Page 91 of Trained Royal
“There you go. All back in again.”
“Oh, fuck.” Another round of contractions wracked him as the image of Kieren putting his release back inside Patrick so he could feel it leak again washed over him.
****
Chapter 27
Kieren
Despite not being signed on to work the event as security, Kieren couldn’t help scanning the crowds to look for danger. It had been his life for many years, after all. Patrick was by his side, their hands joined, but Kieren couldn’t rest.
Nobody appeared to be acting suspicious, but that didn’t ease him at all. They had no clue whether changing the staff that worked the event would stop whatever Charlotte had planned. They could have missed somebody during the vetting process, or that person or those people could be very good at hiding.
“Relax. You’re far too tense,” Patrick said. “These events happen regularly, and although I know you don’t like the security risk, you need to get used to attending them.” He snorted. “And you need to get used to being the centre of attention.”
Kieren refrained from rolling his eyes but only just. “Whenever there’s a risk to your life or the lives of those around you, I will worry.”
Kieren wasn’t wearing an earpiece; therefore, he had no idea if there were any dangers lurking. Brett had refused his request to be kept in the loop during the event, citing Kieren’s need to focus on Patrick and meeting the people. He knew his boss was right, but he didn’t have to like it.
“Patrick! How lovely to see you. I’m happy you could make it.” The older woman, who looked like her clothes, jewellery and beauty regime had cost more than Kieren’s annual salary, glanced at him in passing, then refocused on his boyfriend.
“Emma, how nice to see you again. I’d like to introduce my boyfriend, Kieren.”
Kieren slid his arm around Patrick’s waist, noticing the slight widening of Emma’s eyes. He didn’t know her and didn’t know if her reaction was due to the display of affection or that she had been introduced to someone she deemed unworthy. Either way, he made a note to bring it to Brett’s attention.
“Nice to meet you, Kieren,” she said.
“Likewise.” Kieren smiled, unwilling to acknowledge her uncomfortable demeanour.
Patrick and Emma spoke for a few minutes about Emma’s business, which just happened to be in the fashion industry. The more she spoke, the more he thought he understood her reactions. She appeared to be someone who didn’t like interlopers in her personal bubble. Kieren didn’t care, though. His attention flitted around the room while she spoke.
The evening wore on, and soon it was Henry’s turn to make a speech. If anything was going to happen to Henry, Kieren would have thought whoever was behind it would try now. Not only for the shock value but because Henry was an easy target standing alone on the stage. His bodyguard, Des, was waiting in the wings of the stage, similar to what Kieren had done when Harvey had tried to shoot Patrick.
As they listened to Henry talk about the event and what it meant to him and the people the charity supported, Kieren kept watch. He couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, and when Henry finished his speech to a round of applause, the prince descended the steps with Des behind him.
“Does this mean we’re free and clear?” Patrick whispered.
Kieren tapped his fingertips on his thumb. “We are only free and clear when we all leave this building intact.”
He guided Patrick through the crowds towards Henry, wanting to be closer in case something happened but also fighting against his instinct to get Patrick out of there.
“I’m going to give my apologies to the organiser,” Henry said. “I feel too jumpy to stay any longer.”
“I agree,” Patrick said. “The moment you’re done, come back, and we’ll leave.”
Kieren peered at Des and asked him to let Brett know they should leave one or two guards behind to monitor things and see if they spotted anything suspicious after they left. The guard nodded and followed Henry through the mingling guests.
Patrick faced him, sliding his arms around his waist and staring up at him. “You won’t be able to stop guarding, will you?”
Kieren caressed Patrick’s cheek with his thumb as he pondered his question. “I will never be able to leave it fully because you mean too much to me, but at smaller events or less stressful ones, I should relax further. It’s knowing there’s a risk that puts me on high alert, and I can’t let it go.”
Patrick smiled. “I don’t mind. If you want to keep doing it, I’m happy to support you, but I don’t want you to feel you have to do it. We have other bodyguards to take the stress off you, but I understand how difficult it is. I would never expect you to stop being you.”
Kieren lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to Patrick’s lips. He would never be comfortable making grand displays of affection in front of a large audience, but small gestures he could live with.
“We have plenty of time to discuss what I want to do, but I will tell you this. Making sure you’re safe is my singular focus, and it always will be.”
Patrick grinned. “I like being your singular focus,” he said.
