“She was a horrible person, had killed many people who didn’t deserve it and threatened everyone close to me. Butshe was still my sister.” He swallowed hard, his eyes closing. “When that bullet hit her, I felt it. A pain right through my head, like a splitting headache. Then nothing. I never believed in a twin bond because we were both so different, but there’s an emptiness inside me. I hadn’t realised she resided there. She shouldn’t have! She shouldn’t have been there!” He sobbed again. “Why was she there?”
“She was still your family. Don’t remember what she had become, remember what she was like when she was younger. When she was still like you. Grieve for the loss ofthatperson.”
He allowed Brett to stay in that position until they got cold, and then he helped him to stand and led him to the sofa, he sat on the edge and took his hands.
“How are you doing?” he whispered.
Brett leaned forward, wrapping his good arm around Felix’s waist and resting his cheek against his shoulder. Felix slid his fingers through his hair, his other hand smoothing across his back. Brett didn’t cry anymore, he just breathed, and Felix was content to hold him as long as he needed it, but eventually Brett pulled back.
“I suppose we should see everyone,” Brett murmured. Felix nodded and stepped back. Brett stood, catching Felix’s hand. “Oh, who…” His breath caught, and he swallowed before continuing. “Who took the shot?”
Felix met his gaze. “My dad.” His shoulders lowered. “I didn’t know anyone else to ask without asking the military, and I didn’t know who to trust there.”
“He’s almost as good as you,” Brett said, a small smile on his face.
“Almost.” Felix grinned.
They headed back towards Sec HQ but met Damon on the way.
“We’re all in the receiving room.”
“All of us?” Felix asked. “Can we fit?”
Damon smirked. “Just.”
They entered, Brett just ahead of him, and he almost walked into his back when he halted. He peered around him, eyes widening when he saw just how many people they’d managed to squeeze into the large room. Bodyguards, royals, family and friends. This wasn’t the usual debrief Felix had been expecting. He caught Brett’s hand, fully expecting him to pull away in front of all the people, but he didn’t; he tightened his hold.
“What’s all this about?” Felix asked.
“We just wanted to show our appreciation for everything you’ve both been doing lately,” Andrew said, stepping forward. “Your entire team has been through hell and back these past few months, just like our family did not so long ago, and as you were there for us at that time, now we are here for you.”
He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but his words were cut off by another guard entering the room.
“I apologise for the interruption,” Darius said, “but Detective Keegan and Detective Dodd are here to speak with Felix.”
Felix sighed, knowing they had put it off as long as possible. He glanced at Brett. “I’ll take them to the interview room. It’s about time I went through everything with them.”
“I’ll come with you,” Brett said.
“No, stay. I’ll be fine.”
Brett glared at him. “I’m going with you.”
Felix ignored how that tone sent frissons of awareness through him and nodded. They followed Darius to the entrance, quickly discussing what they could and couldn’t tell them, to where the detectives waited.
“Felix Jamison,” one said. “You are a hard man to get hold of.” He held out his hand. “I’m Detective Keegan, and this is Detective Dodd. We’d like to talk to you about your whereabouts and your activities please.”
“Of course,” Felix said. “If you want to follow me, we can talk in one of our rooms.”
They went to the interview room and all settled down around the table. They weren’t happy about Brett staying with him, but they didn’t toss him out. Small wins.
“Okay, Mr Jamison. Tell me what’s going on. We have accusations of sniper activity, of drugs, of trafficking, and now we have a rifle linked to you. And yet, we were told you were kidnapped, but now you’ve returned. I’m a little lost in all honesty.”
Felix leaned back, uncaring about the questions. It was only right, after all. His story would be a little far-fetched in most situations. He talked them through most of what he could divulge, and once he had, they seemed on board.
“I apologise for the hard-head approach I took when I arrived,” Keegan said. “Sometimes it’s difficult to get information about of the royals or their guards.”
Felix grinned. “I can imagine. I have the same problem.” They chuckled between them, Brett and Dodd not joining in. “If there’s anything else you need, please let me know.”