Chapter 25

Malachi

After Malachi had sent the Tarrant emails to Felix, he collected his belongings and gave a fond smile of farewell to the suite. He doubted they would use it again, especially as they both had homes they could visit each other in.

Exiting the suite, he found Darius waiting for him. "Thank you for this."

"It's no problem at all. Happy to help. So, what's the plan?"

Malachi sighed. "I need to visit my boss first, and then we can go to Grandma's house. After that, I guess it'll be home."

"Simple. I like it."

Malachi snorted, and they headed for the car. Darius drove—because of course he did—and they headed for the Windsor Chronicle office building. His stomach churned at the thought of what he was going to do, but it needed to be done. He had no choice now, and though the future scared him, working for Tucker had become a no-go any longer. It was time he stood on his own two feet and listened to his heart instead of his head.

On the trip up in the lift, Darius asked if he was okay.

"I'm just about to quit my job, and I expect some hurtful words and pushback. I'm a little stressed."

Darius clasped a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be with you in the room. All will be well."

"Thanks."

He felt like he was walking to his doom when the doors opened onto the busy office floor, and with the looks some of them gave him, he knew his time had come, no matter the decision he'd come to on his own. He knocked on Tucker's door.

"Enter."

Malachi headed inside, Darius following him and closing the door behind them.

"Well, if it isn't the quintessential royal backer," Tucker said with a smile. "Or should I call you Kai?"

"You have no right to call me anything. As of this moment, I no longer work for you." He sounded a lot more confident than he felt.

Tucker snorted. "You have to follow the process the same as everyone. One month's notice."

"Actually, I don't. My contract states, as I found out when I requested someone to check it, that it's a rolling monthly contract which can be ended at any point without notice. Remember? You put that in yourself, in case you wanted to get rid of me. Well, it works both ways."

Tucker's face grew a darker shade of red with every word, and Malachi took great pleasure in it. He had Felix to thank for the information. He wasn't under the impression that Tucker would let him go without a fight, though.

"You have commitments to uphold."

"No, I have whatever you deem necessary for me to write. That's not the same thing. And as I said, I no longer work for you."

Tucker stood, placing his hands on the desk and leaning forward. It was a pose he often took to make him feel superior and whoever was on the other side of the desk feel inferior. It used to work, but then Nick showed him what life could be like if he just stopped being scared of what-ifs.

"You still owe me three articles."

Malachi tilted his head. "Check your email."

As much as he'd hated it, he'd written the three articles Tucker had mentioned because he had said he would do them. He hadn't liked it, but it was the only argument Tucker had, and Malachi didn't want any chance of making things worse. So, he'd caved and written them. And he'd only thrown up once instead of three times.

"Good luck."

He turned and walked out, enjoying the approving smile and nod from Darius—not that he needed it, but it felt good anyway.

"Don't think your name is going on these!" Tucker shouted.

He didn't reply. Stopping at his desk, he grabbed what few belongings he had dared leave in the place full of Rottweilers and headed out. When he got to the street, he exhaled.

"You don't need to hear it, I'm sure, but well done. That was nicely played."

"I've spent far too long in his clutches to not know how he works. As much as I hate the idea of writing those final articles—well, all of them really—it was the only way he would've left me alone."

They climbed back into the car and aimed for Malachi's grandma's house. "You remind me of Jason."

Malachi frowned, not recalling the name. "Who's Jason?"

Darius smiled. "My boyfriend. He had a tough time with it, but recently, he was able to cut himself free from his awful family. It's how we met, actually." He shook his head and grinned. "I'll never forget the sight of him when he faced his father the final time. But more so when he got custody of his siblings. I've never seen him happier."

Malachi gasped. "Prince George's best friend! I heard about that. I promise I didn't write about that, though."

Darius waved him off. "It happened, but we came out the other side, and you will, too. Maybe I can introduce you at the party."

"I'd like that."

When they arrived at his grandma's house, Malachi was eager to tell them his news. He knocked and entered straightaway. "Mum! Grandma!"

"In the kitchen, dear," his grandma said.

Malachi strode into the room, coming to a stop beside where she was making herself a cup of tea. "I did it, Grandma. I don't work there anymore."

Sally peered at him, her gaze roaming across his face until a smile grew across hers. "Really?" He nodded, and she hugged him. "I'm so glad. That job was killing you. Ich liebe dich, Kai."

"I love you, too, Abuela." He pulled back. "Where's Mum?"

"She's at the supermarket with that bodyguard. I can't remember his name. They all look the same."

A chuckle from behind them reminded him that Darius was still with him. "Speaking of… Grandma, this is Darius. Darius, my grandmother, Sally."

"Very nice to meet you, ma'am." He put his hand on his chest and bowed his head to her.

Sally looked him up and down. "He's almost as nice as your Nick."

Malachi and Darius laughed. "He's also taken, so no getting ideas, Grandma."

"Where is your bodyguard, ma'am?" Darius asked. "Aren't you supposed to have someone staying here and accompanying your daughter?"

Sally waved towards the front of the house. "He needed the bathroom."

