Page 24 of Protecting his Secrets

Nick shook his head. “I don’t know. We need to figure it out. When you’re feeling up to it and are back with us, we can go through some things to see if we can figure out who else you’ve pissed off.”

Malachi closed his eyes. “Apart from the part of the British population who love the royal family, you mean?”

Nick grimaced. “Yeah. I never said it was going to be easy.”

Rubbing his hands over his face, he sighed as the shittiness washed over him again. “We can go now. I’m sure I’m fine.” He swung his legs over the bed, his head spinning for a second before righting itself again. “I’ll sign that I can be discharged.”

Nick held up his hands. “No, you’ll only be going when they say you’re well enough to go, so get those legs back up into bed.”

Malachi ignored him and pressed the button for the nurses’ station. Nick glared at him but settled back against the wall with his arms crossed. It took the nurse several minutes, but when she came, she was more than happy to send him on his way. Nick protested, but the nurse informed him that the doctor had signed off on his release after the last time he was seen. He needed to rest, and that was all, which Malachi knew already.

“I told you. This isn’t my first rodeo,” Malachi said, gingerly standing to make sure his legs took his weight. Nick stepped closer, his hand outstretched as if to catch him should he fall.Maybe I should fake it and see if those muscles are as hard as they look.He shook his head to clear the voice. When he walked the length of the room and back, getting stronger with each step, he grinned. “Told you.”

“Well, then, cowboy, get yourself ready and we’ll ride back to Windsor.”

Malachi glanced at him. “Is that a good idea if someone has targeted me?”

“It’s the best idea. There will be enough guards around to mitigate the chances of it happening again.”

“But what if I bring it into Windsor?” His mind flicked to the emails he’d been receiving, kind of stalkerish, but he couldn’t believe someone seemingly so happy with Malachi’s words would want to hurt him. He wasn’t positive, of course, but it seemed unlikely. He considered telling Nick about them but refrained.

“We’ll know if they try to get in.” Nick sighed. “With all the problems we’ve had over the past few years, our security is top-notch. It’s highly unlikely for someone to get to you.” He paused and narrowed his eyes. “Unless this is all a ruse you’ve concocted.”

Malachi rolled his eyes. “Damn it. You caught me,” he deadpanned. “Fuck, Nick. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Nick waved him away. “Let’s not do this again. It’s time to get back.”

Malachi followed Nick out of the room once the nurse had confirmed he could leave, and they met someone at the entrance he vaguely remembered.

“I’m glad to see you’re up and about again,” the man said, nodding once.

“Thanks.”

“This is Brandon. He drove us here.”

Malachi gasped. “Have you been waiting here all night? I’m so sorry.”

Brandon chuckled. “No, I went back to the restaurant to pick up His Majesty and the Prince Consort and took them back home. Nick messaged not long ago asking for a ride back. And here I am.”

“I’m sorry it’s so late,” Malachi said.

Brandon waved him away. “Don’t be. It’s part of my job to be on call in case I’m needed.”

“And are you needed often at three in the morning?” Malachi raised his eyebrows.

Nick cleared his throat and glared at him, making Malachi realise how his question might be construed. “Shit. Don’t answer that. I’m not asking for secrets or whatever. It was a genuine random question I would’ve asked anyone who’d said that. Sorry.” His stomach rolled, and this time it wasn’t from the allergy. He hated that Nick thought the worst of him, but the only way to alleviate some of that was to tell him the truth, but what would that accomplish?

He climbed into the car and rested his head back against the seat, closing his eyes with a sigh. Not long left. Soon, he’d be free. He just had to keep reminding himself of that.

Nick nudged him awake when they reached the castle, and he rubbed his face and yawned before climbing back out of the car.Sleeping so much when he was used to insomnia was a mind-fuck.

“Thanks, Brandon,” he said, waving at the driver before he pulled away. They headed inside, and he dragged his feet, his body too heavy for him suddenly. He was so tired, which was what always happened after an incident like that.

“Come on. Let me help,” Nick said. He draped his arm around Malachi’s waist and took some of his weight. Malachi automatically wrapped his arm around Nick’s waist and gripped tightly.

God, he is as hard as he looks.And he smells divine.It took every ounce of willpower he had not to inhale deeply and keep that scent in his lungs for as long as possible. As in, passing out possible.

Nick leaned him against the wall while he unlocked the suite door and then helped him into the room. “Let’s get you to bed, and then I’ll lock everything up here.”

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