Page 61 of Protecting his Secrets

Owen glanced at Colt, grinning. “How have they not heard about Nick’s mighty fall?”

“No idea. They must’ve been under a rock.” Colt shrugged.

“We’ve only just got back from holiday,” Carl whined.

“This is Nick’s new boyfriend’s family’s house. And guess who the boyfriend is?” Foster and Carl shared a look, and both shrugged. “Malachi Sanders.”

He watched with undisguised humour as their jaws dropped.

“The reporter?” Foster said.

“One and the same,” Owen confirmed. He sobered a bit. “As much as I’m happy he’s found someone, poor Malachi has beenbrought into this…whatever it is, and now his family has been targeted as well.”

“Whoever these fuckers are, they’ll get what’s coming for them,” Foster said.

“That they will,” Colt said. He nudged Owen. “Come on. I need sleep, and I have to take you back first.”

“Okay. Take care of them.”

“Like we would our own family,” Foster promised.

Owen and Colt sped away, each lost in their thoughts. Owen hated that whoever had targeted him, and Dominic before him, was now after Nick or Malachi. They needed to shut this down and quickly because it was pissing him right off.

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Chapter 20

Malachi

Malachi had slept like shit, even though he knew his family was okay. The shock of seeing them supposedly targeted by whoever it was had seeped right down to his bones. It had been real before, but that had made it hell on earth.

By the time he woke the next morning, despite their extremely late midnight rendezvous with Nick’s friends, he was alert and eager to get back to research mode. The offer to get to know the royal family behind the scenes had been put on the back burner as far as he was concerned, and although he wanted to get to know them, he needed to find this person first.

Freshly showered, he found Nick on the phone in the living area, laptop balanced on his knees.

“—seems to be a link there, maybe.” He made a few noises as he listened to the other person. Malachi set a cup ready to make tea when Nick finished, not wanting the boiling kettle to disturb him. “Okay, I’ll add that to my list to check out. Thanks. Speak to you later.” He ended the call and faced him. “Morning. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

Malachi shook his head, leaning over the back of the sofa for a kiss. “I was instantly awake this morning. Eager to get on. Do you want another drink?”

“Sure. I’ll never say no to coffee.”

Malachi chuckled and made them a drink each before settling beside him. “Are we heading back to Sec HQ today?”

“We can, or I can get you a laptop and we can stay here. What would you prefer?”

He thought about it. It might be nice to spend some more time with Nick alone, even if they were technically working. “Here would be good, but only if it doesn’t cause problems with security and me.”

“It’ll be fine. Have you spoken to your mum this morning?”

“No, I thought I’d let her start her day without the reminder that I woke her up and lied to her.” He sighed. “She won’t be happy if she finds out.”

“She’d understand, but I bet she already knows. Mother’s intuition and all that.” Nick huffed a laugh.

“You’re probably right. She’ll have my guts for garters when I next visit.”

Nick laughed. “I’ve not heard that expression for a long time.”

Malachi’s cheeks heated. “It’s something Grandma always says. I’m sure I have lots more priceless ones in my brain somewhere.”

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