“What changed?”

  Kendal couldn’t answer that. “I don’t know. I just looked at Andrew and saw something. I took a tremendous risk. And it backfired. I’m sorry.”

  Kean lifted Kendal’s chin again. “You don’t need to be sorry. I’ve wanted you both for so long, but I never believed I’d have you. I was too much of a chicken to ask for it.” He dropped a kiss on Kendal’s lips. “You are so brave.” His eyes roamed all over Kendal’s face, enough to heat their cheeks again. “You deserve everything, and if you let me, I’d love to be a part of your life now. A bigger part, I mean.”

  Kendal smiled. “I’d love that.” They frowned. “I can’t guarantee what will trigger me, Kean. I trust you completely, even more so after tonight, but it won’t be plain sailing.”

  “I know. I don’t expect it. All I want is to spend time with you. To…” Kean licked his lips.

  “To what?”

  Kean inhaled so deeply, his chest lifted Kendal. “To love you.”

  Kendal frowned. “You love me?”

  He shrugged a shoulder. “Have done for a while.”

  Kendal pushed themselves further up Kean’s body and kissed him, bracing their hands on either side of Kean’s head. “Same.” They kissed him again. “I love you.”

  Kean blew out a breath. “Gosh. We’ve gone from friends to playing a scene to declaring our love in the space of…what? Two hours?”

  Kendal laughed. “Does it matter?”

  “Not even a little.” Kean stroked across Kendal’s back, keeping away from their ass. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”

  Kendal bit their lip, staring down at him. “Will I be enough?” they whispered.

  Staring right into their eyes, Kean said, “Definitely. We’re both going to miss him, but we are just as complete with two as with three.”

  That wasn’t completely true, but they appreciated Kean’s effort to comfort them. They leaned down on Kean’s chest, chin resting on their hands. “What do you want to do now?”

  “Shall we get out of here? Go…home? I mean, your home.”

  Kendal smiled. “I keep telling you, it can be your haven as well. Your home as well. I’m through taking the simple, easy route. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you want.”

  Kean bit his lip and stared off to the side. “Freddie told me not to give up.”

  Kendal waited, but Kean didn’t expand on his words. “Give up on what?”

  He blinked and glanced back at Kendal. “You and Andrew. He knows how I feel about you both. He said I would have to be the one to bring you together, but he was wrong. You did it.”

  “Not really. He’s not here.” Kendal’s heart clenched. “What else did he say?”

  “To keep fighting.”

  Kendal kissed Kean. “Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll stay as two, but we’ll keep fighting to be three.”

  “You are enough, Kendal. I promise you. But I think we both need him with us, don’t you?”

  “The empty spot in my heart will be there until he’s with us, but I can live with it if I need to. What I can’t live with is leaving him on his own.”

  “Agreed.”

  Was it going to be as easy as they hoped? No. But they would keep fighting to have Andrew as part of their lives. It was what they all deserved.

  ****

  Chapter 7

  Andrew

  Walking away from Kendal and Kean was the hardest thing Andrew had ever had to do after burying his wife.

  “Is everything okay, Your Majesty?” Simon asked as they entered the Monitors’ changing room.

  Andrew sighed and shook his head. “Not really, Simon, but I can’t do much to make it better, either. It’ll work itself out.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  They headed for the foyer, and he asked Clarice to add Kean’s and Kendal’s prints to the changing room doors. The woman was such a professional she didn’t even consider arguing with him. There was a reason they paid her highly and why she had been with them for years. Simon led the way into the lift and down to the car. It was only as they were on their way that he realised he hadn’t said goodbye to the boys. He sent a joint message to them all, apologising and letting them know he was going home. After that, he stared out of the window, remembering every second of the time he’d spent in that room. The sounds Kendal made. The sight of Kean’s body rippling as he brought down the flogger. The bliss on Kendal’s and Kean’s faces when Kendal came. The kisses. It had been a culmination of months’ worth of feelings that Andrew had no right feeling.

