“If he knows Kendal has set the alarm off, they’re in even more danger,” Brett said. “We’ll try to get closer and hope there are no surprises. I’ll be in touch.”

  Kean covered his head with his arms and leaned against the wall. Henry went over to him, rubbing his back. Andrew expected to feel jealous after Kean’s bombshell from earlier, but he was just glad Kean had someone to help him.

  “Is Jonathon Dyer someone we know?” Andrew asked.

  “Neil’s looking into it now,” Christian said.

  “Why is that name familiar?” Freddie said. “I feel like I’ve heard it before.”

  “Kletti Pazo!” Damon suddenly said. He’d been flicking through some paperwork. “The name rang a bell with me, too. Kletti Pazo was owned by John Ernest Dyer.”

  “So there’s a third person in with this?” Andrew said. “John, Ernest, and whoever this Dyer guy is.”

  “Could it be Daniel?” Christian asked.

  “From what Quinn described, there didn’t seem to be any love lost between Daniel and his father. If he’s involved, I’d be surprised if he’d use his father’s name,” Andrew said. “Wouldn’t it be too much like giving his father the credit?”

  He hated this going around in circles to find answers. Kendal was in danger, and there was nothing he could do. Relying on his security team, while the best idea, didn’t help his stress levels. He rubbed his forehead with both hands. He couldn’t go through this again. Losing another person would destroy him. They had to get Kendal out.

  “They have him!” Christian said.

  “Is Kendal—”

  “They’re fine. Shaken, but fine.”

  “Bring Daniel here.”

  Christian shook his head. “Commissioner Thomas says you need to visit Kendal’s house. He’s not moving Daniel yet.”

  “Why?”

  “Why move him when they have him in a fortress?”

  Andrew could see the logic. “Okay, let’s go. I want to know exactly what this asshole is about.”

  Thirty minutes later, they pulled up to Kendal’s house. Neighbours stood on their doorsteps and driveways, talking with each other while staring at the house. The team must’ve made some noise when they went in. There was no point in hiding now. Colt opened Andrew’s door, and he slid out, holding his hand for Kean to join him. He ignored the nosy neighbours, despite the conversations getting louder.

  When they entered the house, Brady met them in the hallway. “Kendal’s in the kitchen. I’ll wait for you to get back.”

  “Thanks, Brady.”

  Andrew tugged Kean towards the kitchen, and Kendal threw themselves into their arms when they saw them.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” they said.

  “Are you okay?” Kean asked.

  “Yeah. He talked my ear off, and I think that’s the worst thing,” Kendal said, leaning back. “He sounds so normal. So sane. It was like having a conversation with the next-door neighbour.”

  “He didn’t hurt you,” Andrew asked, needing to make sure.

  “No. I kept trying to get him to tell me stuff, but he’s too clever.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” Andrew said. “You could’ve put yourself in worse danger.”

  “That’s the thing, though. He could’ve hurt me multiple times, and he didn’t. I don’t know what his end game was with this, but if he had wanted me dead, I would be.”

  “I need to talk to him,” Andrew said.

  Kendal pulled at him. “Don’t go in guns blazing. Just talk to him like a human being. I think you’ll get more out of him.”

  “He held you hostage, Kendal!”

  “He didn’t lay a finger on me, Andrew,” Kendal countered. “I’m not saying he’s the best person in the room, but don’t treat him like a murderer, either.” Kendal reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m fine. Forget about what he did to me and focus on what’s behind all this. I have a feeling he could be the break we need.”

  “Stay here.” Andrew stared at them until they nodded once.

  Burying his anger at what Daniel had put Kendal through wasn’t easy, but he could see the logic in the argument Kendal posed. He couldn’t guarantee it would stay locked away, but for now, it was.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Brady asked him.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m coming in with you.”

  Andrew snorted. “Wouldn’t expect any less.”

  They entered the living room, where Daniel sat handcuffed. The man lifted his gaze to Andrew’s but didn’t say a word.

  “Thank you for not hurting them,” Andrew said.

  Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “You’re seriously thanking me?”

  Andrew chuckled and settled into a seat opposite. “I’d prefer to hurt my knuckles on your face, but I promised I’d be good.”

  Daniel huffed a laugh. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “What? To punch you or to be good?”

  “Both.”

  Andrew studied him, the ease with which he sat as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “Why did you do this?”

  “It wasn’t my plan. I went to Pierce’s house to relax, but when Quinn mentioned Kendal was visiting, I saw it as a way to get information about you. Then that changed when Kendal saw me. I knew you’d figure out who I wasn’t.”

  “I don’t think that’s true,” Andrew said. “You’ve always been Daniel March. But something changed. Something made you veer onto a different path. Was it your father appearing suddenly?”

  Daniel stared at him, but Andrew could see he’d surprised him. “Yes, as a matter of fact. At first, I wanted nothing to do with him. He’s persistent, though. And when he explained it all, it made me think of how different my life would’ve been.”

  “So you went to his side.”

  Daniel shrugged. “What else could I do? My mother died, and I had no one else.”

  “What about your friends? Pierce and Quinn, Neil, Christian?”

  “I refused to be a burden. I’ve seen how relationships drift apart when one person puts too much weight on another. I didn’t want to lose them.”

  Andrew leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “But following your father’s plan led you here. It’s led you right where you didn’t want to be—on the edge of losing your friends.”

  Daniel’s jaw firmed, and he didn’t reply.

  “Why did you keep calling him Uncle Andrew?” Kendal asked from the doorway.

  Andrew’s heart took off at a gallop. He narrowed his eyes on them and Kean, but they were focused on Daniel. He’d make them regret ignoring his order later.

  “Why, Daniel?” Kendal asked again.

  “Because he is. Distantly.”

  “How are you part of my family?” Andrew asked. “Who’s Jonathon Dyer?”

  Daniel chuckled, dropping his head back as he continued into full-blown laughter. Andrew’s stomach rolled. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like Daniel’s answer. He glanced at Kendal and Kean. They had worried expressions, too.

  “Dear old dad’s full name is… Wait for it… Drumroll, please…” Daniel chuckled. “Ernest Jonathon Daniel Dyer. Now known as Ernest Sutcliffe.”

  Andrew froze. Charlotte and Ernest had been married for forty years. “How old are you?”

  Daniel smiled. “Forty-two.”

  “He never married your mother?”

  Daniel snorted. “Why would he when he was courting a princess?” He sneered. “My mother was someone to bide time with until Charlotte said yes. It took him long enough that Mother fell pregnant with me. As soon as she told him, Father stopped seeing her. He sent money but had nothing to do with her or me other than the occasional reminder that she was to keep quiet about whose son I was.”

  “When did he turn up again?”

  “Mother’s funeral, of all times.”

  Andrew paused. “What did he want with you?”

  “Isn’t that the question of the day? I’m a pawn. Same as everyone else. I have no idea what the endgame is. All I know is that I needed to help you, and I needed to give him information. After all, it was the reason I was transferred there, so I’m told.”

  “And did you?”

  Daniel met his gaze. “Yes.”

  “Will you tell us about everything you gave him and everything he told you?”

  “Yes.” No hesitation in his answer.

  “Why?”

  “Because my mother deserves a better son than I have become.”

  Andrew nodded and stood. “Tell Brady everything you know. No matter how small. We need this to stop, and you might just be the one to help us.” He stepped closer to his partners.

  “He’s bloody good,” Daniel said.

  Andrew faced him again. “At what?”

  “Being someone else. He’s fooled the lot of you for forty years. He’s patient, but I don’t know why he’s doing this. Be careful who you trust.”

  “We’ve learnt that lesson already,” Andrew murmured. He slid his arms around Kean and Kendal and exited the room. “He’s all yours,” he told Brady. “I’m going home.”

  Brady nodded. “I’ll keep you up to date.”

  “Make sure one of my team is present at all interviews, please.”

  “Will do.”

  He sighed. “Let’s go home.”