Darius frowned. "Okay. I'll check in with him while you chat." He glanced at Malachi and mouthed, "Stay in here."

Malachi's stomach twisted. Why was Darius worried? Bodyguards had to go to the bathroom during a shift, didn't they? Trying not to worry, he carried Sally's cup to the table and helped her into the chair, even though she didn't need it; he liked helping her, and she liked letting him. Half of his brain was on his conversation with his grandma, but the other half was on Darius.

When Darius returned, he appeared calm. "Jacobs is back outside again now."

Malachi frowned. "I didn't know there was a guard called Jacobs. Is he new?" Malachi asked.

Darius froze. "His credentials checked out," he said carefully. They stared at one another for a long moment before Darius pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled, heading back into the hallway.

"What's wrong, dear?"

Malachi tried to smile, but his grandma would see through it; she always did. "We don't recognise your guard. We're just checking up to make sure you're safe."

Sally nodded and sipped her tea. Malachi filled the silence by telling her about the events at the Windsor Chronicle. She beamed when he told her what he'd said.

"I always knew you could do it, and I'm so glad you're free now. It was too heavy a burden for you to carry."

Darius came back in, grim-faced. "They've no idea who he was, and he's disappeared. The guard who was supposed to be on duty is called Foster. Carl is with your mother."

"So where is Foster?" Malachi asked.

"That's what I'm going to find out, but first, I need to get you into a safe room of the house, which I'm afraid is the bathroom, as it has the smallest window for anyone to get through."

Sally huffed as they helped her to the small room. "The dignity of hiding in a bathroom," she complained when she settled on the closed toilet seat. "I wish we had one of those large bathrooms with armchairs and rugs that you get in hotels. Much more comfortable."

"Lock this door and don't let anyone in." Darius handed him a small gun. "Brett told me you know how to use this." Malachi nodded. "Shoot anyone who tries to get in."

"Anyone?"

"Anyone. If it's a royal bodyguard, we'll identify ourselves properly and give you the code word." Darius lowered his voice, leaning closer. "Ratatouille."

Malachi couldn't help the laughter. "Intriguing."

Darius winked. "There's a story behind it. I'll gladly tell you once this is over."

"Deal."

Darius left, and Malachi locked the bathroom door. There wasn't enough room to pace, so he sat on the edge of the bathtub and jiggled his leg.

"Everything will be fine, Kai. Don't you worry. Tell me, how is that young man of yours?"

Malachi couldn't help but smile. "He's good. Working hard, as always."

"At least you can write about happier things now."

"That's true."

She gazed at him, her eyes seeing too much. "You love him."

His cheeks heated, but he didn't deny it. "I do. Very much."

"I can see it." She waved a hand around her face. "Less stress, more happiness."

"It's more than I could have hoped for."

"I knew you'd find it when you needed it. It's usually when it happens. When you least expect it but most need it."

He smiled at her again. "Very true."

A knock sounded, and he tensed. "Ratatouille. It's Darius. It's all clear."

Malachi unlocked and opened the door. "Did you find him?"

Darius nodded, a grim expression on his face. His gaze went past him to Malachi's grandmother. "We should have a guard here shortly. Carl is with your mother, and they're on their way back from the supermarket. They shouldn't be long."

Malachi's brain went through all the possibilities, but his heart knew Foster was dead. Someone had killed him and taken his place. But why? To mess with them, or had he and Darius turned up at just the right minute before Jacobs had done something to his family? His stomach rebelled at the idea, churning and twisting enough that he wasn't sure he could keep anything down. But as was his grandma's way, she invited them to sit down for a cup of tea and went about her day as if she hadn't been in danger.

"So, Darius, tell me about you."

And that was how Malachi came to know the entire Darius and Jason story, plus more information than Darius probably had intended to share, but it was his grandma. She'd be good at interrogations.

Malachi would be the first to admit that when the new guard turned up and it wasn't Nick, he was disappointed, but he couldn't keep expecting him to drop everything and run to him when there was a problem. He had his own job to do.

His brain was rebelling, though. So much had happened in such a short amount of time that he was clutching at so many balloon strings, trying to keep them from floating away. By the time his mother returned and they'd talked a little, Malachi was done.

"I have to go, but I'll be back again soon. Now I'm working for myself, I can choose my hours." He grinned, half-hearted as it might've been.

As they drove away, Darius said, "I'd like to try something if you agree."

"What?"

"I'm trying to figure out if this person knows where you are. I want to take you to a place you would never dream of visiting yourself. Can you think of somewhere?"

"The river boats. I hate the idea and avoid them where possible. Even watching them freaks me out."

"Okay. Try not to freak out on me while we're there, though, yeah?"

Malachi chuckled. "I'll do my best. Are you going to tell anyone?"

Darius sighed. "I'll admit to being reluctant to because any communication with them could be intercepted. I know Felix found they were hearing our radios and he stopped it, but they could have others. But I also know, you must be running out of people you deem safe and secure. If you'd prefer me to tell someone, I can."

"No, it's okay. If Brett trusts you, I trust you."

