Chapter 23

Malachi

Although Malachi had no love for Tarrant Milton, he hadn't wanted him dead, either. The whole thing was…

"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."

Malachi gasped and jerked as the voice filled his head. He closed his eyes, frowning, trying to figure out where he'd heard the words and who had said them, but it was as if they were just beyond his reach. He didn't think he'd imagined it. The voice seemed so real, and he recognised it but couldn't put a face to it. He shook his head again and pushed it aside. Hopefully, he'd remember later.

Nick paced from wall to wall, and Malachi had seen enough. He stood. "Right, we're done for now." Nick opened his mouth to complain, but Malachi held up his hand. "We're both exhausted. Let's go."

Exhaling, Nick dropped his hands to his side and nodded. "Okay."

He'd expected more of an argument and wasn't too proud to use Nick's mother against him, but he hadn't needed to. Instead, they headed to the suite together, and before Nick could collapse on the bed, he dragged him into the bathroom.

"Shower first. It's been a long day."

Nick chuckled. "It's barely six o'clock."

"Exactly my point."

The water was amazing. It soothed the aches and pains he'd developed from sitting for so long. But most of all, a wet Nick was a delight to look at. When Nick turned to the spray, Malachi dropped to his knees and waited for him to turn around, and once he did, Malachi wasted no time in guiding his cock to his mouth. Nick groaned the moment he sucked him in, and Malachi relaxed his throat to take him deeper, not wanting to drag this out too long because he had a feeling, the moment Nick climaxed, he'd be dead on his feet. Malachi wouldn't be far behind him, but he wasn't angling for a release for himself, but Nick needed one. So much had happened over the past few days and weeks, and he needed to let it go before he exploded with it all.

He licked around the head, thrumming his tongue against the nerves beneath it, and then sank down again. He moaned when he was deep, and Nick slid his fingers into Malachi's hair, thrusting his hips gently. Malachi glanced up, and Nick's hooded gaze was on him, watching him work his dick.

"Fuck, Kai. You're everything I ever needed. Oh, fuck."

Malachi grabbed Nick's hips and encouraged him to thrust, and then focused on breathing when he could and sucking when he couldn't. Nick tightened his hold in warning, a telltale flush on his chest that had nothing to do with the temperature of the water.

"Kai…"

Malachi lifted off and wrapped a hand around him. "Paint me, Nick."

Nick's breath stuttered, and then he was coming over Malachi's face and neck. He felt an overwhelming need to rub it in, and so he did, closing his eyes and basking in the sensuality of the act.

Dropping to his knees, Nick fused their lips, and Malachi clung on, needing him as much as he needed air. Their tongues duelled, their chests heaved, and they eventually pulled apart.

"How did I get lucky enough to have you?" Nick said.

Malachi smiled, knowing he probably looked a bit dopey, but he didn't care. "Time for bed."

"You need to finish. You're as hard as a rock."

"I don't need to. I'm enjoying this."

Nick kissed him again. "Let's wash you off then, and you can sleep as you are if that's your wish."

He loved that Nick didn't make him feel like he should come. Some guys thought it was a sign of masculinity if they made someone climax, but sometimes, Malachi just enjoyed the arousal constantly spearing through him with no end in sight. It was…him. And Nick seemed to accept it without question, something no one else ever had.

He, unfortunately, washed away Nick's release, but his cock still stood proudly as they climbed into bed.

"The moment you want me to take care of that, let me know," Nick said, and Malachi's heart grew some more.

"I didn't think I could love you anymore, but I do."

"Not sure I deserve it, but I'll take it, anyway." Nick kissed his shoulder, once again the big spoon, and Malachi was asleep before he knew it.

The phone ringing woke them—yet again—and while Nick answered it, Malachi cursed their choice to bring phones into the bedroom. Maybe he could make it a rule that phones be left outside so they weren't constantly interrupting their sleep.

"Uh-huh… That's great… Yeah, I can be there in twenty minutes… Are you sure? I don't mind… Okay, I'll visit him this afternoon instead… Yes, I've slept… No, I haven't eaten yet because you woke us with your call. Not that I'm complaining."

Malachi snorted. It must be his mother. It sounded like good news, and he hoped Rye had woken up. He hadn't heard how long they expected him to sleep off the anaesthesia. Hopefully, he was awake and causing as much havoc as Nick would have.

When Nick hung up the phone, he groaned. "It's barely five in the morning." He put the phone down and snuggled back into Malachi's back. "Mum said hi."

"Hi," Malachi mumbled.

"Rye woke up. He's doing well and can remember what happened, so there's no memory loss, which is good. Mum said we can visit this afternoon because Jonah and Eliza are there at the minute."

"That's good. I doubt he'll be alone at all, so that's one less thing for you to worry about."

"He'll still have a guard—they all will—but I don't think this guy will try again. He made his point."

"I'm going to nip home today and see Mum and Grandma. I also have a couple of articles due, or Tucker will be on my back about it."

"Okay. Please take a guard with you. I don't want to worry if you're safe." Nick pressed his lips to Malachi's shoulder.

"I will." He rolled to his other side, facing him. It wasn't the right time, but he wanted to ask something random. "Can I ask a question, which I promise will never see the light of day in any of my words?"

Nick tensed but nodded slowly. "I can't guarantee I can answer, but you're welcome to ask anything."

"Is there any truth to Club Royal?"

Malachi would give Nick his dues; his poker face was spot on. But it was that poker face that gave him away. If it hadn't been true, Nick would've probably laughed it off.