  ****

  Chapter 22

  Kean

  When they arrived back at Windsor, worried faces surrounded them, and they threw question after question before Andrew called them off.

  “It’s been a long day. Kendal is fine. How about we have lunch together tomorrow, and you can reassure yourselves again that they are okay?”

  “We’ll be there,” Freddie said, giving each of them a hug.

  Kendal didn’t shy away from the hugs everyone gave, which was a surprise, but Kean had noticed that they were doing better in social situations—well, with Andrew’s large family, anyway.

  Once they locked the suite doors behind them, Andrew led them into the bedroom. Kean expected them to snuggle up in bed and sleep, but Andrew faced them and said, “Strip.”

  Kean opened his mouth to argue but saw Kendal’s shoulders lower as if in relief. Did they need this? The need to reaffirm the bond and that they were all still there in one piece. Because Kean wouldn’t say no to it. He didn’t, in fact. He pulled his jumper off, throwing it onto a chair near the bed, and unfastened his shirt buttons, watching Kendal hurriedly stripping next to him. By the time Kean had moved onto his trousers, Kendal stood, naked as the day they were born, waiting for instructions. Kean quickly removed the last barriers and stood beside them, facing Andrew.

  “Kean, lay on your back on the end of the bed, feet on the floor.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Kendal, straddle Kean’s knees, but don’t sit down. Rest your hands beside Kean’s head.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Once they were both in position, with Kean staring into Kendal’s beautiful green eyes, Andrew said, “Kean, kiss them while I get things ready.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Kean whispered, already lifting his head to join their lips. Their lips were soft but dry as if they hadn’t had enough to drink that day, and Kean sipped at the top, then the bottom and licked across them, requesting entry. Kendal opened for him, and he slid his tongue inside, brushing along theirs, coaxing a response, which came in a low moan. Kendal’s tongue chased his as he retreated, and Kean sucked on it as he would if it was something else. Kendal whimpered, pressing closer, taking the kiss deeper. Kean breathed through his nose as he concentrated on allowing Kendal whatever they needed.

  “Breathe,” Andrew commanded.

  They pulled apart, gasping, chests heaving as they inhaled much-needed air. Andrew stood behind Kendal, mouth in a hard line, but his eyes told a different story. His eyes showed his pain. He hurt because Kendal hurt.

  “Kendal, I have a suede flogger. Are you okay with me using this?”

  Kendal’s eyelids fluttered, and the corners of their lips curved. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Okay. Keep steady while I warm your skin with my hand.”

  Kendal’s body jerked at the first smack, gentle though it was, but they pushed back straight after, searching for more, like Kean knew they would. Kean skimmed his fingers up and down Kendal’s arms, the tremble in them increasing with every joining of hand to ass.

  “Are you ready for more?”

  “Yes, Sir,” Kendal murmured. Their breath caught when Andrew dragged the flogger down their back.

  “We’re going for ten. Count for me.”

  Kendal swallowed. Kean couldn’t see Andrew’s movements from where his king now stood, but Kendal gasped and jerked when the flogger touched its mark.

  “One,” Kendal said.

  “You count, too, Kean,” Andrew ordered.

  “One,” Kean repeated.

  Kendal hummed, eyes closing with the next one. “Two,” they both said. “Three.”

  With every undoubtedly smarting flick of the flogger, they counted, and Kendal relaxed further, their arms struggling to keep themselves upright. Their cocks slipped against each other, too, which didn’t help to keep Kean’s arousal from rising.

  “Ten,” they breathed together.

  “Good. Well done, my sweet.” Andrew rubbed his hands over Kendal’s ass cheeks, rocking them gently forward against Kean’s body. “Lower down and straddle Kean’s lap now.”

  Kean helped them because they were loose as a noodle, and they snuggled their face into Kean’s neck once they rested across him.

  “Do you want more, Kendal?” Andrew asked.

  “Yes, please, Sir,” they mumbled, the words hot against Kean’s neck.

  “Colour?”

  “Green, Sir.”

