Page 28 of Trained Royal

“I wanted to apologise for leaving without you yesterday. I know I should’ve woken you, and I’m sorry.”

Kieren bit his lip before he answered, taking a breath through his nose. “You should’ve, yes. Not only because it wasn’t safe for you to drive alone, but because you took a chance with my job. If Brett hadn’t been as understanding as he is, I could’ve been fired.”

Patrick’s moves stuttered, but he recovered. “I never thought about that. I’m doubly sorry, then.”

“Apology accepted only if you promise not to do it again. No matter how at odds we are, I need you safe.” That was more than he’d planned to give him and more telling than he’d wanted.

“Promise.” A few seconds later, he asked, “We didn’t have time to talk it through much, but what did you think of the club?”

“It was both what I was and wasn’t expecting. I don’t understand the need for pain, but then I’ve not been on the receiving end, so I can’t form a full opinion. It doesn’t seem like something I’d enjoy.”

“Would you want to be on the receiving end to experience it?”

Kieren hesitated. While he didn’t think he’d enjoy the pain, he’d seen other things that could lessen the sting. Was that something he would want to try? “Yes, but with some amendments.”

“What kind of amendments?”

He pursed his lips. “The cane appeared painful, but I know there are other implements that wouldn’t hurt as much.”

“There are lots of different items, providing a wide range of pain levels or even no pain. Would you like me to show you?”

Wasn’t that the question of the day? Of course, Kieren knew his answer, but was it the right answer? Would this bring them closer than they should be, or would it bring them towherethey should be? He only had one answer he could give.

“Yes, please.”

****

Chapter 9

Patrick

When Patrick had asked the question, he’d expected a resounding negative answer, but Kieren had surprised him. He didn’t take his gaze off Kieren’s movements, though, following with his hands and feet in a surprisingly easy set of actions.

“Okay, great. We can start with something small and see how it goes.” Patrick already had ideas of what to use for the first time. “When would you like to try?”

Kieren stayed silent for a few moves and said, “How about Friday evening? You don’t have to be up early for work the next day.”

If Patrick had his way, he wouldn’t be working there for long. He needed to have a sit down with his father and explain that finance just wasn’t for him. He’d given it a good try, but after fifteen years, he couldn’t do it anymore, though he didn’t know what he would do instead.

“Friday is great. We can go to the club again and book a room, then take it from there.”

Kieren hummed what Patrick took as his agreement and changed the subject. “Did you ever figure out what was wrong the other day?”

Patrick frowned. “The other day?”

“In the car on the way back from the club, you were uneasy about something. Did you figure it out?”

“Yes. You remember Charles saying that Juliet was due on 10 March? Well, that was the date Aunt Louisa died. I don’t know if it was a lie and he wanted to see how I’d react or if he was telling the truth and it’s a cruel twist of fate.” Patrick had paused when Kieren had, and when he didn’t continue, Patrick glanced at him. “What?”

Kieren was frozen with his right leg in front of his left and his hands outstretched, but his gaze was on the floor. Patrick could almost see his mind working on something, but he didn’t know what. He didn’t want to ruin his flow; therefore, he kept quiet and still.

After several minutes, Kieren’s hands dropped to his sides. “I need that list,” he muttered.

“What list?”

Kieren blinked at him as if just remembering he was there and cleared his throat. “The list of dates and locations. I wanted to go through it and see if there were any links I could see.” He shrugged. “I know plenty of people have already done it, but…” He shrugged again. “I don’t know.”

“Have you not asked for it?”