Felix grinned at the image of Kendal holding a smoking gun with a ton of villains lying around them. “I’m sure you would’ve done a better job than I did, Your Highness.”
Kendal grinned and faced the others. “I’m sorry we’re being such a pain. I know we said we wouldn’t go to this event, but it means so much to them. And to us,” they added softly.
Brett entered behind them and, obviously having heard Kendal’s words, said, “We had already planned to be there and had done the security checks before you cancelled, so it’s not a problem at all, Your Highness.” He stopped beside Felix, their shoulders brushing, and a shiver went through Felix’s body, though he tried to hide it.
Felix blinked, inhaled and glanced up, right into Kendal’s eyes. Kendal’s mouth curved slightly before they looked away, and Felix shook his head minutely, silently cursing his body. He wanted nothing more than to grab Brett and hide them both away in a locked room so they could continue what they started in the chapel and at Brett’s house. He didn’t want them to end, but something was telling him that it would. His instincts had never proven him wrong—even when he had walked into that alleyway, he’d known something bad was going to happen.
“Felix,” Brett murmured, “you won’t be going with us to this event.”
Felix snapped his head to the side, meeting Brett’s gaze. “What? Why?”
Brett raised his eyebrows. “First, you’re injured. Second…I’ve had a phone call from your mother. She wants to see you. She was a little…peeved.” Brett swallowed hard. “She said a few curse words at me because she had found out you were free from the news instead of from you or me—despite your phone call to them.”
Felix sighed and stared at the floor. It was the right thing to do, but he wanted to get back to normal. He wanted to go withBrett and the others and guard the royal family. He wanted to forget everything that had happened. But instead, he had to see his family and probably either lie to them about what happened or tell them the truth and explain to them why he had so many secrets. It didn’t seem fair.
“Okay,” he said, though it was the last thing he wanted to say. “Will I see you later?” he muttered, his voice as low as he could get it.
“Maybe.”
That was all he got.Maybe.“Are the royals going to the club after the event? If so, I’d like to go with them.”
Brett studied him for a second. “I don’t know, but I will let you know if they decide to. Will that work?”
Felix nodded. “As long as you do.” He couched the order with a small smile and turned away. “Have a good evening, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses,” he said.
“Thank you, Felix,” Andrew said. “I hope you’ll be back to full strength soon.”
“I plan to be.”
He nodded and left the suite, heading for Sec HQ so he could grab his stuff and go to his parents’ house.
“Felix, wait!”
He spun around, seeing Brett heading towards him. “What—”
Brett kissed him, his hands cupping his head while tilting to give him better access. Felix’s mind went blank as he opened for Brett’s exploration, but it didn’t last. As fast as he’d taken him, he let go, holding Felix steady until he could stand on his own. Felix stared at him.
“I couldn’t leave without…” Brett swallowed and licked his lips, his hands brushing down the front of his suit.
Felix smiled. “I’m glad. I’d hate for my order to be the last thing we said to each other if something bad happened.”
Brett’s mouth curled. “See you later,” he whispered, dropping another chaste kiss on his lips and turning away.
“Stay safe.”
Brett faced him again but continued walking backwards. “Always do.”
Felix grinned and watched him until he disappeared and then continued on his way. After he grabbed everything he needed, just in case he didn’t return that day, he shoved it all in the boot of his car. The journey to his parents’ house gave him time to think, which he’d always thought was a blessing until then. It meant he had time to decide what route he was going to take with his words, but also to panic that he wasn’t with Brett, protecting him. His shoulders tightened further as he parked, and his spine straightened. The front door opened, and his mother stepped outside. He inhaled and exited the car, moving closer with heavy feet. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see them; he just wanted to forget and carry on as normal.
“Hi, Mum.”
Ruby had tears in her eyes, but she smiled and opened her arms. He fell into them and hugged her tightly, inhaling her scent.
“I’m glad you’re home,” she said.
“Me, too.”
He pulled back, and she cupped his cheek, cataloguing his visible injuries and tutting, but she didn’t say anything else, just led him into the house. He entered the living room alone, his father in his usual chair. However, he stood when Felix stopped by the sofa. His gaze ran over him quickly before he nodded.