Page 42 of Protecting his Secrets

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Chapter 14

Nick

Nick couldn’t believe he’d put his foot in his mouth within the first few minutes of meeting Malachi’s mother. He was so stupid. And then, when Malachi almost fainted in pain, he felt worse. It didn’t make any difference that Malachi reassured him he was going to tell them, he’d still messed up.

“Sorry,” he said.

Malachi waved him away.

“I think a cup of tea is in order. Nick?”

He hated tea. “Yes, thank you.”

Malachi smacked his arm. “You don’t drink tea, you idiot. He’ll have coffee, please, Mum.”

Nick’s face bloomed, and he glanced at Emily and ducked his head. “Coffee, please, ma’am. If it’s not too much trouble.”

He didn’t look up until he heard her leave, and then he met Malachi’s humour-filled gaze.

“She won’t bite, you know.”

“She’s your mother. She should.”

“Oh, shecould.But she won’t.” Malachi grinned, making Nick feel a little better, though he didn’t know why. Was it because he knew someone else had Malachi’s back? He’d have to somehow let his family know that Malachi now had him, his family and the royal family behind him, too.

When Emily returned with their drinks, he settled properly next to his reporter and braced himself for the third degree.

He didn’t get it.

“Malachi Sanders, what the heck have you been getting yourself into now?” a voice called from the doorway.

An older version of Malachi’s mother entered, leaning heavily on a cane but in no way, shape or form did it diminish her personality. Malachi went to rise, and Nick jumped up to help him. He smiled at him before facing his grandmother.

“Hello, Grandma.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “As usual, I’m a clumsy so-and-so.”

Before Nick could wonder why they were keeping things quiet from her, Malachi’s grandmother said, “You can’t lie worth shit, boy.”

Malachi laughed again, and Nick caught him as he stumbled. They needed to stop making him laugh. He helped him back onto the sofa and settled beside him. Sally settled into an armchair next to Malachi and patted his knee. While they waited for Malachi’s pain to ease, Sally pierced him with her gaze.

“So, Nicholas Tennant. What are your plans for Malachi?”

Malachi groaned. “Seriously, Grandma?”

Sally didn’t break their staring match, and the need to move intensified, but he had never shied away from anything, and he wasn’t going to start now.

“I’ve always been attracted to him, and he’s giving us the opportunity to see if this could go somewhere.”

Sally narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, continuing to stare at him. But then she cracked a grin, and Nick’s heart resumed beating when it made her look ten years younger. He doubted he was out of the woods yet, by the expression on Emily’s face, but at least one person didn’t seem to hate him on sight.

“You are so mean, Grandma,” Malachi said, though he still had his eyes closed. “Nick, stop worrying. No one is going toeat you alive. I promise.” He rolled his head towards him and smiled, cracking his eyelids open. “I won’t let them.”

Nick smiled back. “Do you want some more paracetamol? You’ve been laughing a lot since we got here.”

“It’s because you’re all hilarious,” he deadpanned. “No, I think I’m okay, as long as I don’t move too much.” He rolled his head back towards his family. “I doubt anyone else is joining us, are they?”

Emily sighed, her expression softening but saddening. “No. I told them you were coming over, but they’re busy.” She smiled tightly. “So, Kai, what happened?”

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