  Andrew met Kean’s gaze with an arched brow. “Green, Sir,” Kean added.

  Andrew’s mouth curled up. “Let’s get you prepped them, my sweet.” He disappeared out of Kean’s line of sight, but he heard a drawer opening.

  Kean smoothed his hands up and down Kendal’s back, gently soothing them until Andrew returned. Andrew slicked his fingers and dropped the tube beside them on the bed. Kendal didn’t move when fingers slid between his cheeks; he only hummed, the vibration flowing into Kean’s chest. The humming turned into a moan, and Kean assumed Andrew had pressed inside. It was strange seeing it from this angle but not being able to feel or see what was happening. Hot as hell but strange.

  “That’s it. You’re doing so well, my sweet,” Andrew said when Kendal gasped.

  Kendal rocked against Kean, their cocks nestled together and rubbing with every movement. He would be able to come like this given enough time, but he wanted to see what Andrew had planned for them.

  “There we go,” Andrew murmured. Kendal inhaled, held it, and then sighed it out again. Kean smiled at Andrew over Kendal’s back. “You’re almost ready for me now.”

  A few minutes later, Andrew pulled free and stepped back. He undressed, revealing a hard, straining cock. He opened a condom and slid it down, then slicked it before stepping behind Kendal.

  “Kean, sweetheart, hold them open for me.”

  Kean groaned. “Fuck,” he whispered. The idea of holding Kendal open so Andrew could spear inside him was far hotter than it maybe should have been. He slid his hands down Kendal’s back and grabbed a handful of his ass cheeks, which were warm to the touch from the flogging. Kendal hissed but didn’t object.

  “Kendal, colour, please.”

  “Green, Sir. Please!”

  “Hold on to Kean.” Kendal slid their arms beneath him, holding his shoulders. “That’s it. Ready?”

  “Yes, Sir,” they both answered.

  Andrew smiled, and Kean and Kendal’s cock pressed harder against each other as Andrew pushed inside Kendal. Kean couldn’t see it, but he felt it when Andrew slid deep because Andrew’s groin met the backs of Kean’s hands. Andrew hissed and leaned down, keeping them all locked.

  “Steady,” he said when Kendal squirmed. “Let yourself adjust. Besides, I want a kiss.”

  Kendal turned their head to the side as much as possible, and Andrew kissed them, tongues tangling. It was hot as fuck to watch. Kendal writhed between them, seeking more, but only succeeded in rubbing more insistently against Kean. Andrew pulled back with a whimper from Kendal, then focused on Kean. He leaned down and captured Kean’s lips, still wet from Kendal’s kiss, and Kean closed his eyes, falling into it.

  At least until Andrew started moving. He didn’t withdraw much, if any, just gently pushed against them. Kendal keened between them, dropping their head to Kean’s shoulder, and Andrew pulled away from their kiss. He stood upright, gripping Kendal’s hips, and withdrew. Kendal panted against his skin, the wet heat fanning Kean’s arousal along with the sounds they were all making.

  “Fuck, Kendal,” Andrew growled. He pushed inside again, slower than slow. Withdrawing, he hissed and exhaled, looking as though he wanted to both savour and devour at the same time.

  “Please, Sir!” Kendal whined.

  “Grip them a little harder, Kean. Let them feel how much we want them. How much we need them.”

  Kean did, and Kendal groaned into his ear. “That’s it, angel. Let everything go,” he said.

  Andrew picked up his pace, slamming into Kendal and ensuring each movement sent Kendal and Kean’s dicks rubbing together. Precome slid between them, easing their way. Kean’s orgasm was streaking down his spine, pooling in his groin. He could easily come, but he bit his lip and held back, wanting to wait.

  Andrew narrowed his eyes at him and then picked up his speed. Kendal moaned, squeezing Kean’s shoulders as they held on.

  “Come on, Kendal, my sweet. Let us love you. Come for us,” Andrew said.

  Kendal tightened their hold again, whimpered and tensed, and then their entire body trembled and jerked as their climax tore through them, releasing between them.