Darius sent him a smile, and they dropped into silence. He parked the car, and Malachi shivered as the cool breeze, wafting from the river, reached him.

"What made you not like boats?" Darius asked as they settled on a bench near to, but not close enough to view, the edge of the water.

Malachi shook his head and rubbed his hands together, not enjoying recalling the event. "I fell off one when I was younger and almost drowned."

"Holy shit, that would do it." Darius whistled. "I completely understand that."

Malachi filled his lungs with salty air and closed his eyes. "It's funny because I'm fine at the beach. But there's something about rivers. A sense of claustrophobia, maybe. I don't know."

"Phobias are weird things."

"How will you know if they've found us?"

Darius sighed. "They already have. Have you had any technical issues recently where you've had to get your laptop fixed, or your tablet, or your phone? Anything like that?"

Malachi frowned, thinking back. "How recently are you thinking?"

Darius shrugged. "Just the most recent."

"Well, my phone had issues around four months ago, I think it was. I had to get a replacement through my insurance."

"Do you have all your phone data saved somewhere else as well as on your phone? Phone numbers and whatnot?"

"I think so. Why?"

"Can I have your phone, please?"

Malachi gave it over without a second thought, and when Darius threw it in the river, he certainly didn't feel the need to check if it was okay by going closer. He just watched it sail over the edge and disappear. He sighed. "I guess I need to contact my insurance again," he muttered.

"Sorry. Can you think of another place where you might not usually visit to test my theory?"

Malachi blew out a breath. "The cemetery? I find it rather creepy."

Darius's mouth kicked up at the corners. "You're not the only one. Oh, how I wish you were reluctant to go to a coffee shop."

They laughed as they headed back to the car before climbing in and Darius leading them to a cemetery further afield from the closest. It didn't matter that the place was in a beautiful setting. It still seemed creepy. But as they wandered through the graves, Darius sighed.

"I think we have a winner."

"What do you mean?"

"No one is here yet, so I think they had bugged your phone. That's how they were keeping track of you. And then the radios were keeping tabs on us."

Malachi sighed. "I'm so sick of this. I don't know how you can all stand the whiplash you get. Don't get me wrong, I know chasing a story isn't all bells and whistles, but it's better than the mountains and valleys we've been through recently."

Darius squeezed his shoulder, turning them back towards the car. "Let's get back now. Nick is probably wondering where you are, and since we've lost our tail, we might even be able to stop for coffee on the way."

Malachi fell silent during the trip, unable to stop the melancholy from weighing down his shoulders. First, he had to deal with Tucker, and then what happened at Grandma's house, and now being followed. All of a sudden, it was too much.

Nick raced into the car park when they pulled up and opened Malachi's door before he could.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

Malachi closed his eyes. "I'm tired, Nick."

Nick cupped his cheek, and Malachi nuzzled against it. "I know, sweetheart. We're almost there, though. I'm sure of it."

Malachi blinked and climbed out, wrapping himself around him. "Why do you say that?" he murmured.

"Because you broke up with me."

Malachi jerked back, almost colliding his head with Nick's chin. "What? No, I didn't!"

Nick grinned. "I know. But I've never been more glad about it. They fucked up."

"Why?"

Nick led him into the castle, his arm around his shoulders. "They were very careful with their writing. It sounded just like you would've done had you written it. The problem is, they signed it Malachi, and I know you want to go by Kai now. And also, although we haven't talked in detail, I know you know that I can help you. That letter said you didn't think I could. If I hadn't been secure in us, sweetheart, I would've fallen for it. They needed us separated or on the outs. Didn't work how they thought."

Darius brought them all up to speed when they reached Sec HQ.

"What concerns me," Brett said, "is that your phone was replaced four months ago." When no one responded, he shook his head. "You weren't even on our radar for a visit here until two months ago. What made them choose you?"

Nick paced, raking his fingers through his hair. "You're telling me, this asshole staged everything? Knowing how we would react to certain triggers."

Brett gave a grim nod. "Looks like it."

Nick stared at him. "He set up the initial attack at the charity dinner just to set the ball rolling, knowing the royal family would do whatever it took to make it up to Kai. From then, it was just tweaking the plan with other events to push us where they wanted us."

"We're puppets to his show," Malachi said.

"But what's the finale?" Felix asked.

"I don't think I want to find out," Malachi said. "How did that letter even get into our suite?"

"A household staff member hand-delivered it. He doesn't know where it came from, only that it was amongst the letters they had to distribute when he started working this morning."

Malachi dropped his head into his hands. "I would ask how he knew I was leaving, but he would've heard it on my phone."

Brett nodded, and Malachi stood. "I'm sorry, but I'm done for today. I just…can't."

"Go get some rest. Both of you. We're still waiting for some information, and we probably won't have it until tomorrow, anyway. Sleep."

Malachi would've loved to sleep for several days. His mind was completely fried. Information overload had nothing on him. It was a little easier to cope with Nick by his side, but he was done.

Tomorrow was another day, and hopefully, one they would all survive.

****