, baby. Always. Anytime. Day or night, I”m there.” Connor nuzzled at the wayward curls that he missed so much, greedily inhaling the scent into his lungs to keep him going.
“Sirs.” An agent Connor didn”t know cleared his throat. “The Director has asked us to escort you home now.”
Theo tensed in Connor’s arms before pushing himself back. Letting go was damn near impossible for Connor, but he relinquished his hold nevertheless. The chill of Theo’s absence was more pronounced than ever. Once again, he fell into the trap of mentally berating himself for the hand he played in their separation. If he could go back and do everything differently, he would. God, how desperately he wished he could. Hot tears pricked at the back of his eyes as he released a shuddering breath.
“Call me later, once y’all are settled in. I”ll handle the security company tomorrow.” Connor tucked a wayward curl behind Theo’s ear and blinked away the blur. “I love you, Teddy.”
“I know,” whispered Theo in response. He stepped back and hesitated. Connor held his breath and then died a little inside as he watched his partner turn and shadow the agent from the building. “I know.” No ‘love you too’ or ‘see you soon’ or parting of any kind. It cut like a rusty razor.
“Give it time, Connor.” Lily’s hand reached out to rest on Connor’s forearm. She squeezed gently before letting it fall back to her side. “You know he loves you. The love you have for each other is why it hurts so much. For both of you.”
“Yeah, I reckon.” Connor clenched his jaw and briefly shut his eyes. “It”s just hard.”
“Nothing worth having is ever easy.” She dipped closer and kissed his cheek. It was an unprecedented move between them, but the sentiment behind her affection helped ease the ache in his chest just a little. “I’ll see you back at the apartment, okay?”
“Home safe, Lil.” He gave a little wave as she moved away to collect her things, ruminating on everything all at once with no clear order to his thoughts. He lost track of time staring into the middle distance with unfocused eyes. So much so, the hand landing on his shoulder had him jumping with his breath caught in his throat.
“At ease, soldier.” Luke gave him a weary smile that didn”t reach his eyes. “Director Moore wants a word, and then what do you say we get out of here?”
“Ah, yeah. If’n y’all want to head out now, I can catch a rideshare and grab my truck from your place.” Connor let his gaze sweep over the studio until he found the director.
“Piss off. Stop being so damn stubborn.” Luke nudged his shoulder with a huff. “God damn southern gentleman manners. You”re making us midwesterners look bad.”
“Copy that, Sarge. I”ll remember to be a dick next time,” Connor quipped with a half-grin as the two of them moved toward the opposite side of the room. For as heartsore as he was, the support from everyone helped soften the blow.
“Agents. I”ll make this quick so we can let the poor fellow have his shop back.” Carl jerked his chin toward the harried looking pottery shop worker awkwardly loitering in the corner. They’d been there for just over an hour already. Thank the Lord the man seemed patient enough.
“I’ll send over copies of every photo, and the text messages with timestamps. I can write up a full report, sir.” Connor ran a hand through his shorn hair. “It”ll be in your inbox by morning.”
“Good. You always were thorough. Forgive me for prying, but am I to understand you aren”t currently residing at the address we have on file for the three Ws?” Carl’s keen gaze burned with such intensity, Connor felt as if he was wilting under the midday sun.
“That’s… that’s correct, sir. For the time being, I reckon.”
“Is this a permanent move?” The director cocked his head, still scrutinizing Connor”s expression.
“I hope not. Time”ll tell.” Connor shifted his weight between his feet and tried not to broadcast his extreme discomfort.
“Mn. Good luck. Are you talking to someone?”
He heard the meaning behind Carl’s words, even if it was left unspoken. “I got myself signed up for a therapist, yeah. Intake’s the end of the week.”
“And I”ve got him into a veteran’s group,” Luke interjected with a sidelong smile. “We’ll get this all right as rain in no time, O’Brien.”
“Excellent. Connor, I want you to remember what I said. We have support services available. You”re eligible for them all. All you have to do is say the word, son.” Carl clapped a heavy hand to Connor”s shoulder. “And you have a position with us whenever you want it.”
“Thank you, Director. I might take you up on the former, but I promise you, I ain’t gonna be coming back. Not after Milo. And not under Adelaide”s administration.” Connor’s voice took on an edge as his emotions grew stronger. Milo’s death combined with Adelaide”s complete ineptitude as a parent and a leader always set him on edge.
