Page 23 of Protecting his Heart

“Boss,” he said, sitting in a chair opposite Brett.

“I hear there was an unplanned visitor.”

Owen sighed. “Unplanned but unarmed.”

Brett stared at him for a long second and then nodded. “Don’t make it a regular occurrence.”

“I won’t.”

“Tell me about it.”

Owen went through the visit from the moment they left Windsor to the moment they returned, Brett taking notes as needed. His boss always debriefed guards separately and then compared the statements because he said it highlighted areas that either needed work, occasionally when paired guards weren’t working together well, and sometimes when guardsweren’t happy. Owen could understand it, and he was in awe of Brett’s ability to lead the security team as well as do his job as Prince Christian’s guard. He wasn’t sure the man could keep up the workload, but so far, everything was working well, though Brett seemed to have darker circles under his eyes than Owen had noticed before.

“Okay, head home. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Brett said, closing his folder.

“Thanks.” He handed in his earpiece and radio, as they all did at the end of their shifts. He kept his gun, though. He had a permit for it, after all.

Owen bypassed his locker, not needing anything he didn’t have on him, and headed for the exit. He walked to the pizza place down the road from his house, ordered two large pizzas and carried them home.

Juggling the pizza boxes, he unlocked the front door, surprised when they didn’t end up on the floor. “I’m home! Come get your food!” He smiled when he saw Evan on the sofa. “I hope you’ve been there all day.”

Evan grinned, standing to grab the boxes from his hands. “Actually, I have mostly. Matteo came over once he’d heard what happened and we had lunch here and spent the afternoon talking. It was nice.”

Owen pushed down the possessiveness he felt at someone else getting Evan’s time—it was something he would need to get used to. “I’m glad. We’ll have to invite him over so I can get to know him better.” Owen took off his coat and shoes before settling beside Evan on the sofa.

“I’ve already decided to do that. Invite Dominic and Randall, too.”

Owen stared at Evan, wanting to lean forward and kiss him, but still a little unsure about their dynamic. Evan chuckled, wrapped a hand around Owen’s nape and dragged him forward,fusing their lips. Owen sighed into his mouth and then wished he’d kept his air because Evan didn’t let up until Owen was lightheaded and gasping for air when they broke apart.

“Wow,” Owen said. “I need to leave and come back more often.”

Evan’s eyes darkened. “No, you don’t. You get that anytime you or I want it.”

“Every second?”

“Whenever and wherever.”

Owen’s heart skipped a beat. “Every second it is, then,” he whispered. Much to his disappointment, though, Evan reached for the pizza instead of more of him, and Owen breathed to rein himself in before doing the same.

“How was work?” Evan asked after they’d each demolished one slice.

Owen finished his mouthful. “Informative.” At Evan’s raised eyebrows, he explained about the kid and then described the charity itself. “I had a look into it when we got back to Windsor, and it looks good. I want to do a bit more research, but if it all pans out—as I’m sure it will; otherwise, Freddie and Damon wouldn’t be interested—I’ll consider donating to them.”

Evan smiled at him. “You have such a big heart.”

Owen flushed, not used to the compliments. “I’m small fry compared to some.”

“But every bit helps them, doesn’t it?” Evan said. “If they’re really that good, count me in, too.”

They finished their pizza, and Owen tidied it away. When he entered the living room again, Evan was hiding a yawn behind his hand. “I bet you got no extra sleep, did you?”

“I didn’t get up until ten o’clock.”

Owen put his hands on his hips. “That’s not what I meant.”

Evan chuckled. “Matteo was here, and I wasn’t tired.”

“Come on.” He held out his hand. “Paracetamol and bed.”

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