Page 8 of Protecting his Secrets

When the dinner finished, the organisers stood before their guests and spoke about the charity—one that benefitted children from all walks of life for whatever they needed, no matter their status or background—and had several guest speakers talkabout their interactions with the charity. Even though Nick concentrated on the security side of things, the charity sounded good. The problem was that there were so many fantastic charities around and not enough money in his pocket to donate to them all.

Once the speeches ended, it was time for the second part of the mingling, another time to be on alert.

“Nick, keep to the perimeter,” Brett said.

“Done.”

He was happy to stay back because he could see the wider picture, and it also meant he could monitor the reporters. Everything seemed to be going well. At least until Malachi disappeared.

Nick scanned the ballroom over several minutes, giving the man enough time to return from a bathroom break if he’d been on one, but after twenty minutes, he still hadn’t returned.

“Brett, any eyes on Malachi?”

“Looking now. Why?”

“He’s been absent for twenty minutes now.”

“Anyone else missing?”

Nick scanned the area again, already having checked but wanting to triple-check. “Not that I can see. Everyone else is present and accounted for.”

“We have him on the cameras leaving the ballroom with a server.” Brett paused. “They went into a room down the hall. I’ll send someone to check.”

“I’ll go,” Nick said. He froze as he waited for Brett to argue.

“Okay. Jade, pull back and take Nick’s place.”

“Understood,” Jade said, and Nick watched her break away from Patrick and head towards him.

Jade nodded when they swapped, and Nick headed to the nearest exit.

“Which room, Brett?” he asked as he strode down the hallway.

“Next on your left.”

Nick paused at the door, listening for any sounds inside but couldn’t hear anything. “Do I announce or enter immediately, boss?”

“Enter,” Brett confirmed.

Nick tried the doorknob, but it wouldn’t open. “It’s locked. I’m booting it down.”

“Okay.”

He stepped back and kicked at it, the door flying back on its hinges. He took in the scene in one glance, and fury flowed through him. Before he realised it, he had the server in his hands and held him to the floor, sitting on him when he struggled. He peered at Malachi, who was completely out of it with his clothes half off. He mumbled something incoherent, and Nick growled.

“Brett, get first aid in here, and the police. The fucking server drugged Malachi. He was trying to—” He broke off, unable to say the words. Memories of his sister flooded his head, and it took everything in him to wipe his mind clear so he could think. Malachi wasn’t in any danger at that moment, so he let him be, but the server still bucked and cursed beneath him.

“You have no right to hold me!” the guy shouted.

Nick leaned down, his mouth right at the guy’s ear. “I have every right,” he growled. “And I’m going to make sure you pay for this. My reach is long, and I guarantee I can find something in your past to show you’ve done this before.” The guy paled at Nick’s guess, and Nick tightened his hold. “I will find every single person you have done this to and make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail. You feel me?”

The guy fell silent and stopped trying to dislodge him. Nick wished he would fight so he had an excuse to knock him out, and he almost decided to let him up so he’d have the excuse, but the cavalry arrived before he could lose his mind.

“We’ll take him from here,” two police officers said.

Nick let them take hold, but he grabbed the server’s chin. “What’s your name?” The server licked his lips but didn’t reply. “Either tell me or you spend your hours with me instead of them.”

The guy paled further and muttered, “James Richardson.”

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