Page 58 of Protecting his Secrets

“Why?” Nick was truly interested in what Malachi might’ve seen that he hadn’t.

Malachi shifted closer, lowering his voice. “They spend most of their time together, so they’ve already got a rapport. They just need to first figure out that they care for each other—if they haven’t already—and then admit it. If they can manage that, they might have the chance to build something new from what they already have. But at the moment, the barest wind could blow their foundations. You need to let them do their thing and not mess with those supports.”

Nick stared at him. “You truly do have a way with words. It’s beautiful.”

Malachi flushed. “Thank you.”

Despite it being the middle of the night, everyone seemed in fine spirits, and Nick realised exactly how much they all needed the break from work. Sometimes—and not to the Sutcliffes’ fault—their work could be long and stressful, especially Brett’s role, but they were all such good friends as well, that they all supported the others. Nick had never known a workplace like it. And he wouldn’t change it for the world.

Three hours later, he was ready to sleep again, and so was Malachi.

“Thank you all for the amazing night, but we’re going home to bed.” He’d switched to soft drinks after his half a glass of wine at the very beginning and was confident in his ability to drive. Tucking Malachi under his shoulder, he said goodnight to everyone and led him to the car. He doubted Brett or Felix would sleep when they returned. Knowing them, they’d go straight back to work. It had surprised him that they’d even been there that night at all. But their relationship was something Nick would study from then on. He was intrigued.

“Sleep, sweetheart. I’ll wake you when we get there.” He closed the car door, his man already falling when Nick saw something under his window wipers. He pulled it free and unfolded the paper, expecting to see an advert for a club or something similar.

But his blood ran cold when he saw a photograph of Malachi’s mum and grandma with a red target painted over the top of them.

Nick’s heart tripled its rate, and he froze, unsure what move to make. Should he wake Malachi to check on them? Should he keep quiet and check on them himself? Why had he taken the guards from them once Malachi was healthy?

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he muttered.

Malachi would never forgive him if something happened to them. He pulled out his phone and dialled Felix.

“That was quick. You back already?”

“No, I’m outside. Do you, by any chance, have eyes on Malachi’s family?”

Felix paused. “No. Should I?”

“Fuck.” Was it a ruse to get him to go there? To getthemto go there?

“Talk to me, Nick,” Felix said, the words not in his ear.

He glanced up and handed Felix the paper. “I don’t know what to do, Felix,” he whispered. “It’ll destroy him if something’s happened to them. Do I tell him? Do I not and check for myself? What do I do?”

Felix dragged him into a hug, then stepped back. “You do what you would’ve done before. You ask for help.” He disappeared back inside the house, and within seconds, everyone was outside. Landon and Viola disappeared from the driveway, possibly checking for anyone around. Owen and Colt got into a car and drove off. Brett was on the phone. Dominic and Randall came over to him.

“Wake him up, Nick. Tell him. He won’t trust you ever again if you keep stuff from him,” Randall said.

Nick inhaled and rounded the car, opening Malachi’s door again. He crouched beside him. “Malachi? Sweetheart? Wake up for me. Come on,” he coaxed as Malachi slowly roused. “That’s it. Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

When he did, Malachi gave a dopey smile, but Nick couldn’t return it. Malachi frowned and blinked a few more times. “What’s wrong?” He yawned.

“I need you to do something for me, but I need you to stay calm first.”

Malachi sat straighter, his gaze darting around. “What?”

“I need you to call your mum. I know it’s late, but it’s important.”

“Why?”

Nick swallowed hard, hating the pain he was causing. “They’ve been targeted, and we need to make sure they’re okay.”

“What!” Malachi grabbed for his phone, fumbling with it. Nick put his hand over Malachi’s. “No! Let me call her!”

“Malachi,” Nick’s voice broke, “you need to be calm; otherwise, you’ll worry her.”

“I’m going to worry her, anyway! I’m calling her in the middle of the night!” But he took a breath and then another one. “Okay.”

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