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The rest of the passengers filed in, and although the flight was almost full, Anthony had an empty seat next to him. He stretched out and settled in, taking his tablet out to study his score. The jet took off, the noise of the engines forming a quiet symphony accompanying the music in his mind.

A little while after they reached altitude, his study was interrupted by a body slipping smoothly into the seat next to him. Anthony didn’t need to look up to know that it was Freddie.

Anthony couldn’t focus on work with Freddie there. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he broke the silence.

“Thank you for the flowers.”

“You’re welcome.” Freddie’s voice was soft and almost…tentative? So unlike him.

Anthony kept his gaze focused on the opera score in his lap, but he was hyper aware of the muscular man sitting next to him. For the first time, Anthony noticed how good Freddie smelled: earthy, with a hint of cinnamon.

He reached over and rested his hand on Freddie’s thigh. Hard muscle flexed under the smooth, silky fabric of Freddie’s dress pants.

“You don’t have to stay in a different room tonight,” Anthony said, still not making eye contact. “I know you prefer to be closer. For security reasons.”

Freddie let out a quiet sigh.

“Thank you. That would be best.”

Freddie placed his hand on top of Anthony’s, applying the lightest pressure. It surprised Anthony how smooth Freddie’s palm was. He hadn’t expected a professional bodyguard to moisturize.

“I…am sorry.” Freddie’s voice shook as he spoke.

Anthony’s brow furrowed in confusion. Was it that Freddie wasn’t used to apologizing? Was he worried Anthony wouldn’t forgive him?

“It’s okay.”

“No. I don’t want to hide things from you. But…the more you know, the less you’ll be able to extricate yourself from all this.”

Anthony frowned. That was positively wordy for Freddie, but he wasn’t sure what he meant.

“From what?”

“From this…world. My world, Master Hughes’ world. It’s dangerous, and I want to protect you. I was hired to protect you.”

Anthony’s stomach dropped with a sudden realization. “What about Uncle Danny? If they’re willing to kidnap me for leverage, he must be in even more danger.”

“He’s with Master Hughes. The safest place in the world is by Oliver’s side. He has resources at his disposal. Daniel is untouchable. That’s why the Azarians are coming after you.”

Anthony shook his head. All of this was so murky. “Who are they?”

“Anthony, I—”

“I don’t care how dangerous it is, Freddie. Daniel is my only family left, outside of my nonna. If he is in trouble, I want to know.”

Freddie took in a deep breath and let it out. They sat in silence, but something weighed on his mind.

“The Azarians are a family,” Freddie said, bringing his volume down and leaning into Anthony. “They are based in New York.”

Anthony found it hard to think with Freddie so close, but he fought through. He needed to understand.

“A mob family?”

“Of a sort.”

“I don’t understand. If they’re in New York, what do they care about what happens in London?”

“Outside of Charles Azarian, the...head of the family, they are all very young. An internal power struggle decimated the ranks about ten years ago. They are rebuilding their influence, and they’re branching out.”