Page 73 of Protecting his Secrets

“—don’t know anything. I don’t know why you keep saying I do. I was just asked to give the letter to Nick Tennant. I’m not a traitor. I wouldn’t—”

Malachi washed his hands at the sink, staring into the mirror at his reflection. What he wouldn’t give for some more time with Nick. Their relationship was still new, but he had such hopes for them. He wanted everything.

“Shit!” he muttered when the wall next to the sink moved, revealing none other than Tarrant Milton, holding a gun. “What are you doing here? And how did you get in?”

The smack to the head came from nowhere, but the butt of the gun was hard and unyielding. Malachi sank to the floor, his head spinning and nausea welling up fast and sharp.

“Shut the fuck up, Malachi. Or should I say, Kai? You’re a traitor. Someone who makes people think they are aligned, when actually they’re not. What do you do, huh? Gather information about us for the royal family? It wouldn’t surprise me. But now I’m told you have to pay.”

He was shoved to the floor, and another smack hit him, sending him into darkness.

He gasped and found himself on a chair with Nick kneeling in front of him. “It was Tarrant Milton.”

Nick frowned. “What was?”

“The bathroom. Here. It was Tarrant Milton who did it.”

“He’s the one who hurt you?”

Malachi nodded, his breathing finally returning to normal. “I remembered what happened.” He told them the details up to when he blacked out. “From there, obviously, I don’t know.”

“So Tarrant knew something was going on. Did he have contact with the person? Is that why he’s now dead?” Brett asked the room. “Getting rid of witnesses, like you said, Nick.”

“Sounds like. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Well, he wasn’t the one taking the shot at your brother, so is that another lackey, or is that the top man himself?” Brett mused.

“Does it matter? He still needs to be found,” Nick snapped.

Malachi put his hand on Nick’s, squeezing. “Of course he does, Nick, but it’s not Brett’s fault.”

Nick inhaled and exhaled. “Sorry.”

Brett waved him away.

“What were you watching?” Malachi asked.

“Tarrant’s police interviews. We were seeing if we could figure out his role, if he had one. But it seems he did. Can you send us whatever information or emails he sent you so we can get them analysed?”

“Sure. I’ll do that before I go.” He stood, and Nick steadied him. “I’ll be okay. You get to work.” He looked at Nick’s mouth, wanting to kiss him, but not wanting to do it in front of everyone, but Nick took the initiative, dragging him in for a kiss, leaving him breathless, but for a good reason that time.

“Take a guard.”

Malachi shook his head. “I’ll be—”

“Taking a guard. Yes, I know,” Nick interrupted.

Malachi sighed. “Fine.”

Brett called over to them from across the room. “Darius will look after him.”

The man in question came up and introduced himself. “Hey, I’m Darius.” He held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Malachi said, shaking his hand.

“Look after him,” Nick ordered.

Darius placed his hand over his chest. “With my life.”

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