Page 67 of Trained Royal
“Do you think they will strike again?” Patrick asked. “Soon, I mean?”
Kieren met Freddie’s gaze and saw his minute nod. He sighed. “I think they will, yes. They’ll want to catch us while we’re supposedly flailing. My best guess would be at whatever event is next.”
“Which is me,” Douglas said. “I’m at an opening ceremony for a new youth centre next Friday.”
“I’ll make sure we look into it,” Kieren promised.
“Well, let’s not think of my potential demise. Let’s gather everyone together and visit the club!” Douglas said, standing and flinging his arms wide.
Patrick tensed at Douglas’s words, and Kieren kissed his head. “We’ll be there for him. I promise. Nothing will happen to him.”
Patrick nodded into his neck, and Kieren hated he couldn’t do anything more to comfort him. They would not lose anyone else in this fight. If it was the last thing he did, he would make sure they eradicated the evil in this family. No more living in fear. If he had to take the fight to them, he would, but he didn’t think he’d need to. He believed Gia had found something that would help them. They just needed to be patient.
In the meantime, they would carry on as if nothing was amiss. Because he refused to let anyone suffer like the king was. Like Kieren had been before he allowed himself to believe in him and Patrick.
In the meantime, they would live and love.
****
Chapter 20
Douglas
Despite Douglas’s bravado, the moment Mav closed the door behind them in his suite, he sank to the sofa and dropped his head into his hands. Mav’s arms came around him and held him. His body shuddered and trembled as he tried to regain control over it.
“We’ll fight them every step of the way,” Mav mumbled.
Douglas lifted his head and heaved a sigh. “We will. It’s just…” He snorted, but not in humour. “I feel like a complete shit because although it was happening to the people around me, like Christian being held, Mother being…killed, Henry having all the trouble, it was neverme. I knew what was going on, but it had never happened to me, and until now, when I know there’s a chance I won’t survive, I didn’t fully understand. Not truly. Yes, I was arrested, but that was benign compared to what everyone else has been through.”
“I don’t think the others would think it was benign. Being arrested for something you didn’t do.”
“You know what I mean.”
Mav nodded. “I do. And yes, I understand where you’re coming from. But the fact remains that you’re all suffering from their actions. No one is free from the repercussions of this. I think, deep inside, you did understand what it was like, but you didn’t want to acknowledge it. By acknowledging it, it’s real,” he said, and Douglas could tell by the tone of his voice that he was tempering his tone to soften it.
Douglas slumped back and gazed at Mav. “When did you get so wise?”
Mav gave a small smile. “Always have been.”
Douglas slid his arm around Mav’s shoulders and dragged him down with him as he laid on his back and stretched his legs along the length of the sofa. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but it was better than his older brother’s. Once they were comfortable, with Mav lying on top of him, their legs entwined, Douglas let his body relax.
He pressed his lips to Mav’s head and inhaled as much as he could before letting it flow out again. “I feel like we’re stronger than ever, but we’re starting to come apart at the seams, too,” he whispered.
Mav lifted his head, eyes wide. “What? Us?” He waved his hand between them.
Douglas shook his head. “No! The…what are we on now? Tantalising Twelve?”
Mav blew out his breath and lowered his head to Douglas’s chest again. “I was worried there for a moment.” He fell silent, then said, “I know what you mean.”
“Aunt Charlotte is going to pick up the pace because we’re all choosing men as our partners. It’s going to piss her off even more. God help us all when Freddie gets his head out of his ass and admits he’s in love with Damon.”
Mav chuckled, the sound vibrating through their chests. “I don’t know if he ever will. He’s got a lot more pressure on him being the heir. He might forgo love for what he thinks is the best choice for the crown.”
Douglas considered that. “I don’t know. He might nothavea choice.”
“What do you mean?” Mav rested his chin on Douglas’s chest, staring at him with a slight frown.
“I know Damon almost as well as my brother. If he believes he’s in the way of Freddie’s happiness, he’ll leave. And I don’t mean for the weekend. If that happens, Freddie will go after him. I guarantee it.”
