Felix shook his head and ground his teeth. He had no choice. He didn’t have enough bullets for a shootout, and he needed backup. The car struggled as Felix floored it, taking the roads far too fast. As he hit the outskirts of Windsor, he put his hazard lights on and kept his hand on the horn as he flew around corners far too fast, winding his way through the roads until he had a better idea and headed for one entrance to the Long Walk. It wasn’t the best idea because it was a straight shot through to Windsor Castle, which meant the car could gain on him, but it also meant someone—anyone—would see them coming and would hopefully be there to greet them.
With guns.
It took him far too long, in his opinion, to get to the acute left hand turn he needed to make without toppling his car, but he managed, and as he sped towards one of two places he called home, he hoped, with everything inside him, that he would make it—and that he hadn’t brought shit to their door.
****
Chapter 18
Brett
Brett rubbed gritty eyes because blinking no longer worked to clear his vision. He’d been staring at the same report for the past half an hour, and it still made no sense. Once he’d decided Felix might still be alive, they had the video checked out further by several experts, and one in particular had said it looked more like the camera had switched halfway through the broadcast. They couldn’t prove it because it appeared of such poor quality, but it was the piece of hope Brett needed to keep going. So, everyone went through everything all over again. This time to figure out proof that Felix was alive.
His phone rang, and he answered it without looking to see who it was. “Brett Cage.”
“Boss! A car is racing towards Windsor Castle along the Long Walk! I’ve already sent some men towards it.”
Brett jumped out of his seat and raced out of the room, calling for guards to come with him. “On my way!” he said and ended the call. He ran for his life, even as he called Dominic to warn him of a possible attack on the royal family.
When he finally got to the door to the outside, the start of the Long Walk from the castle side, he lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he watched a plume of dust come closer and closer. He called back the guard who’d initially called him.
“Do you have eyes on them?”
“Yes, sir. Two cars. I can’t see how many occupants, but they’re coming in at speed. I honestly don’t know if they plan to stop.”
“Put guards and snipers everywhere you can. We will make them stop if they don’t seem to want to do it themselves.”
“Yes, boss.”
Brett hung up and sent orders to the guards who had followed him. Then stood, gun in hand, waiting for the cars to get nearer. As they began the last stretch of the path that would lead them to the castle, his phone rang.
“What?” he barked, eyes still on the approaching cars.
“You—you’re not going to believe this,” the guard from earlier said. “It’s…Felix.”
Brett’s heart jumped. “What?”
“The first car. Felix is driving it.”
Brett didn’t want to get his hopes up too high. “And the second car?”
“Looks like four occupants, all have guns and look mighty pissed off.”
“Is Felix alone in the first car?”
“Looks like it.”
“Then tell everyone to focus on the second car. Shoot the occupants and shoot out the tyres.”
“Yes, sir.”
Brett hung up, eyes feasting on the first car that was gaining on them. If Felixwasin that car, he’d better make it. The occupants of the second car were in for a world of hurt if they had anything to do with Felix’s kidnapping. He shouted the news to the guards surrounding him, seeing as he hadn’t had time to grab radios for everyone, and told half of them to move forward, which would allow Felix to drive behind them before they started shooting at the second car.
The cars drew nearer, and Brett pulled up his gun, ready to fire if he needed to. They were still going far too fast, and Brett truly wondered if theyweregoing to stop. But as he thought that, guns started firing, and the second car began to weave out of control. More gunshots, and the car flipped and rolled, taking the occupants on their last ride before coming to a halt upside down. Brett focused on the first car as it slowed to a stop right in front of him. There was so much dust that, to begin with, he couldn’t see anything, and then the door clicked open, and Felix climbed out.
Brett’s heart missed several beats before starting a rapid tattoo when Felix met his gaze. Felix started towards him, and Brett dropped his arms, taking a lungful of air to see his man heading his way. He couldn’t wait. He stepped closer, and when they stood toe to toe, Brett grabbed him and kissed him. Felix’s lips were warm and soft, but a little dry, and he responded as much as Brett had ever wanted him to. Their arms held tightly to each other as their lips feasted. Tongues licked, lips sipped, and Brett couldn’t get enough. But then Felix cupped his face and gentled the kiss until they paused for breath. Foreheads touching, they just inhaled each other for a moment, and then Brett opened his eyes to see Felix’s smile.
“I missed you, too,” Felix said.