"The reason I ask," he continued, gathering his courage, "was because I wanted to know if someone could give me some advice about…something who knew what they were talking about. We haven't spoken about much to do with BDSM or limits, though we touched on them, but there's something I'd like more info about."

Nick exhaled shakily. "I might know someone who could help answer your BDSM questions, though it might depend on what those questions are. Would you feel comfortable enough to share with me? You don't have to. I'm not pressuring you at all."

Malachi cupped Nick's cheeks. "I know you're not. You're the last person who would." He inhaled again. "Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there lived a young, reckless reporter, who loved everything royal. He was obsessed from a young age, and that obsession gave him the courage to do what he thought was right. So when he started having feelings about something that wasn't regular and ‘normal,' he panicked and kept it to himself, making it into this big ogre of an idea that he couldn't let out." He inhaled shakily. "Then one day, he saw a video showing this same something as being an escape, a place he could disappear to, a place he was still safe in. But he didn't understand how. How it could work. How it could happen. How it was right. And so he left it stewing inside him, feeding it videos and images irregularly to keep it at bay. And then, this reporter met a knight, who made him feel wonderful, and they fell in love. He gave him the courage to ask about that something that was still tightly held beneath the surface."

Malachi's heart pounded once he'd finished. He couldn't say out loud what his "something" was because he wasn't sure he could explain it properly, but he knew he would have to try at some point; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to do anything.

"What's simmering beneath the surface, Kai? Will you tell me?"

Malachi licked his lips and focused on Nick's chest instead of his face. "I would like to be…" He exhaled, not sure if he could say it aloud. He winced, chewing his lips. Then he inhaled and said, "Whipped."

He couldn't look at Nick, not wanting to see whatever expression was on his face. He'd done some research on the subject, but he could never tell what was truth and what was not, so he'd never tried it, and he'd never gathered the courage to visit a club, especially with his name and face being known as it was, he'd be front page news before he'd made it two steps into the club itself.

Nick's hands cupped his cheek, but he didn't force him to look at him. He just brushed his thumb across his skin. "Thank you for telling me. I know someone who might be able to help, but I need to ask them if they're willing to, first. If you could sign an NDA and promise nothing will ever be written about it, I'm sure it would be okay. I wouldn't be much help myself because although I know something about BDSM, I'm no expert. I will ask them today."

"Thank you."

Nick hadn't answered his question with words, but Malachi could read between the lines, though he'd tell no one. Club Royal was the perfect place to hide in plain sight, and if that's what the royal family were doing, they had done an amazing job of it.

"As we are awake so early, I think we need a pick-me-up before we get ready for work. What do you think?"

Now his cheeks had calmed down, Malachi glanced at Nick, seeing the smirk on his face. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. What did you have in mind?"

Nick rolled them over until Malachi was beneath him, and Malachi's dick perked up immediately. He'd been half hard all night, but he hadn't minded. Delayed gratification had its time and place.

When Nick kissed him, wrapping his hands around his wrists and holding him to the bed while his hips thrust against Malachi's, grinding their cocks together, Malachi's brain went offline. Nick licked into his mouth, and Malachi chased his tongue. He lifted his head, following when Nick rose.

"Keep your hands there," Nick said, bracing himself on one hand and wrapping his other around both their shafts.

"Oh god," Malachi gasped, pushing his head back into the pillow as Nick kicked up the speed and tightened his hold. "I'm going to come if you keep that up."

"As I said, a quick pick-me-up." Nick groaned, his eyes on his movements.

Malachi tried to hold back. He tried so hard, but he couldn't. "Fuck, oh, fuck."

He tensed as ropes of come streaked from him, covering his stomach and chest, and Nick cursed, following him over the edge. Malachi's mind eventually came back online, and he stared down at Nick, who had collapsed on him at some point.

"I like your kind of pick-me-ups," he said, and Nick chuckled, the vibration flowing through him.

Nick rolled off, and Malachi immediately missed his warmth, but the shock of cool air stopped him from falling asleep again. He sat upright, staring down at the mess on him.

"I definitely need another shower."

Nick jumped off the bed, startling him. "Okay. Shower it is. I like showers."

Malachi laughed as Nick grabbed his hands and dragged him towards the bathroom. "Are you equating showers with happy times now?"

"Is that wrong?"

Malachi pretended to think about it. "Probably not."

An hour later, they finally got dressed and headed to Sec HQ for an update before Malachi had to leave. As they entered, a group of people stood in front of the screen, watching and listening to something.

"—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."

As much as Malachi understood the sentiment of those words, he also hated them. He didn't want someone else to die in order for him to survive, and the worst thing was, it happened every day. It was what Nick did. He stood in front of others to make sure they survived, even if it meant he died. Every time Nick left him to go to work, it might be the last time he saw him alive. It certainly brought clarity to what was important in life.

"I love you," he said to Nick, kissing him once more before heading for the door, with Darius following.

"I love you."

Despite the slim chance they would be the last words Nick said to him, they warmed his heart, and he sent another smile over his shoulder before the door closed. As they walked down the corridor towards the suite, he asked Darius, "How do you do it?"

Darius frowned. "Do what?"

"Leave the people who love you behind when, each day, you know you might not be coming back?"

Darius swallowed hard, and his gaze went straight ahead. "I don't know what others do, but I make sure I love that person as much as I can while I'm with them. And then, as awful as it sounds, I put his voice, his laugh, his scent deep down inside me and lock it away until I finish that shift. And when I make home again, I let it out and love him all the more for it."

And didn't that make Malachi feel like shit? He hadn't thought of it from the bodyguard's point of view. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Darius smiled at him. "There are ups and downs to every job."

And those words brought clarity to Malachi like nothing else had, and he knew what he had to do.

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