Jason sighed. “That means it’ll be at the castle then.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Kai asked.
“Nothing, but it’s not very exciting, is it?”
“I’m sure you can discuss ‘exciting’ options with Nick to make it more palatable for you,” Felix bit off. He stood. “I’m heading out.”
“Felix!” Jason said, grabbing his arm. “I’m sorry. I’m not really an asshole. I’m—”
“Pregnant?” Felix asked with faux seriousness.
Jason smacked his stomach. “No! I’m missing Darius.”
Felix stared down at him. “He’s not gone that much.”
“But I liked having our evenings together,” he pouted.
“So why not make your evenings at some other time of the day?” Kai said. “When is he here with you?”
Jason frowned. “It varies, but usually for dinner.”
“So, make dinner your evening and then you won’t miss out,” Kai declared.
“That might work,” Jason said.
“Good. So now you can stop being an asshole and we can finish lunch.” Kai looked at Felix. “Do you really have to go?”
Felix glanced at his watch, happy to have it back again. “Actually, yes. Sorry.”
They waved him away, and he headed back to Sec HQ. He wasn’t bothered about his party. He didn’t really want to celebrate, but everyone else wanted him to, so he’d let them talk him into it. They were always up for a celebration, no matter the cause. All Felix wanted to do was get drunk. He’d not been able to join Austin for their drinking session since his friend initially asked, so it would be nice to do it when he knew he would be cared for afterwards, but first he had a confession to make.
FELIX: I’m just heading home. It’s finally time to tell them what’s going on.
BRETT: Okay. See you soon, and let me know if you need me.
Felix smiled at Brett’s standard response to anything that might mean Felix could possibly get upset. He was a big, cuddly bear as far as Felix was concerned. Not that he’d show it for anyone but him.
He drove home—not that he’d spent much time there over the past few weeks, preferring to spend his time with Brett—and parked on the drive, noticing Remi and Austin’s cars were also there. No time like the present to get his head bitten off.
Entering, he didn’t find anyone in the communal areas, so he headed upstairs to their rooms, asking them to join him for a coffee. They both frowned at him but agreed, and Felix went downstairs again and filled the kettle. While it was boiling, he got the cups ready, trying to ignore the pounding of his heart.
“Sounds serious,” Remi said. “Everything okay?”
Felix nodded while he doctored everyone’s drinks and handed them to them. He settled into a seat across from them. “I just wanted to talk to you about something that I maybe should’ve told you right from the beginning.” He swallowed hard, hoping he wasn’t about to lose these people as friends. “I’m your landlord.”
Remi gaped at him, eyes wide. “No shit?” He exhaled. “I never saw that coming.”
Austin smirked. “I did.” He met Felix’s gaze. “I already knew.”
Felix frowned. “How? I buried my name deep.”
“I have a lot of money. It talks when I need to ensure my safety. I’ve known since the day I agreed to move in.”
It was Felix’s turn to gape. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because it didn’t matter. I don’t know why you didn’t want us to know, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re unlikely to throw us out, and you have first-class security systems.” Austin shrugged. “It seemed like a win-win situation.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Remi asked, leaning back in his chair.