Chapter 11

Nick

It was hard to keep his hands to himself on their walk to the dining room the Sutcliffes usually used for dinner. Originally, Nick had been pissed beyond measure to hear that they intended to let Malachi into their space, but since their chat earlier—and subsequent kisses and fondling—he didn't mind at all. Did that make him two-faced? Maybe. Regardless, a smile crossed his face when Malachi gasped at the room they entered. He'd seen it the day before, but he was so happy to be there.

They were, perhaps, a few minutes later than planned, and the entire royal family was waiting for them.

"I apologise for being late, Your Majesty," he said to the king.

"You don't need to apologise, Nick. Things happen, and we've not been waiting long." Andrew smiled at them. "Malachi, would you like to join us here?" He waved at the seat between Kendal and Douglas—the seat usually reserved for Douglas himself. "That way, you should be able to see and speak to all of us more easily."

"I don't want to get in the way, Your Majesty. I'm happy sitting at the end."

"Nonsense. One day of moving around won't harm anyone. Please, sit."

Malachi glanced at Nick, and he sent him a smile and a nod before taking his post against the wall. As Malachi took his seat, Nick met Freddie's gaze, and a barely concealed smirk. Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head, even as his cheeks heated.

"Did you get the chance to visit the kitchen this afternoon, Malachi? The staff make a wonderful afternoon tea," Kendal said.

Malachi cleared his throat. "We—I got a little distracted, so I didn't get the opportunity."

"Have you not eaten since you woke?" Andrew asked, frowning.

Nick's stomach grumbled at the reminder of his lack of food. He'd been too busy reading Malachi's file to think about eating, and then afterwards… Well, who wanted to think about food?

"I had a nap, but it's okay."

Andrew pierced Nick with his gaze. "Have you eaten?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty."

Andrew sighed. "Sit your ass down, Nick."

Nick straightened at the king's almost curse, even as a chuckle wound through the room. "Honestly, Your—"

"Sit. Down."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Nick settled into the chair on the other side of Eddie, unwilling to disobey a direct order, and met Malachi's gaze. Malachi dipped his head but not before Nick saw his smile. "And happy birthday, Your Highness," he said to Kean.

Kean grinned. "Thank you, Nick."

"And a happy birthday from me, too," Malachi added. "I hope you've had a wonderful day."

"I have, thank you. Far too many gifts from everyone, and I feel decidedly spoilt, but it was fantastic. Is fantastic." He shared a smile with Andrew and Kendal, who squeezed his hand across the table.

Nick would've liked to be able to do the same to Malachi, but they hadn't covered the subject of whether Malachi wanted their relationship to be known, especially if he was keeping Malachi Sanders and Kai Ruffers separate. If he started a relationship with someone so close to the crown, would it affect his job?

A plate was put in front of him, and his stomach growled at the scents tantalising him. If he wasn't mistaken, it was chicken cacciatore, one of his mother's favourite recipes.

"Dig in, everyone," Andrew said.

The chicken melted in his mouth, and the tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms gave it a hearty flavour. It rivalled his mother's, but he would always choose hers over anyone else's, even if he had a gun to his head.

The surrounding conversation had the same feel as the dinners he had at his parents' when everyone was there. The muted individual ones as well as a larger one that everyone dipped in and out of. It was hard for him to describe it to someone who didn't know what he meant, but he could see it happening there. It was wonderful to see all of them include Malachi in it—though he'd expected no less. Malachi still seemed a little wide-eyed and starstruck, but at least he got his words out.

"If you look at him like that much longer, there will be no chance of denying your feelings for him," Eddie murmured.

Nick glanced at him and then away, focusing on his plate. "I don't know what you mean, Your Highness."

Eddie chuckled. "You won't get away with it. George has already figured it out if the glances he keeps sending you are any indication. Freddie seems to know, which means Damon knows. Andrew keeps checking on you with a small smile on his face. You're not as sneaky as you usually are, Nick."

Butterflies filled his stomach, but he couldn't deny Eddie's observations. "It's early days, Your Highness. We have yet to figure anything out other than we would like the chance to explore what it could be. I don't have more of an answer for you."

Eddie faced him. "You don't need to have an answer for me. You don't need to have an answer for anyone. The only ones who matter are you and Malachi. I'm sorry if my words came across as out of order. I was merely warning you in case you hadn't wanted to expose your thoughts."

Nick wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Not at all, Your Highness. You weren't out of order. Thank you for telling me. As I said, it's early days, and I've yet to confirm with him what his preference is for telling people."

"I have to admit, I'm a little surprised, though. I thought you hated him."

Nick wasn't sure how much Malachi wanted to tell anyone, so he hedged his words. "I didn't like that my attraction was to someone who could write what he did. But he's not what he writes. Those are just words. He's…" Nick glanced at Malachi, finding the man looking back at him. "Different."

