I was prepping for my stream when I got a message from Beckett that I needed to get over to Odette’s immediately. I didn’t question it. I got in my car and started driving. I was a few minutes into the drive when Beckett called, telling me what had happened. He’d deal with letting my moderators know that my stream would be cancelled today and tomorrow.
This was more important. Beckett said she was struggling.
I needed to get to her.
Parker had been there.
At her home.
My foot pressed the pedal in again, passing the next car I came up to.
I was going at least thirty miles over the speed limit, trying to get to her as quickly as I could.
Before I knew it, I was pulling into her driveway and running to the door, pounding my fist against it. Beckett opened it, and I pushed past him, making a beeline for Odette, who was sitting in the living room. Jemma left her side immediately and madeher way to the front door, with Beckett behind her, as they left. Beckett gave me a nod. I knew they’d be close if needed, but this was now my time to be with Odette.
I sat down next to her, not saying a word, and pulled her into me. She was sitting there with her hands rubbing her thighs. I squeezed her, and she finally let her whole weight lean into me. Her breathing was heavy against me, but I just held her.
“What happened?” I whispered the question before kissing the top of her head. Beckett hadn’t given me many details besides that Parker had come and gone and Odette had shut down.
“Parker was here.” She whispered. “He was on my front lawn when I came home.”
She started rubbing her hands again, so I squeezed her tighter.
“I’m here now.” I planted another kiss on top of her head. She pulled away, finally looking at me.
“Parker was here.” She said again. I nodded my head, letting her know that I understood. “He showed up here because of me. Because of us.”
My eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
“He showed up because he wants to out you as CovertRetriever. He figured out who you were somehow. But Beckett was here, and his assistant, Melody, showed up just as he’d mentioned it. Beckett threatened to sue him, Melody gave Beckett her card, and then took Parker away.”
“Oh, baby.” I moved to grab her again, but she held up her hands to stop me. The look on her face was filled with worry and sadness all at the same time.
“He figured out who you were because of me, Ryker. He wants to hurt you because of me.”
“He could never hurt me, or us.” I reached out, taking her face in my hands, leaning my forehead against hers. “I will make sure of that, Odette.”
“He knew.” The words were so soft coming from her mouth. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss against her lips, but she stilled against me. I pulled away, looking down at her, really getting to look at her face. Tear streaks lined her cheeks, and her eyes were bloodshot. There was a glass of water and crackers on the coffee table in front of us.
I felt like I was missing something. Parker had been here, and Beckett told me Odette had shut down, but what had actually happened after Parker left?
“What else happened, Odette?” I asked.
She stared at me, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she reached for the water and took a sip. She sat up straight, taking a few deep breaths, opening and closing her mouth again. I placed a hand on her cheek, and she leaned into it. My dumb rubbed soft circles.
After a few more moments, she finally spoke.
“I had a panic attack.” My finger froze, and it was my turn to sit up straight. “I was so scared and worried about Parker outing you and it being my fault, because it is my fault, and I started to cry. I couldn’t stop it. My heart rate had already been escalating, and once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop. I sobbed and sobbed until I blacked out in Jemma’s arms in the driveway.”
“Fuck,” I said, picking up the cup of water and handing it to her to drink more. I wasn’t fucking here for her, and this happened. Parker hadn’t just made this happen, but I let this happen. Leading this life that I live. It wasn’t helping anyone anymore. It was hurting Odette.
She took a long drink of water before continuing.
“I don’t know how long I was down for, but after I came to, Jemma and Beckett helped me into the house, setting me up onthe couch. They got me water and crackers, but I didn’t want to drink or eat. I wanted you, and Beckett said you were on your way. I didn’t talk to them while we waited. Jemma sat next to me, rubbing my back, but that was about it.”
“Baby.” I leaned in, taking the water from her and putting it back on the table, and took her in my arms again. She leaned in to me again. Her breaths weren’t as heavy as they had been when I’d first shown up. “I know this is the worst question I could ask you, but how can I help you?”
Odette pulled away from me, taking my face in her hands. She placed a kiss on my lips just as I had earlier.
