Page 80 of Protecting his Secrets

Darius froze. “His credentials checked out,” he said carefully. They stared at one another for a long moment before Darius pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled, heading back into the hallway.

“What’s wrong, dear?”

Malachi tried to smile, but his grandma would see through it; she always did. “We don’t recognise your guard. We’re just checking up to make sure you’re safe.”

Sally nodded and sipped her tea. Malachi filled the silence by telling her about the events at the Windsor Chronicle. She beamed when he told her what he’d said.

“I always knew you could do it, and I’m so glad you’re free now. It was too heavy a burden for you to carry.”

Darius came back in, grim-faced. “They’ve no idea who he was, and he’s disappeared. The guard who was supposed to be on duty is called Foster. Carl is with your mother.”

“So where is Foster?” Malachi asked.

“That’s what I’m going to find out, but first, I need to get you into a safe room of the house, which I’m afraid is the bathroom, as it has the smallest window for anyone to get through.”

Sally huffed as they helped her to the small room. “The dignity of hiding in a bathroom,” she complained when she settledon the closed toilet seat. “I wish we had one of those large bathrooms with armchairs and rugs that you get in hotels. Much more comfortable.”

“Lock this door and don’t let anyone in.” Darius handed him a small gun. “Brett told me you know how to use this.” Malachi nodded. “Shoot anyone who tries to get in.”

“Anyone?”

“Anyone. If it’s a royal bodyguard, we’ll identify ourselves properly and give you the code word.” Darius lowered his voice, leaning closer. “Ratatouille.”

Malachi couldn’t help the laughter. “Intriguing.”

Darius winked. “There’s a story behind it. I’ll gladly tell you once this is over.”

“Deal.”

Darius left, and Malachi locked the bathroom door. There wasn’t enough room to pace, so he sat on the edge of the bathtub and jiggled his leg.

“Everything will be fine, Kai. Don’t you worry. Tell me, how is that young man of yours?”

Malachi couldn’t help but smile. “He’s good. Working hard, as always.”

“At least you can write about happier things now.”

“That’s true.”

She gazed at him, her eyes seeing too much. “You love him.”

His cheeks heated, but he didn’t deny it. “I do. Very much.”

“I can see it.” She waved a hand around her face. “Less stress, more happiness.”

“It’s more than I could have hoped for.”

“I knew you’d find it when you needed it. It’s usually when it happens. When you least expect it but most need it.”

He smiled at her again. “Very true.”

A knock sounded, and he tensed. “Ratatouille. It’s Darius. It’s all clear.”

Malachi unlocked and opened the door. “Did you find him?”

Darius nodded, a grim expression on his face. His gaze went past him to Malachi’s grandmother. “We should have a guard here shortly. Carl is with your mother, and they’re on their way back from the supermarket. They shouldn’t be long.”

Malachi’s brain went through all the possibilities, but his heart knew Foster was dead. Someone had killed him and taken his place. But why? To mess with them, or had he and Darius turned up at just the right minute before Jacobs had done something to his family? His stomach rebelled at the idea, churning and twisting enough that he wasn’t sure he could keep anything down. But as was his grandma’s way, she invited them to sit down for a cup of tea and went about her day as if she hadn’t been in danger.

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