Page 40 of Protecting his Secrets

“We went through everything with Brett and Felix, and from what we can gather—which isn’t much mind—they have to be part of our household staff or they know someone who is, and they helped get them away. We’ve been through everyone present when we locked down Windsor, and no one brought up any red flags. All we can assume, right now, is that they somehow got out of Windsor undetected.” Freddie frowned. “It’s something we will be rectifying immediately. But don’t worry yourself with that. Just get better. And as soon as you’re released, you’re welcome to come back—if you want to. Although we completely understand if you don’t ever want to darken our halls again.” Freddie’s smile grew, and Malachi returned it.

“I would love to come back. But maybe I should visit my family first.”

Freddie nodded. “I understand completely. Feel free to extend the invitation to your family as well, if it would make them feel better about you being there. Anyway, I better take my leave before I give Nick here a heart attack.”

Malachi glanced at Nick, and sure enough, the vein in his temple pulsed wildly. He grinned, barely hiding another wince.

“If I was to have a heart attack so easily, I would’ve had a hundred by now, Your Highness,” Nick said.

Freddie chuckled. “Get well soon…Kai.”

Malachi’s smile widened. He sure did love being called Kai instead, but he had to admit, he liked it best when Nick said it. The prince left, and Nick turned to him.

“Right. You need to rest. I’ll even tuck you in.”

“I’m already tucked in,” he said as Nick tucked the covers tighter around his body. “Well, thank you, kind sir.”

Nick settled back into the uncomfortable chair, and Malachi closed his eyes. Finally, his head stopped spinning.

“Nick?” he whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Will you read me a bedtime story?”

There was a slight pause, and Malachi didn’t think he would, but then he cleared his throat. “Once upon a time, there was an evil reporter called…Guy…”

Malachi’s mouth curved, and he drifted to the sounds of Nick’s voice as he wove a tale of intrigue and madness. And when Malachi finally headed towards sleep, he knew he was safe.

****

“I understand if you don’t want me there, but someone has to go with you,” Nick stated, and by the look of his body language, there would be no changing his stance.

Malachi sighed and rubbed his forehead, bypassing the lump, as he resigned himself to having a guard while visiting his family.

“I’m happy for you to come, but I doubt you want to meet my mum and grandma so soon.” He rose from the bed carefully. Most of the dizziness and double vision had disappeared over the last twenty-four hours, and only the blinding headaches remained, varying in strength, depending on the situation. But the doctors had cleared him for release, and he was going no matter what.

Nick readjusted his position against the wall, crossing one ankle over the other and staring down at them. “Whatever will make you more comfortable.”

Enough was enough. “Nick, you need to make this decision, not me. I’m going home, regardless, and I would love you to meet everyone, but we’ve barely started our relationship. Few people introduce their bodyguard and boyfriend at the same time.”

Nick’s mouth quirked. “Could be a good story.”

“Nick…”

Nick pushed off the wall and dropped his hands to his sides. “If you are sure you’re happy introducing me, I am happy to come with you.”

Malachi studied him, and Nick stared right back, unwavering, solid. “Okay. Welcome to ‘meet the family’ day.”

As his discharge papers had already been completed, he followed Nick to the lifts and down the long corridors towards the exit. Murals decorated the walls in vibrant colours, letting patients and visitors take a journey through various landscapes. That one was a rainforest, and the work was so vivid, it felt like he was there.

“This was done by a thirteen-year-old, you know?” he murmured.

“She’s definitely going into a bright future with this talent,” Nick said.

Malachi mulled over that as they drove towards his grandmother’s house. What he wouldn’t give for a do-over, as long as it didn’t affect the outcome. He wouldn’t change a thing if it meant his mother didn’t get the treatment she needed. But it would’ve been nice to choose a different path. One he didn’t have to continually blacken his soul to keep. It was only because the Sutcliffes were the kindest people on the planet that he could finally write his evil words with less pain. They understood.Maybe not everything, but they knew he wouldn’t be doing it without a reason, and by not asking him to give that reason, they had accepted it.

Shame other people weren’t of the same opinions.

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