Page 82 of Protecting his Secrets

Darius’s mouth kicked up at the corners. “You’re not the only one. Oh, how I wish you were reluctant to go to a coffee shop.”

They laughed as they headed back to the car before climbing in and Darius leading them to a cemetery further afield from the closest. It didn’t matter that the place was in a beautiful setting. It still seemed creepy. But as they wandered through the graves, Darius sighed.

“I think we have a winner.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one is here yet, so I think they had bugged your phone. That’s how they were keeping track of you. And then the radios were keeping tabs on us.”

Malachi sighed. “I’m so sick of this. I don’t know how you can all stand the whiplash you get. Don’t get me wrong, I know chasing a story isn’t all bells and whistles, but it’s better than the mountains and valleys we’ve been through recently.”

Darius squeezed his shoulder, turning them back towards the car. “Let’s get back now. Nick is probably wondering where you are, and since we’ve lost our tail, we might even be able to stop for coffee on the way.”

Malachi fell silent during the trip, unable to stop the melancholy from weighing down his shoulders. First, he had to deal with Tucker, and then what happened at Grandma’s house, and now being followed. All of a sudden, it was too much.

Nick raced into the car park when they pulled up and opened Malachi’s door before he could.

“Hey, how are you doing?”

Malachi closed his eyes. “I’m tired, Nick.”

Nick cupped his cheek, and Malachi nuzzled against it. “I know, sweetheart. We’re almost there, though. I’m sure of it.”

Malachi blinked and climbed out, wrapping himself around him. “Why do you say that?” he murmured.

“Because you broke up with me.”

Malachi jerked back, almost colliding his head with Nick’s chin. “What? No, I didn’t!”

Nick grinned. “I know. But I’ve never been more glad about it. They fucked up.”

“Why?”

Nick led him into the castle, his arm around his shoulders. “They were very careful with their writing. It sounded just like you would’ve done had you written it. The problem is, they signed it Malachi, and I know you want to go by Kai now. And also, although we haven’t talked in detail, I know you know that I can help you. That letter said you didn’t think I could. If I hadn’t been secure in us, sweetheart, I would’ve fallen for it.They needed us separated or on the outs. Didn’t work how they thought.”

Darius brought them all up to speed when they reached Sec HQ.

“What concerns me,” Brett said, “is that your phone was replaced four months ago.” When no one responded, he shook his head. “You weren’t even on our radar for a visit here until two months ago. What made them choose you?”

Nick paced, raking his fingers through his hair. “You’re telling me, this asshole staged everything? Knowing how we would react to certain triggers.”

Brett gave a grim nod. “Looks like it.”

Nick stared at him. “He set up the initial attack at the charity dinner just to set the ball rolling, knowing the royal family would do whatever it took to make it up to Kai. From then, it was just tweaking the plan with other events to push us where they wanted us.”

“We’re puppets to his show,” Malachi said.

“But what’s the finale?” Felix asked.

“I don’t think I want to find out,” Malachi said. “How did that letter even get into our suite?”

“A household staff member hand-delivered it. He doesn’t know where it came from, only that it was amongst the letters they had to distribute when he started working this morning.”

Malachi dropped his head into his hands. “I would ask how he knew I was leaving, but he would’ve heard it on my phone.”

Brett nodded, and Malachi stood. “I’m sorry, but I’m done for today. I just…can’t.”

“Go get some rest. Both of you. We’re still waiting for some information, and we probably won’t have it until tomorrow, anyway. Sleep.”

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