Page 100 of Protecting his Secrets

“A thousand?” Malachi gaped. “A thousand pounds?” Felix nodded. “Where the hell do you get that amount of money to play with? Jeez.” He paused, an idea percolating in his head. “What are the terms of this bet?”

“Whoever gets you to spill details gets the money. If no one does, Dominic gets it,” Jason said.

Malachi tilted his head. “And that’s it. No other rules or fine print?” Felix shook his head, and Malachi grinned. “So, there’s nothing to say I can’t give you a little piece of the puzzle because, theoretically, I will have given you some of it. I don’t need to ruin the surprise, but I can give yousomething.”

The smile that stretched across Felix’s face was nothing short of a sunbeam, and Jason chuckled, shaking his head.

“You’re both as bad as each other,” he said.

“Half for you and half for me?” Malachi said, holding out his hand to Felix.

“Deal.”

They shook.

****

Chapter 31

Nick

Nick watched his family interacting with Malachi’s family and smiled. He hadn’t been wrong when he said they would get along, but having so many people in one room, in addition to the royal family and everyone else, it became a huge undertaking for him to create a party for Randall and yet make sure everyone was having fun, too.

He saw Malachi shaking hands with Felix, a huge grin on his face, and shook his head. Wheeling and dealing was something his boyfriend had just started doing, and he placed the blame solely on Felix for corrupting him.

Malachi came over, counting out money. When he stopped in front of Nick, he handed out a few notes. “It’s only fair,” he said, and Nick took it, knowing Malachi wouldn’t have it any other way.

“You’re a menace. All three of you are,” he said, chuckling at Dominic’s stormy expression.

“Well, what can I say? If you don’t make the rules without wiggle room, then you should expect to be fleeced.” He laughed.

“Working with Felix to find a loophole was mean.”

Malachi shrugged. “Maybe it’ll teach Dominic a lesson.”

“Even though he was on your side?”

Malachi winced a little at that. “Yeah, maybe I’ll have to make it up to him somehow.”

“You think?” He pulled him in for a hug and pressed his lips to his temple. “He’ll forgive you, don’t worry about it.”

“I hope so.”

“How is your family getting on?”

Malachi sighed and glanced over at where his sisters were chatting with Princes Douglas and Mav. “Good. A little surprised they turned up,” he murmured.

As if they had known they were being talked about, his sisters glanced over at him. Nick could see their expressions change, and they must’ve made their excuses because Douglas nodded his head and they headed towards him and Malachi.

Malachi straightened.

“Hey. Thanks for inviting us,” Christine said with a smile.

“I wondered how you seemed to find time in your ‘busy’ schedule when it comes to a royal invitation, yet you can’t find the time when it comes to family. Funny that,” Malachi said, and Nick was proud of him for standing up to them for once—and for his restraint in not knocking them sideways for being assholes.

Christine and Zara glanced at each other and then back. “You’re right,” Zara said. “It’s just that, since…Mum, it’s been hard. I know it’s hard for everyone, but…” She shook her head. “I’ll do better.”

“I will, too,” Christine said.

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