The door opened to Christian’s smiling face. “Come on in.”
Brett carried the heavy box and barely stopped himself from dropping it when Oreo came bounding over and sniffed at it.
Oscar chuckled. “Well, whatever it is, Oreo likes it.”
Brett cleared his throat, a little uncomfortable with his gift now that it was time to pass it over. It might have been the wrong thing to get them, but he had been sure it was right. Maybe hewaswrong. He wavered, but Christian took the option of retreat from him.
“Let’s have it then.”
Brett put it on the floor and gestured to it. “I hope you like it.”
“Do you want to do the honours?” Christian asked Oscar, and his husband bounded over and dropped down beside the box. “I take it that’s a yes.” Christian shook his head while smiling.
Oscar lifted the lid a little and peeked in, then gasped. He looked at Brett, a smile spreading across his face, and lifted the lid completely free. A small black head poked its head up, and Oscar whimpered.
“Oh, my! It’s so cute.”
Christian looked at the puppy and then at Brett, who, for once in his life, grinned sheepishly and shrugged. “It will keep Oreo company when you’re busy.”
“Daddy, look!” Oscar said.
Oreo had settled beside the box and sniffed at the new addition before nudging its head with its nose. The puppy put its paws on the edge of the box, trying to get to Oreo.
“Did you see what Felix gave us?” Christian asked, holding out a slate tile. The design was in gold and had a shield divide into four sections, and each section held a picture: a dog, a crown, a dinosaur and two crossed guns.
“That’s amazing. I wonder where he got it from.”
“No idea, but we love it. Never seen anything like it.”
“Me either.” He handed it back. “Right. I’ll leave you to get acquainted,” Brett said, stepping back.
“Thank you, Brett,” Oscar said, his eyes never leaving the dogs.
“You’re welcome.” A tendril of warmth curled in his chest.
He left and headed back to Sec HQ, pretending he wasn’t as soft as he truly was on the inside. No one saw that side of him. No one. Well…mostly no one.
Once he was at his desk, he contacted the hospital to get an update on Matt and Van. Everything looked good, and he relaxed marginally. What he didn’t relax about was Venus’s parting words about Malcolm and the list of new recruits he needed to choose from. It wasn’t any easier that time around. They all lacked something, but he had to deal with what he had. Hopefully, he would be able to train them well enough to be ready for the royal guards.
As for Malcolm, he’d have to deal with that when it came around. Maddox was by far the worst guard he had, but he was better than some of the recruits he planned to employ. What he wanted to know was why Malcolm needed him to stay as aguard. Were they going to try something and have Maddox on the inside for them? Knowing he wouldn’t be able to plan for the recruits with Malcolm hanging over his head, he left Sec HQ again and aimed for the king’s quarters. Colt sat outside, reading a book, but straightened when Brett approached.
“Everything okay?” Colt asked.
Brett nodded. “Yeah, everything’s good. Matt and Van are doing well. They’re just keeping them in for a few hours to see if there is anything they’ve missed. I need to speak with the king, though.”
“He’s in there. Said they were going to watch a movie after the adventure of today.”
“Don’t blame them,” Brett said. He inhaled. “I hate to interrupt, but I need to.” He knocked and waited.
“You know they won’t mind.”
Andrew opened the door. “Brett, everything okay?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sorry to ask, but do you have a few minutes?” Part of Brett hoped he declined, but of course, he didn’t.
“Sure. Come on in.”
Brett hesitated. Did Kean and Kendal know about his situation? Andrew nodded gently and beckoned him in. When the door closed, Andrew whispered, “I’ve told them a bit about your situation because they needed to know. Someone needs to know if anything happens to me.”