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Lennon grunts. “You’re not helping by leaving, though, Orion. Instead, Derek is hurting because you’re leaving. Is that what you wanted?”
A sharp intake of breath shows a rare burst of emotion.
“No, I don’t want to hurt him. My presence hurts you, and therefore hurts him. That’s why I’m leaving,”he reiterates and I can hear sounds from outside.
Lennon huffs out a breath, shifting her weight. I can tell she’s thinking about her next words. “Where would you go? I can hear you tucking tail and running,” she taunts.
My lips twitch, because I can practically hear Orion bristle.
“Little girl, you’re playing with fire. You don’t need my brand of evil near you. I’m no better than Grant, my father, or Xav. I’m a killer, and I don’t expect any of that to change,”Orion growls.
I scowl as he lies. My heart is pounding as I hear how he sees himself, and his reasons for running.
Roark sits on the edge of the bed beside us as he thinks. “You were terrified when we found Lennon in the woods, Orion. If you didn’t care, if you were evil, why would you care? I’m gonna ask you to really think about it,” Roark demands.
Orion grunts, and it’s more emotion than he typically shows. His carefully constructed exterior is cracking, emotions are leaking, and I think he’s confused.
“The girl is important to Derek, to you all. You would care if she was gone,”Orion murmurs.
Lennon stares at the phone, trying to figure out something. “The night in the woods isn’t the first time you interrupted a suicide attempt, is it?” she asks.
Orion doesn’t say anything for a moment, but I can hear his quiet breathing.“No, but I didn’t think you’d remember that night. You were pretty out of it,”he says.
Lennon leans into me and I squeeze her thigh gently.
“My memory is slowly coming back, the drugs make things hazy. I remember you told me things aren’t what they seem, and now I know my mother has always been alive. I remember parts where you cleaned me up after a ‘therapy’ session with Xav, and I think you’re being a pussy for running, Orion,” Lennon states boldly, even though her body feels as if it’s vibrating with anxiety.
What is she worried about? Her words bely her body, but I’m enjoying her fierceness.
I press my lips together to hold in my questions that want to burst out, and let my girl continue to brow beat Orion. I’ve missed her feistiness and fire.
“I’m sorry, what did you call me, little girl?”Orion asks, and I hold my hand up where Roark and Turner can see when they tense. He isn’t threatening her.
Lennon sits up, frowning. “Why are you being a shit about this? I have a name, asshole!”
I can hear Orion walking over leaves, and his breath is a little louder. He’s getting agitated. I know he doesn’t want to call Lennon by her name because he needs distance, butshedoesn’t know that.
They need to work through this shit together, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to support her while they do.
“I know you have a name,”Orion huffs. “It doesn’t mean I have any plans to use it. The four of you are enough and have a lot of messy emotions to wade through. My abilities are better used to kill people. I have a ton of people currently on my shit list.”
“Hmm,” Lennon says, but now I can hear a tendril of amusement in her words. “Are you going to leave me anyone to kill? It would be awfully selfish of you to do it all yourself.”
“Wait… what?” Orion sputters, and I bury my face in Lennon’s neck to hold in an inappropriate giggle at his shock.
She shivers because she’s ticklish there, but doesn't push me away.
“You heard me,” Lennon says. “Now call me by my name. I’ll also have Greg drag you back by your ear if you leave. We need to have a chat, and I feel like it needs to be in person. Bye now.”
She hangs up the phone and I chuckle in her ear. “You already figured him out, huh?” I ask, kissing her neck.
“Kind of? He called you Baby Williams at one point, is he trying to remind himself of who your father is or you?” Lennon asks.
I lean back, pulling her with me to snuggle. “Orion is trying to distance himself from us. If he doesn’t use our names, then it dehumanizes us just enough so he can disconnect and walk away. I’m unsure why he’s doing this now, though. He was a little worried about seeing you again, though,” I explain.
Lennon blows out a breath. “I really will have him dragged back if he runs off,” she mutters. “I don’t know him, but I trust you, Derek. If you tell me he’s on our side, then I believe it. I just need all of the information so I can understand why Orion was in the hospital. I was terrified when he and Xav worked together when they tortured me, and I just can’t process how he’s a good person. I’m just confused,” Lennon sighs.
“Orion is a confusing person,” Roark grunts. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but he’s formed attachments to you and Derek, so I know he wants to stick around. On the other hand, he doesn't want to scare you or trigger you. I went on some errands with him to find you some clothing, and realized he’s not so bad. Emotions are confusing to him, though. I don’t know his story, but I have a feeling there are good reasons for it.”
