Page 27 of Protecting his Heart

“Does it matter?”

Evan huffed a laugh. “No.”

“Exactly.”

Owen kissed him, swiping his tongue across the bottom of Evan’s lower lip, seeking entry. Evan obliged, deepening the kiss until his head spun. It wasn’t to wipe away all thoughts of who sent the calendar. Not at all. But when they finally came up for air, he couldn’t remember the day of the week, let alone anything else.

“See you later?” Owen asked.

“I’ll be here.” Because where else would he be when he couldn’t use his arm? It was better than it had been, but twisting it wrong made it hurt all over again, and he still couldn’t drive.

When the door closed behind his boyfriend, he stayed where he was, finishing his coffee. If only he could do something useful. His gaze settled on the note, and he straightened. Would Brett help him if he asked, or would he go squealing to Owen? Only one way of finding out.

He pulled out his phone and dialled. He’d been given Brett’s number in case he needed to contact him about Owen, and he hoped he wouldn’t mind him using it for a different reason.

“Evan? Everything okay?”

“Yes. Owen’s just left, but please don’t tell him I called. I…I have something to ask. A favour, really.”

Brett was silent for a minute. “Go ahead.”

He explained about the gifts and notes, feeling more stupid as he talked. “It’s probably nothing, and I’m probably overreactingto it, but it just seems weird. Owen doesn’t seem to think anything’s wrong.”

“Do you still have them? The notes and the calendar?”

“Yeah.”

“Owen will be going out around eleven o’clock. Bring them over then. We can take a look.”

Evan sighed. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Brett snorted. “I’m sure Owen won’t, but we always do strange things for the ones we love. See you soon.”

Evan stared at the phone, Brett’s words echoing in his head.The ones we love.He wasn’t wrong. He did love Owen, and he was worried. It wasn’t an excuse to have things checked. He truly believed this could be some weird stalker thing or something, and if it was, the danger wasn’t just to Owen. It could bleed over into the royal family, too.

He settled in to watch TV for a while but ended up watching the clock instead. Who knew there were so many minutes between eight o’clock and eleven o’clock?

When the time finally came, he walked the distance to Windsor Castle, where the guards waved him through. He didn’t need escorting, he was told, so he found his own way to the security room. He knocked but didn’t enter. After hearing what happened when someone unexpectedly opened the door—they received several guns pointed towards them—he wouldn’t ever do that.

The door opened, and Felix smiled at him. “Hey, come on in.”

Evan entered, feeling weird being in Owen’s space without him. “Morning,” he said to Brett.

“Take a seat and tell us what’s going on.”

He’d already explained it to Brett on the phone, but if he wanted to hear it again, who was Evan to argue? Especially as he was asking a huge favour. So, he did, pointing out the items as he went.

“I have no idea why the words are capitalised and what the number means.” Evan shrugged. “I’m probably overreacting.”

Brett nodded. “Maybe, but we can try to get some prints off them. You’re going to have to come up with an excuse why there is fingerprint powder over them when Owen comes home.”

Evan exhaled. “Forgiveness is easier than permission?” he said tentatively.

Brett snorted, glancing at Felix. “I’m sure for most people.” He rubbed a hand over his mouth. “Give us an hour. Owen won’t be back until three at the earliest.”

“Thanks.” He stood. “I guess I’ll go home and come back again.”

He headed to the door but was stopped by Felix’s voice. “Why not visit Randall? I’m sure he has something to keep you distracted instead of staring at the walls of your house.”

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