"I'm glad to hear it. I wish you both the best." Eddie smirked. "You might want to bring him to the club," he whispered. "That would blow his mind."

Nick choked on the drink he'd just sipped at. He banged against his chest to clear it, waving away any help. "I don't think that's a good idea at the moment, Your Highness."

Eddie chuckled. "Maybe not. But if things go the way they seem to be headed, you might want to make time in your schedule to take him there. You might be surprised what he's into."

Nick studied Eddie. "Do you know something I don't?"

Eddie's mouth twitched. "Not at all. It's just what I can see from his body language. I've become adept at reading people."

When Eddie didn't continue, Nick sighed. "I'll consider it, okay?"

"Good for you." Eddie sipped his wine. "At least it should be."

Nick didn't try to get any more information from him because he knew a closed book when he saw one. If Malachi had any interest in BDSM or kink, it would need to be kept as far from Club Royal as possible until he finished his contract with the Windsor Chronicle.

"Nick," Freddie called. "I was just discussing a possible change in plans for tomorrow. A visit to Frogmore is still on the cards, but then we're heading to RAF Northolt to speak with some people there. Would it be okay for you and Malachi to join us?"

Nick took a breath. Changing plans was not ideal, but it was something that always happened. He'd been to Northolt several times and could see no reason to deny the visit.

"I'll double-check with Brett, but I don't see it being a problem."

Malachi's bright grin made his decision worthwhile, and he sent an answering one back. When Malachi turned back to Freddie, Nick met George's gaze, the prince grinning at him, much like Malachi had. Nick sighed and refocused on his food. He would never hear the end of this. He needed to warn Malachi as soon as possible that the princes had ulterior motives. What those motives were, though, was anyone's idea.

When the dinner ended, Malachi was full of chatter and smiles, making it hard to keep Nick's smile in check. As they headed to the door, following Princes Douglas and Mav, Andrew called to him.

Nick glanced at Malachi, who said, "I'll wait outside."

Nick shook his head, but Douglas said, "We'll stay with him until you're finished."

They didn't wait, but instead, headed for the door, closing it behind them and leaving Nick with Andrew, Kean and Kendal. Nick strode over to them, hoping they'd get to the point so he could be with Malachi again. God, he had it bad already.

"How are you managing with Malachi?" A slight curve to the corners of his mouth accompanied Andrew's words.

Nick didn't sigh like he wanted to. "We're getting along fine now some misunderstandings have been cleared up."

Andrew's smile came out in full force with those words. "Glad to hear it. I have to say, it's not like you to take an instant dislike to someone. You've been wandering around the castle like you had a permanent rain cloud over your head."

Nick did sigh at that. "I know, Your Majesty. I didn't like what he wrote, and that stopped me from seeing the real him."

"Which is?"

Did the king know Malachi's alter ego? Did Nick have it in him to tell them about it? He exhaled, knowing he was going to break Malachi's confidence, but hoping Malachi didn't hate him for it. After all, Nick's priority was the crown.

"He only writes what he does because he's locked into a contract he can't get out of. However, he contradicts that writing by writing as another name, Kai Ruffers."

Kean gasped. "Seriously? I've read Kai Ruffer's work, and he has a huge affinity for all things royal." He glanced at Andrew. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Andrew smiled. "Because then we would've had two starstruck people at the table."

That answered the question of if Andrew knew. But of course he did. He knew everything.

"Also, I didn't know about this contract. I assumed he was there because he wanted to be." Andrew stared at him.

"I don't know everything about it, but from what I can gather, Malachi was locked into a contract right from the beginning. He has less than a year left, and he has no plans to renew the contract again."

"Do you think Mav might be able to help him?" Kendal asked. "With his reputation, I mean? It's got to be hard doing the work he hates under his real name. What's he going to do afterwards? Change his name to Kai Ruffers?" Kendal tilted their head, frowning. It cleared quickly, replaced with a grin and a chuckle. "Clever. Sanders and Ruffers. One sands things down, one roughs things up."

Clever indeed. Nick hadn't caught on to that, but it was something he needed to ask Malachi about.

"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"

Andrew waved him away. "Go. Just remember the plans for tomorrow. And make sure you eat next time," he chided.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your Highnesses."

He turned on his tail and strode for the door, opening it rather more forcefully than he meant to and closing it a lot quieter. Douglas and Mav stood a short distance down the corridor, but Malachi was nowhere to be seen. Nick's heart raced.

"Where is he?"

Mav pointed to the bathroom door, one door down from where they stood, and Nick settled.

"So, you and Malachi, huh?" Douglas said, grinning.

"Shut up. Your Highness," Nick said, staring at the door Malachi should appear from.

"I'm only messing with you," Douglas said, clasping his shoulder. "I'm glad you've found someone. I was starting to worry you'd be single forever."

"You weren't the only one, Your Highness."

