Changing Tides by Simone Anderson

move.
    “How long?” Brett asked finally.
    “How long have I have been able to talk?” Orion asked.
    Brett nodded. Pain and disbelief swirling in the dark blue depths of his eyes.
    “Years.”
    “And you couldn’t tell me?”
    Orion shook his head. “No.”
    “You didn’t tell anyone .” The accusation came from his left, a dark-haired woman. Jennifer Carter. A former member of the Security Forces Special Assault Unit, she was now in charge of perimeter security here. Fifteen years his senior, she was also the daughter of his father’s best friend.
    “No,” he admitted. “It was for the best. And no one outside of this room will be told. No exceptions.”
    There was a chorus of “Yes, Sirs,” before he turned back to Brett. Orion wasn’t sure how to deal with the man. If he was wrong about Brett, then letting him go or even placing him anywhere near the other prisoners wasn’t an option. Not until the CFA’s mission was complete. Not until Aelland and her citizens were free once more. His heart ached at the thought of Brett as his enemy, of never seeing him the same way again. He felt no guilt about deceiving Brett. His duty was to his parents and their dream. He’d made it his own and seeing it fulfilled had taken precedence over what he allowed or wanted for himself. Any guilt had been ruthlessly squashed and never acknowledged. Not until now. Now, there was no ignoring the emotion or his feelings for Brett. Orion gazed into Brett’s deep blue eyes. The look of betrayal he saw there was heartbreaking.
    “I promise we’ll talk about it later,” Orion said, bending over to kiss the older man, only to have him turn away.
    “What about the raids?” someone asked.
    Orion released Brett and turned back to the table surrounded by the people who would lead the downfall of the current regime.
    “You’re the Citizens for a Free Aelland, aren’t you?” Brett asked from where he knelt.
    Orion nodded.
    “He can’t be let go.”
    “He needs to die.”
    “Throw him in a cell!”
    “Enough!” Orion exclaimed. “I will deal with him after we figure out the meaning behind the government’s raids.”
    There was more shouting and talking, each person offering up their own ideas. Orion sat down in the chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. Something brushed his leg. Orion looked down and ran a hand through Brett’s hair. The man had inched forward until he was leaning up against Orion. There were rules in place, rules to be followed, that had ensured the anonymity of the organization and the people involved. Rules were rules, he knew this, but it still didn’t feel right to have Brett bound and kneeling at his feet.
    “What is it, Orion?” Brett asked. “These raids you’re talking about… Mine wasn’t the only place being tossed?”
    Orion shook his head.
    “We’re getting reports that it’s happening at bases throughout the country,” Carter said firmly.
    “Can I see the lists? At least, the one for my base?” Brett asked.
    Orion nodded.
    “It’s not complete. It could be days before we know the names of everyone involved,” Carter replied, handing over a sheet of paper from the stack in front of her.
    Orion held it out so Brett could see. The man’s face paled, and his body stiffened. He knew something they didn’t. Would he tell them willingly? Would he side with them or with the government? Orion bit the inside of his cheek, unwilling to let anyone know how much Brett’s words and decision would affect him.
    “Well?” Orion asked, the word coming out harsher than he meant it to.
    “There is no mistake?” Brett asked, looking up at him.
    Orion turned to the table.
    “No,” Carter replied.
    “Does it mean anything to you?” Orion asked. Why was Brett’s name on there? He knew about Brett saving Jackson’s life. Miller had told Orion about it when Orion had run into him the night Miller’s boyfriend had proposed. Jonah Miller was one of