Chapter 14 #3
“It’s a little weird,” Casey glanced over at Jordan’s office this time.
“I asked Jason to audit our security protocols after Titan called. He found some odd queries into Sherlock, usually late at night, along with a couple of private repositories that don’t belong to me or Oliver.
I didn’t think anything of it since we let the team work when they need to, but something’s not right. ”
“You think Jordan’s up to something?” We both watched Jordan exit his office and move in the direction of the kitchenette across the floor. Casey motioned to the stairwell and I followed him.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” I continued once the door had shut. “But can you keep an eye on his system activities? Loop Jason in to help you.”
“Anything you need, boss.” I thanked him and headed down the stairs.
Back in my office the rest of the afternoon unfolded in predictable layers.
I answered emails, reviewed project timelines, had a brief call with a potential client that felt surreal after the morning’s depressing revelations.
Normal business continuing while Finn recovered behind closed doors and Tabitha quietly built us a roadmap away from corporate acquisition while casually sitting on my sofa.
Just after four, I drifted out to the common area for a snack and some water. Tabitha had disappeared to the roof with Lennon for their afternoon tea ritual, and the space felt expectant, like it was holding its breath.
The crying closet door remained closed, no sound from within. But it felt as if a storm had passed and left stillness in its wake.
I knocked softly. “Finn? You up?”
A rustling sound, then his voice, rough but clearer than it had been hours ago. “Yeah. Come in.”
He was sitting up in the chair, blanket pooled around his waist, earplugs resting on the small table beside the now empty water bottle. His eyes tracked properly when I entered, focused and present in a way they hadn’t been when I’d left him.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a truck, but a smaller truck than usual,” the corner of his mouth hitched. “Better. Embarrassed, but better.”
I sat on the ottoman in front of him and rested my hand on his knee. “Nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“I lasted less than a day in your workplace before fallin’ apart.”
“You lasted more than four hours in an unfamiliar environment with multiple new people while managing a neurological condition. It’s just how things go sometimes.”
He considered this, fingers finding mine and turning my hand over to examine the fading ink stain. My cheeks warmed and I wasn’t sure if it was from his touch or the exposure of my pen-snapping tendency.
“Did you strangle a baby squid earlier?”
A laugh escaped my throat and he smiled, looking more like himself. “I should probably find less messy things to fidget with.”
He turned my hand back over and covered it with his own, fingers curling around mine. “Your assistant might be more intimidating than you.”
“Tabitha was a behavioral therapist in a past life and is good at reading people. She knew you were crashing before you did.”
“And you,” his eyes met mine, something shifting in his expression. “You got me out of there before I could make it worse.”
My chest tightened at his words. “Partners look out for each other.”
“Is that what we are?”
The question hung between us, and my mind drifted to his easy affection in front of my team, the way he’d leaned into me when I’d helped him to this room, the relief I’d felt when his eyes focused properly just now.
“I think so,” I smiled softly. “Yeah.”
We sat there quietly until there was a small knock at the door and Tabitha poked her head in.
“Crash Bandicoot,” she nodded at Finn. “How’s the head?”
“Much better thanks to you and Alex,” his lips hitched to the side, eyes sparkling. “Remind me to never be on the wrong side of you two.”
“Eh, Alex is a pussycat once you learn all her secret cheat codes,” she winked before turning to me. “I forwarded my research from this afternoon to your and Oliver’s secure folders. I think you’ll like it.”
“Thanks, T,” I smiled, grateful all over again that she’d decided to stick around after graduating. “See you in the morning?”
“You need any help getting to your car?”
“We should be okay.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning,” she made a small salute and left, leaving the door slightly cracked.
I turned back to Finn and stood, taking the blanket from his lap and folding it before setting it in a basket in the corner. “Ready to go home?”
“That sounds great,” he smiled, standing up. He wavered a moment before steadying. “I’m good.”
“I know you are,” I returned his smile, noting the sway of waking up versus crashing. I handed him his phone which he shoved in his pocket immediately. “Let me get my bag and we can go. I hope you’re okay if I drive.”
“I’d appreciate it,” he followed me out of the room. “I have no intention of crashing another vehicle again in my lifetime.”
I gathered my things and we made our way to the front of the office. Lennon was still sitting behind reception, typing furiously. They stopped as we came through the doors.
“Hey you two,” they looked up. “Finn, how was your first day?”
“More exciting that most first days, I reckon,” he took my bag from me and then took my hand.
“That’s how we like it around here,” they turned back to their screen. “Hopefully we’ll see you back soon. Don’t keep him locked away in a tower, Alex.”
“Good night, Lennon,” I called instead of answering.
We pushed out the doors and took the stairs down to street-level.
We reached my car and he took my keys, unlocked my door and opened it for me before taking my bag with him to the other side.
I passed his sunglasses over before buckling up and pulling out of the stall. It was all so perfectly domestic.
Finn finally pulled out his phone, swiping through notifications before typing out a message and slipping it back into his pocket. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest.
“Well,” he spoke at length, “Lou knows.”
“Knows…?” I tried to sound casual.
“Told her I didn’t answer because I was with my girlfriend,” he turned his head toward me. “Means my family will know now too. Thanks for taking my phone so I could rest.”
I stopped the smug grin from pulling at my lips. It shouldn’t have mattered since our relationship was all smoke and mirrors, but being picked over his old girlfriend felt good. Being picked at all felt good.
We drove the rest of the way in silence.
When we arrived home, Finn showered again while I pulled out the leftover lasagna from the night before and placed it in the oven to warm before going to my room to change into comfortable leggings and a sweatshirt.
I pulled out my contacts and set my glasses on my face with relief.
We’d survived our first performance. Knocked it out of the park.
I padded back to the kitchen and checked the lasagna before pulling it out and dividing it into two pasta bowls.
Finn returned in a t-shirt and the same joggers from the day, feet bare and the rest of his hair pulled up off his neck.
“Hungry?” I offered him a bowl.
“Yeah,” he blinked as if the thought had just occurred to him.
“I’m sorry I don’t have beer or anything like that.”
“I don’t drink much these days anyway,” he shrugged. “Interferes with too much with…” He lifted his hand in a motion as if he was adjusting a dial next to his head.
I handed over my bowl as well and filled two glasses with ice water. We moved to the sofa and I turned on the TV, navigating to a movie I’d seen a hundred times, but remained my comfort show. He settled down next to me to watch.
Finn was asleep, blanket draped over him and head on my lap, when Enzo arrived home a few hours later. He came around the front of the couch and grinned at me.
“Successful day?” He whispered, picking up our empty dishes from the ottoman and stacking them together. Always taking care of me.
“Hard day,” I admitted. “He crashed just after lunch.”
Enzo’s face fell. “Is he alright?”
“He’s fine,” I smoothed a protective hand over Finn’s shoulder. “Just exhausted.”
Enzo studied us for a moment, Finn curled against me, my hand resting against him. “This is some very dedicated method acting.”
“I’m a perfectionist,” I said dryly. “Ask anyone.”
“Sister,” his grin turned knowing as he carried the dishes to the sink. “You’re petting him like he’s a beloved cat. And you look more relaxed than I’ve seen you in years.”
My cheeks warmed. “It’s been a long day.”
“Uh-huh,” Enzo’s voice held gentle amusement as he turned down the hall. “Well, whatever’s happening here, it suits you both. I’m going to bed before I start taking photos for blackmail purposes.”