Page 80 of Rogue Royal
He couldn’t believe Umar had accused him of lashing him and leaving him with wounds. It hurt tothinkof leaving a sub in that state; he would never do it. He wondered what possessed Umar to do such a thing. Did he want money? Was someone else making him do it? Douglas didn’t know, but he hoped Mav was okay.
There was no window in his room; therefore, he had no concept of time when the door to his room—cell—opened, and his father strode in. Douglas fought to stop his tears from escaping as he stood. Someone stepped into the room behind him, but his father didn’t care, taking Douglas into his arms and gripping him. Douglas screwed his eyes closed, not wanting to show weakness.
“I’m sorry for everything,” his father whispered into his ear. “I’ve been trying to keep you too close and forgot what it was like to be the recipient of an overbearing father. I want what’s best for you, but it’s because I’m your father. I have to step back because it’s your life, and you get to make the mistakes you need to. Mistakes you learn from. I understand that, but I don’t know if I’ll be better straight away.”
King Andrew pulled back, his eyes as wet as Douglas’s. Douglas had never expected any of those words to come from his father, but he’d needed to hear them more than he realised.
“Thank you, Father.” He wiped his face. “Not that I’m not grateful, but what’s brought you here?”
“You’re free to go.”
It was the Commissioner who had spoken, stepping from behind his father and into view.
Douglas raised his eyebrows. “What?”
“The victim has rescinded the charges against you.”
Douglas stared at his father, who nodded and smiled. “The victim came forward to explain the truth of the matter. We have dropped all charges against you.”
“Just like that? I don’t understand.”
The king clapped him on his back. “I’ll explain later. Come on. Let’s get you home. Your mother wants to see you.”
They went through all the paperwork needed to get Douglas back into the outside world, but instead of exiting out the front door, they went through some back way out to a blacked-out car waiting for them. One of his father’s security officers opened the back door for them, and they slid in. The journey was short but silent, and Douglas hadn’t expected any different. His father was a man of silence and retrospection after something like this happened, but Douglas was sure he would have plenty to say once they’d arrived.
“Father, could I freshen up before we talk?” he asked once they were traversing the corridors of the castle.
“Of course, son. Come by my chambers once you’re ready.”
They parted, and Douglas escaped to his rooms. After a long, hot shower, he dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. He’d thought about checking in with Mav, but he wanted to know what had happened before he spoke with him, then he could pass the information on. He chose to ring him after he’d spoken with his father.
Sliding his phone into his pocket, he strode to his parents’ room. When he opened the door, it surprised him to find the room filled with several people.
“Close the door, Douglas. Some people are keeping themselves on the down-low,” Freddie said as he approached, giving him a bear hug once he shut the door.
Douglas held onto Freddie and closed his eyes, his body trembling with the emotion he was trying to suppress. When he finally pulled back, he received a similar hug from George, then his mother, who wiped his face before cradling him until more tears escaped.
“My boy,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. We all knew you had nothing to do with it. Never think otherwise.”
“I know, Mother,” he whispered.
“There’s someone who’s been dying to see you,” she said as she pulled back, a twinkle in her eye. “Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks for the moment, my dear. Promise me?”
Douglas nodded, having an idea who it was. She moved to the side, and there stood Mav, wringing his hands. Douglas covered the distance between them in seconds and wrapped his arms around him. Mav buried his head in Douglas’s neck and sobbed while Douglas did the same. He was holding Mav too tightly, but he couldn’t let go yet. He needed time to make sure this was all real and not a dream from which he’d wake back in the cell.
He had no clue how long they’d been holding each other, but he became aware of conversation around them, and he let Mav go. Cupping his boyfriend’s face, he lowered his mouth, leaving a chaste kiss on Mav’s lips.
“I love you,” he mumbled into Mav’s ear as he slid his arms around him again.
Mav pulled back, mouth wide. “What?”
“You heard me.” He smirked.
Mav smiled and cradled Douglas’s face between his hands. “I love you.” They shared another small kiss before a throat cleared.
“I understand you needing to remind yourself he’s alive and well, but can we get down to business?”
Mav’s expression turned horrified at his father’s words, and he jumped back, though Douglas grabbed his hand before he could go too far.