After a little more chatter, Nick's stomach churned. Where was Malachi? He started down the corridor slowly, his mind telling him he was fine, but also remembering what had happened in the restaurant bathroom. What if Malachi couldn't shout for help? His brain—wonderfully creative as it was—sent more images of things that could've happened as he drew closer.

"What's wrong, Nick?" Douglas asked.

"It's been too long," Nick muttered. His gaze darted around, trying to figure out why his instincts were screaming at him. "Prince Douglas, Prince Mav, please retreat further down the corridor and call Brett."

"We can help—"

"No, sir. Please. I won't be good to anyone if I have to divide my concentration between you and whatever my instincts are trying to tell me."

He waited for them to move back to where they had been standing while Mav was on the phone. Then he concentrated on the door, leaning closer to see if he could hear anything, but the doors were thick and almost soundproof. Not wanting to advertise he was entering before he did in case something was amiss, he gripped the handle and pulled his gun from his holster. Inhaling, he twisted the knob and entered quickly.

Immediately, his gaze took in Malachi lying on the floor, blood dripping from his head, and as much as he wanted to go to him, he needed to clear the room first. He checked every toilet cubicle and every inch where someone could hide, but there was no one.

Nick reholstered his gun and crouched beside Malachi. He didn't move him. "Malachi? Can you hear me?" No response. "What is it with you and bathrooms?" he muttered. He checked him over, but other than a lump to his head beneath the cut that steadily dripped blood, he was fine. Had he slipped and fallen? Nick glanced around the room, checking the sinks and handles for any signs of blood. Nothing. What had happened?

"Is he okay?" Dominic asked, and Nick cursed, having not heard him enter.

"He's out for the count, but he has a steady pulse and is breathing."

"What happened?"

Nick shook his head. "No idea. We were waiting outside for him, but when he was in here for a while, I came to investigate because my instincts were blaring."

"Can't see any signs of him hitting his head on something," Dominic said, agreeing with Nick's quiet investigation. "The blood from his head looks like it started while lying down." He frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Dominic rubbed his chin. "If someone had fallen to the floor, there would be more of a splatter pattern as the blood exited his wound with the impact. But there are no drips in an arc around him at all. It's almost like he was either lying down when he started bleeding or…"

"He was positioned that way. Fuck."

Dominic was on his phone before Nick finished his words. "Lock down Windsor. Now!" he barked.

"No one was in here when I came in, and we were outside the whole time."

Dominic sighed and stood. He walked over to the corner of the room. The wall had a cut-out bit where Nick assumed the pipes were hidden, but Dominic pulled on the corner and the wall swung out, revealing a gap.

"It's a secret passageway," Dominic growled. "I'm sick and tired of these being used to hurt people. First thing tomorrow, I'm going to request every single damned one of these be permanently closed. They're nothing but trouble." Nick could understand his anger with what happened to Randall.

"Where does this one lead?" Nick asked as he checked Malachi's pulse again.

"If I'm not mistaken—and I might be because I don't know every inch of these tunnels, though I will—this one leads to the kitchen, but it also has maybe two doors off it, but I can't think where they go right now." He dialled again. "Felix, get the map of the tunnels up for me." He paused. "Yeah. This bathroom to where?" He listened and grimaced. "Thanks." He hung up. "The kitchen, as I said, but also the receiving room and outside."

Nick stared at Malachi's pale face. "So whoever they are has either gone or is in hiding. Household staff member, do you think?"

Dominic shook his head. "It could be anyone."

Nick exhaled roughly. "I don't like this, Dom. This is the third incident to involve Malachi. Are they aiming their wrath at Malachi or the royal family, and Malachi is merely convenient?"

"I don't know. But until we know further, I think we need to keep Malachi close by."

Nick cursed. "Jesus, Dominic. We were! We were right outside! How much closer do we need to be to stop this from happening? He deserves so much more than this shit," he finished in a mutter.

After retrieving another gauze pad and replacing it on Malachi's cut, he stroked his hand through Malachi's hair with his free hand. He hated that he didn't know what was going on. It reminded him of when the terror had reigned through the castle when the king's sister and brother had chosen to wreak havoc. That hadn't ended well.

His thoughts derailed when Malachi started moving and moaning. "It's okay, Kai. It's okay. Take it easy."

"Nick?" he muttered, barely able to keep his eyes open, which was unsurprising given the undoubted headache he would have.

"I'm here." He cradled Malachi's cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Tah…ruh…mmm," Malachi murmured, his eyes closing again.

Nick panicked a second when he slumped once again, but a quick check of his pulse had him relaxing.

"What did he say?" Dominic asked.

"I'm not sure. Tah. Ruh. Mmm." Nick frowned. "Tarum? I can't think of anyone with that name."

"I'll get Felix on it. He'll put it through the computers to see what comes up."

The ambulance crew arrived and though it killed him, Nick stepped aside.

They needed to figure out what the hell was going on.

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