  How could he bring them into his life when they were facing such dangers? How could he even consider destroying their lives? Because that was exactly what it would be. Destruction. Not only would the media run wild with the story of their triad, but they would pick apart Kean and Kendal until they couldn’t take it anymore. And as for the age difference? Well, thirty-odd years wasn’t a problem for normal people, but the king? No way. He’d done the right thing. Kean and Kendal could live happily by themselves without Andrew getting in the way.

  Andrew sighed and brushed everything aside. He had criminals to catch, and that had to take precedence. It was late, but he needed to speak with his brother.

  “Are you busy?” he asked when William answered.

  “Never too busy for you. What’s wrong?”

  “Can you come by? I want to discuss some things.”

  “Sure. I’ll be there soon.”

  Andrew ended the call without saying goodbye, but William could tell him off when he got there. It would take him around an hour, which gave Andrew enough time to shower and change before heading for his office.

  Just under an hour later, William entered his office with a smile.

  “So, Mr ‘I don’t need to say goodbye,’ what’s wrong?”

  “Sorry, Will. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  “Haven’t we all?” William sat on the sofa after grabbing himself a bottle of water.

  “I’m concerned that we haven’t heard from anyone in a long time.”

  “I thought that would be a good thing.”

  Andrew raised his eyebrows. “Why? If they’re quiet, they’re planning.”

  “They could have given up?”

  “Since when have you been such a fanciful optimist?”

  William chuckled. “Must be all those stories I’ve been reading. Makes me believe in a simpler world.”

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, Andrew smiled. “True.” He sighed. “Charlotte would usually be heckling us or calling us out or encouraging her followers. Why hasn’t she said or done anything? She’s too opinionated to remain silent.”

  William stared at his water bottle. “Do you think they’ve taken over from her now we’ve rumbled their plans?”

  “They were already the leaders. We just didn’t know it.”

  “I know. But they don’t have to hide behind her now. They can be upfront about it.”

  “That’s what I don’t understand. If they don’t have to keep it a secret, why aren’t they doing anything? I don’t like this silence. I don’t trust it.”

  William shook his head. “What else can we do? We’ve hit a wall.”

  “I’m getting two people to look over the camera feeds from the club. They’ll see if anything stands out as strange. It’s our only plan at the moment.”

  William stood and stopped in front of Andrew’s desk. “Why are you up so late, anyway?”

  Andrew stared at the blotter on his desk. “I visited the club tonight.”

  “And?”

  “Someone asked me to help them get over their fears.”

  “Bloody hell, Andrew. This is like pulling teeth. And did you?” Andrew nodded. “Who?”

  Andrew stared up at his brother, not saying a word.

  A grin spread across William’s face. “Let me guess. Kendal.”

  “And Kean.”

  William raised his eyebrows and whistled. “And how did it go?”

  Andrew sighed and rubbed his hand over his beard. “Good, then amazing, then not so good.”

  Rounding the desk, William perched beside him. “Explain, you annoying twit.”

  “Hey! That’s no way to speak to your king.”

  “Maybe not, but it is how I speak to my brother.” William waved his hand, encouraging Andrew to continue.

  “Kendal wanted Kean to help them get over their hurdles, but they asked me to be there as kind of a security blanket. Just in case Kean went off on one. Not that he would, but it made Kendal feel safer. It went well until Kendal struggled, so I went to help. I didn’t realise how much strain it would put on me.” He stood and went to the window, leaning his shoulder against the frame and staring into the darkness. “During aftercare, Kendal kissed me, then Kean. They are so much braver than anyone gives them credit for.” He shook his head, remembering how his body froze when Kendal’s lips met his own. Fire had licked at his skin, running down his spine, and he’d been grateful that he had set his hips back from them so they couldn’t feel his arousal.

  “What did you do?”

