Page 60 of Protecting his Secrets

Nick needed to do something because whoever this asshole was, he was getting too close. He couldn’t believe, after all this time, they still didn’t have a clue who was pulling the strings at the top. Someone was fucking with them all, taking each guard in turn, but what was the overarching plan? To unsettle them? To kill them all? To get them out of the way and aim for the Sutcliffes? Anything was possible, but he hated not knowing. In not knowing, there were no predictions; nothing they could do to sidestep a potential risk because they couldn’t see where it was coming from.

And that scared the fuck out of him.

Smiling, he said, “Come on. Let’s go home.”

Malachi nodded, and Nick closed the car door. He stalked over to Brett. “Tomorrow, I want everything we have. I want to see itall. Every action, every piece of evidence, every spark of an idea someone has about who and why this is happening.”

Brett nodded. “I’ll be right beside you going through it all. Again.” He sighed and shook his head, his gaze wavering. “It’ll be all hands on deck. This has gone on long enough. One piece of good news from today—they finished closing the tunnels.”

Nick nodded once and headed for the car, climbing in and driving off. It was only when he parked that Nick had a thought, and as they wandered down the corridors to their suite, he messaged Brett.

NICK: Can you get the car checked for bugs? It could be how he keeps finding us.

BRETT: Good idea.

Brett’s almost immediate answer soothed his anger a little. And as he settled Malachi back into bed, he held him tightly, whispering to him as they both lay there, troubled by what the future could hold. No one would hurt what was his. No one.

****

Chapter 19

Owen

Owen and Colt checked through the house fully, except Malachi’s grandma’s room because she was sleeping, but no one was around. As far as Owen was concerned, whoever was doing this shit was just testing them and making them run around like headless chickens. But what else were they to do? They had to check.

“Thank you for letting us check so late at night, Mrs Sanders,” Colt said. “We’ll wait outside until the new guards arrive, and then they’ll stay with you all the time. They’ll wait outside when you’re in the house, but if you go anywhere, they’ll have to come with you.”

Malachi’s mother nodded. “I understand. Thank you for doing this to ease Malachi’s mind.”

Owen almost grinned. She knew it wasn’t to ease his mind from a nightmare at all. She wasn’t stupid. They left and climbed into Colt’s car, getting comfortable for the moment.

“Do you think anyone was going to try anything?” he asked after a few minutes.

Colt sighed and stared out of the window, and Owen let him gather his thoughts. “I think they’re trying to find our weak points.”

Owen stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“The event, the restaurant, the bathroom, here… They’re all tests to see our reactions, our resources, our timings. I could be wrong, but that’s where my head keeps going.”

Owen mulled it over. It made sense. “Do you think they’re going to attempt a large scale attack?”

Colt shrugged. “I don’t know. It could be that or it could be nothing. Maybe they’re testing Malachi. I’m not sure.”

“With everything that’s happened over the past few months, coupled with what you’ve just said, it makes me think attack. Why else would they be aiming it at bodyguards?”

“Bodyguards are easily replaced, though.”

Owen grinned. “I love you, too, man.”

Colt rolled his eyes. “Idiot.”

A car parked behind them, and they got out to greet their replacements. “Foster, Carl, how’re things?”

“Good, thanks,” Foster replied, clapping hands with him. “Things are hotting up, it seems. Brett didn’t say much. Just asked us to come here.”

Owen pursed his lips. “Unfortunately. Keep an eye on them, okay? They’re family now.”

Carl frowned. “How come?”

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