Page 35 of Protecting his Secrets

Nick shook his head, but Douglas said, “We’ll stay with him until you’re finished.”

They didn’t wait, but instead, headed for the door, closing it behind them and leaving Nick with Andrew, Kean and Kendal. Nick strode over to them, hoping they’d get to the point so he could be with Malachi again. God, he had it bad already.

“How are you managing with Malachi?” A slight curve to the corners of his mouth accompanied Andrew’s words.

Nick didn’t sigh like he wanted to. “We’re getting along fine now some misunderstandings have been cleared up.”

Andrew’s smile came out in full force with those words. “Glad to hear it. I have to say, it’s not like you to take an instant dislike to someone. You’ve been wandering around the castle like you had a permanent rain cloud over your head.”

Nick did sigh at that. “I know, Your Majesty. I didn’t like what he wrote, and that stopped me from seeing the real him.”

“Which is?”

Did the king know Malachi’s alter ego? Did Nick have it in him to tell them about it? He exhaled, knowing he was going to break Malachi’s confidence, but hoping Malachi didn’t hate him for it. After all, Nick’s priority was the crown.

“He only writes what he does because he’s locked into a contract he can’t get out of. However, he contradicts that writing by writing as another name, Kai Ruffers.”

Kean gasped. “Seriously? I’ve read Kai Ruffer’s work, and he has a huge affinity for all things royal.” He glanced at Andrew. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Andrew smiled. “Because then we would’ve had two starstruck people at the table.”

That answered the question of if Andrew knew. But of course he did. He knew everything.

“Also, I didn’t know about this contract. I assumed he was there because he wanted to be.” Andrew stared at him.

“I don’t know everything about it, but from what I can gather, Malachi was locked into a contract right from the beginning. He has less than a year left, and he has no plans to renew the contract again.”

“Do you think Mav might be able to help him?” Kendal asked. “With his reputation, I mean? It’s got to be hard doingthe work he hates under his real name. What’s he going to do afterwards? Change his name to Kai Ruffers?” Kendal tilted their head, frowning. It cleared quickly, replaced with a grin and a chuckle. “Clever. Sanders and Ruffers. One sands things down, one roughs things up.”

Clever indeed. Nick hadn’t caught on to that, but it was something he needed to ask Malachi about.

“Is there anything else, Your Majesty?”

Andrew waved him away. “Go. Just remember the plans for tomorrow. And make sure you eat next time,” he chided.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Your Highnesses.”

He turned on his tail and strode for the door, opening it rather more forcefully than he meant to and closing it a lot quieter. Douglas and Mav stood a short distance down the corridor, but Malachi was nowhere to be seen. Nick’s heart raced.

“Where is he?”

Mav pointed to the bathroom door, one door down from where they stood, and Nick settled.

“So, you and Malachi, huh?” Douglas said, grinning.

“Shut up. Your Highness,” Nick said, staring at the door Malachi should appear from.

“I’m only messing with you,” Douglas said, clasping his shoulder. “I’m glad you’ve found someone. I was starting to worry you’d be single forever.”

“You weren’t the only one, Your Highness.”

After a little more chatter, Nick’s stomach churned. Where was Malachi? He started down the corridor slowly, his mind telling him he was fine, but also remembering what had happened in the restaurant bathroom. What if Malachi couldn’t shout for help? His brain—wonderfully creative as it was—sent more images of things that could’ve happened as he drew closer.

“What’s wrong, Nick?” Douglas asked.

“It’s been too long,” Nick muttered. His gaze darted around, trying to figure out why his instincts were screaming at him. “Prince Douglas, Prince Mav, please retreat further down the corridor and call Brett.”

“We can help—”

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