  “Kendal admitted how they felt, and so did Kean. They wanted…”

  “You,” William said.

  Andrew nodded. “I couldn’t do it to them. I couldn’t burden them with this life.”

  “But you can burden them with the thought that you don’t care?”

  Andrew shook his head. “I told them the truth. That I cared deeply for them, but I refused to give them this life.”

  “So you showed them a glimpse of happiness and then took it away.” William snorted.

  Anger raged, and Andrew swung around. “What did you expect? There’s no happy ending here, Will! Yes, I would love to have them in my life, but I don’t exactly live quietly, do I? The media would rake them over hot coals, and it’s not fair to them.”

  William stood, shaking his head and heading for the drinks table. He poured bourbon into two glasses and brought them over, handing one to Andrew. “You didn’t give them the choice, though, did you?” he mumbled.

  Andrew stared at the swirling copper liquid and swallowed. “It’s the best option.”

  “For who?”

  “Everyone.” He sighed and settled back against the window.

  “The only people I see winning in this scenario are the public and our treasonous family.”

  Andrew glanced over his shoulder. “Why?”

  “You’re giving up your potential happiness for the benefit of everyone else.” Andrew just stared at his brother, waiting for him to expand. “You’re pushing away happiness because you’re scared. Scared the public will refuse your relationship. Scared that our family will use them as bait or something heinous. Scared you might lose them.” William stepped closer. “Scared you’ll love them.”

  “Don’t forget, I’m also scared I’m too old for them.” Andrew huffed.

  William’s hand rested on his shoulder. “You’ve given this country enough, Andrew. Now is the time to take something for yourself.”

  “And what if they’re then taken from me because I was selfish?”

  William didn’t answer because there wasn’t a suitable answer for a question like that. Andrew had already lost Louisa to this fight; he refused to lose anyone else.

  ****

  “Are you sure you shouldn’t cancel this?” Freddie asked Andrew as the king pulled on his suit jacket.

  Andrew shook his head. “There’s no reason to. They’ve not done anything recently, and we don’t know if they ever will again. I can’t just drop all my obligations on the off chance something will happen. There has always been the chance that something will happen. It’s what we live with daily. You know that.”

  Freddie sighed. “I do. Still sucks, though.”

  Andrew chuckled and embraced his son. “You’ve been spending too much time with George again, haven’t you?”

  Freddie grinned. “And Damon. They’re both as bad as each other.”

  “How are the wedding plans coming along?”

  “Good. Randall seems to have it all under control, and he won’t let us help, so we’re kind of at a loss. The only thing we’re allowed to do is decide what we’re wearing, but even that, for me at least, is already decided. Damon hasn’t chosen yet.”

  Andrew picked up his phone and tucked it into his pocket. Officially, he shouldn’t have it on him in case it rang during an event, but his security team had told him, in no uncertain terms, that he was to have it on him at all times because there was an alarm on it that Andrew could press if he was in danger, and it had a tracking chip in it. He always had it on silent, though the vibration was on to let him know something had arrived and he needed to take the time to check it. The team had also arranged for a Morse code-style vibration. If it vibrated five times in a row, it meant there was trouble, and someone was coming to remove him.

  “You’ll look great in your military uniform, and Damon will look amazing in whatever he chooses. Is Robert doing the flowers?”

  “I believe so. He’s doing the flowers for his own wedding, too.” Freddie snorted. “No rest for the wicked.”

  “He really should let someone else do it,” Andrew said, heading for the bedroom door.

  “You know he won’t.”

  “Oh, I know. But maybe we can get Naomi and Finn to take over from him.”

  “We can try.”

  Andrew glanced around the living area. “I think I have everything.”

  “Be careful, Father.”

  Andrew cupped Freddie’s nape. “I will be. I have enough security to keep me safe.”

  Freddie glared at him. “You know better than to tempt fate.”

  Andrew chuckled though his heart was in his throat. “Have a good evening.”