“Understandable. In that case, let me remind you that I”m still always available. Not as your boss, but as your friend.” Carl tightened his grip on Connor’s shoulder before retracting his hand.
Taken aback, Connor’s eyes shot wide. “I-I… well, shit. I appreciate that, Director. Hand to God.”
“Carl works too, Con.” He grinned and winked before nodding toward the door. “Shall we?”
Following the director’s gaze, Connor found himself struggling to stifle his laughter. Through the plate glass windows and door of the studio, he glimpsed a vignette of Taz harassing the remaining agents stationed outside. The pissy attitude was clear to see in his scowling expression. His likely colorful insults were evident in his wildly gesticulating hands as well as the passive, stone-faced demeanor of the other men. For as many hard feelings and unnecessary jealousy Connor’s harbored toward Theo’s ex, the kid had grown on him. A little. If anything, at least he was entertaining.
“Good God,” Luke lamented, the adoration clear as day in his eyes. “Let’s go run interference before he gets himself arrested.”
“You boys have a good night. Reach out if anything else comes up.” Carl waved them off and turned toward the hapless store owner.
As soon as the door opened, Taz’ ranting became audible. As assumed, he was lashing out at the agents over ridiculous claims. Connor vaguely registered accusations of low IQ stats sprinkled with threats of violence that bordered on nonsensical. It was a good thing the man had always been all bark and no bite. He honestly wondered if anyone ever took Taz seriously when he got going like this.
“Timothy, car. Now.” Luke’s orders were clipped and imperious. Connor blinked, stunned silent as Taz immediately shut his mouth and moved toward Luke’s car parked farther down the street. He’d never once in all his time knowing Taz seen him compliant and obedient.
“What black magic spell was that?” Connor nodded toward the agents as he and Luke fell in step and followed a duly chastened Taz down the sidewalk.
“Now that would be telling.” Luke winked as a grin broke over his face. “But between us and the wall, he’s a good boy when you know how to handle him.”
“Ah, shit. Luke, I reckon I do not want to know these things. Did’ja forget he and my man slept together for four years?” Connor muffled a laugh as they drew up on the car. Taz was pouting in the front seat and glaring daggers at Connor through the windshield. Point taken. He moved toward the rear door instead of aiming for the shotgun seat.
“Yes, but did you ever consider they didn”t work out because it was a terrible match in that respect?” Luke pulled his door open, leaning over the roof of the car with his voice lowered. “A bottom-heavy partnership will always be imbalanced, my friend.”
“Eh-oh! That”s enough talk about bedroom dynamics.” Connor pointed over the car with a warning glare. “The less I know, the better.”
Luke’s laughter followed them into the car, piquing Taz’ insatiable curiosity and prickly temper in equal measure.
“Luke, did you really just say what I think you said about what I think you”re talking about?” Taz turned in his seat to glance at Connor’s flustered face with narrowed eyes.
“Likely. Where’s the lie?” Luke fired up the engine and shifted the car into gear.
“Ugh. Hate you.” Taz slumped back into his seat and pulled the buckle across his chest. “I told you that in confidence.”
“Y’all,” Connor warned from his place in the back. “I don’t need to know jack about your bedroom antics. Just like y’all don”t need to know about mine.”
“You mean to say Theo never talked about their relationship? At all?” Luke flicked a glance to the rearview mirror to make eye contact with Connor before returning his attention to the road.
“I ain”t ever wanted to hear it. Chapter closed, the end.” Connor shifted his gaze toward the window, crossing his arms over his chest to dispel the tension building there. He never liked to think too hard about the many years his Theo had spent with someone else. Hearing about it was even worse.
“Idiot. Maybe if you asked Theo, or talked about it at all, you wouldn”t be such a jealous fucking prick.” Taz’ annoyance rang clear as day in his voice.
“T, settle down.” Luke shifted his hand over the central console to rest his palm on Taz’ thigh. It was such a simple act. One Connor had done countless times with Theo. His heartache grew, twisting its claws deeper into his chest. He turned his eyes back toward the window with a sigh. The blur of traffic and buildings zooming by mirrored the disarray rushing through his head. It had been a long day, and an even longer few weeks. For as hopeful as he was that he and Theo would find their way back together, it was times like these that reminded him how much he missed everything he had taken for granted.