Page 50 of Trained Royal
Dr Green raised his eyebrows. “If it was just the arm, I would’ve said maybe two months to be on the safe side. With your side, I want to extend that to at least three months before you do anything too strenuous. I understand you want to get back to protecting Prince Patrick, but if you push yourself too hard, too fast, you’ll actually take longer to heal.” The doctor stared at him. “I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.”
Kieren understood, but he didn’t have to like it. He was no use to Patrick now. He’d be replaced, unable to do the job he’d been brought on to do. What would he do now? Maybe Brett could help him find something after he’d healed because he was sure the royal family wouldn’t want someone who hadn’t been able to work for several months.
Patrick squeezed his hand, and Kieren faced him, realising with a jolt that the doctor had left. Were his senses dulled by medication? He hoped so because, otherwise, he was losing his touch.
“Brett’s outside. He wants to visit?”
Kieren nodded. “Sure.”
Patrick moved to the door, opening it and beckoning outside. Brett came through, and Patrick glanced back at Kieren, pointed at himself and pointed out of the door. He exited and closed the door behind him, leaving him with Brett. Having Patrick out of his sight was something he hadn’t realised would affect him that strongly, but the moment he was gone, Kieren’s heart raced, and the monitors went berserk. He tried to calm down but couldn’t.
Brett went to the door. “Patrick! Get in here!”
Kieren was about to scold the man for talking to a prince like that, but Patrick returned, racing to Kieren’s side. “What’s wrong?”
Kieren panted as if he’d run a marathon at sprinting speed and squeezed Patrick’s hand while refusing to look away. What the actual fuck?
“I’m here, sweetheart. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” Patrick’s mumblings helped calm him down, and when the nurse came bustling in, she scolded them for making him agitated. After a few moments of checking his vitals, she gave them another speaking to and left.
Patrick threaded his hand through Kieren’s and dropped into the seat he’d been in earlier. Calmer now, Kieren faced Brett.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t expect…that.”
Brett’s mouth curled. “It’s fine. To be expected, actually. How are you feeling?”
Kieren blew out a long breath. “The ache in my side is hurting more. I’m assuming the medication is wearing off. My head is a bit of a jumble, but I pretty much remember everything, I think.” He stared down at his boss. “What happened, and what’s going to happen?”
Brett grinned. “Well, Prince Charles is currently being interviewed by the Commissioner himself to get to the bottom of why it happened. The shooter, one Harvey Johnson, has been wanted by the police for a long time. Mainly in connection with a previous royal incident involving Prince Douglas. The police had been unable to locate him for over a year, but he slipped up by agreeing to this stunt. From what Harvey is telling the police, Charles is the one who orchestrated it.” Brett held his hands out. “Whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess.”
“I hope they lock Charles away with no chance of bail, but it’s highly unlikely,” Patrick said, and Kieren squeezed his hand.
Brett glanced down at their hands, smiled and refocused on Kieren’s face. “As for what’s going to happen, I’m assuming you mean with you?” Kieren nodded. “You’re well aware that you can’t work while injured, so you’re on leave until you’re better. That’s not up for debate. I have assigned Jade and Nina to you both. They will be your bodyguards for the time being, and we will reassess when you’re better. Agreed?”
There was no way Kieren couldn’t agree because Brett’s expression brooked no argument. It was that or Kieren would probably be let go, and he refused to leave Patrick.
“On one condition?” Brett raised his eyebrows, but a smirk stayed on his face. “I stay on with Patrick as second…fiddle or whatever.”
“I thought that went without saying.”
The tension left Kieren’s body, and exhaustion waved over him. “Thank you.”
“One last thing before you drift back to sleep,” Brett said. “I’ve arranged for you to speak to Timothy tomorrow.” Kieren opened his mouth to argue. “It’s not optional. It’s mandatory.” He sighed. “I thought Timothy was the better option than a stranger, but if you’d prefer someone else, let me know.”
Kieren swallowed hard. He hated the idea of talking through what happened with someone, but he knew he needed to. Even he could understand something was going on with him if he couldn’t stand the idea of Patrick being out of his sight. PTSD was nothing to joke about.
“Timothy’s fine.”
Brett nodded. “In which case, I will leave you in peace. I’ll let you know any updates we have as soon as I know them. Having that information will help, I’m told.” He glanced at Kieren again. “Make sure you explain but get some rest.”
Kieren inhaled. “I will.”
Brett left after saying goodbye, and Patrick brought his hand up to kiss his knuckles. “Get some sleep, sweetheart. We can talk later.”
“No, I’m okay for the moment. I don’t know how long,” he smiled, eyes heavy, “but for now.” He glanced at Patrick. “How are you? Did I do any more damage to your wrist?”
Patrick snorted. “No more than had already been done. It got jolted, but only an ache. The doctor checked me over and put a stronger brace on it, but apart from that, I’m good.”
Kieren closed his eyes and sighed, glad he’d been able to prevent Patrick from getting hurt. “I have PTSD, I think.” He rolled his head to look at Patrick again. “That’s why the monitors went a little crazy when you left the room.Iwent a little crazy. Sorry.”