  He stepped out of his suite and met Simon, Jared, Selena and Landon. He nodded at them and headed for the exit. Simon spoke into his radio when they reached the door, then nodded towards Jared to open it. The other four members of his personal security officers, Dominic, Colt, Nick and Viola, joined them. Andrew always got to know his team. He found it helped them work together, and they could relax a little around him. Rarely did he cause them problems.

  Simon opened the passenger door for him, and Andrew slipped inside and settled into the seat. Simon climbed into the front seat, and off they went.

  The event was a dinner, raising funds for children’s hospitals around the country. It was something he and Louisa would usually attend, but this time, he would fly solo. It didn’t feel right to bring someone else in her place. Not yet, anyway.

  Andrew didn’t bother doing any work, as he would’ve under normal circumstances. Instead, he spent the journey staring out of the window and thinking about a truly significant event that had happened five days prior. Something he still couldn’t get out of his head or get around. Having a relationship with Kean and Kendal would benefit no one but themselves. If he was honest with himself—which he could be when no one else was with him—if he could ensure their safety, he wouldn’t hesitate.

  Louisa’s final prediction—the one he never believed would come true—could easily happen if he let it, but he cared for those two people too much to put them through what they would have to go through to be part of his life. And it hurt his heart to deny them, but until he could see a solution, it was what he had to do.

  His phone vibrated against his leg, and he pulled it out, clicking on the message from George. Andrew laughed as the picture loaded. The entire group of them squashed into the frame, all pulling faces at the camera. In other words, the kind of picture Andrew would cherish for years to come. He zoomed in on the photo, focusing on two people he hadn’t realised would be there. Kean and Kendal stood next to each other with Kean crossing his eyes, and Kendal turned towards him, smiling. They looked happy, and that was all Andrew could hope for.

  He returned to the landscape outside of the window, his stomach aching and his chest reaching for what he couldn’t have. If he thought giving up the throne to Freddie would help, he would do it in a heartbeat, but a king’s life would never be out of the media. Even when he was dead, someone would bring something up about him.

  It was a risky situation, especially with the club being a major part of their lives. Which took his thoughts in another direction. How had Charles got people involved with their scheme, and who was involved? Andrew needed to speak with Kean—and maybe Kendal—and see if he would go through the videos. He’d planned to ask him the previous weekend but got distracted, understandably.

  As for who the moles were, were they likely to be doing more damage beneath the surface of the club where Andrew couldn’t see, or were they in sleeper mode now? Maybe if Kean and Kendal were still at Windsor when he got back, he would ask them if they’d help. They said they wanted to.

  “Five minutes out, Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you, Simon.”

  Andrew didn’t mind these events so much because he knew a lot of the people he would dine with, so conversation wasn’t awkward. But sometimes, it would be nice to have a normal dinner out, maybe with the entire family, and just relax. Not having to be “on” all the time. It would never happen, though. Having his family at Sandringham was amazing, and he was grateful for it, but he wanted to show his family off. Show what they’d achieved and who they were to the world without fear of retaliation or hurt. Which was why it would never happen.

  The car stopped at the base of the steps going up to the hotel the event was taking place at. Andrew waited for Simon to exit and round the car to open his door. He was more than capable of doing it himself, but Simon would check the area to make sure it was safe, and Andrew refused to do anything to make his—their—job harder than it needed to be.

  The charity organiser waited for him at the top of the steps, and Andrew shook her hand after she’d bowed. “Thank you so much for attending, Your Majesty. It means a lot to us.”

  “It means a lot to me, too. Shall we?”

  They entered the large foyer, and several people lined the walls, bowing as he passed. When they crossed the threshold of the ballroom, Andrew inhaled and smiled, Simon at his side and Selena and Jared at his back. There were lots of guests milling around, talking to other people, and Andrew had just decided to head over to someone he knew when he saw someone—or rather two someones—he would never have expected. John and Ernest.