Jamie made an annoyed face. “I think she likes how the optics play out in the public eye over our happiness. I’ll get over it.”
“If we’re going to chat about your family, I’d rather do so with a drink.”
“You and me both.”
“Right, then. Let’s be off.”
Liam waved the Customs and Border Protection Officer closer and pressed his hand against the proffered tablet screen. The computer scanned his passport on the NatID chip embedded beneath his skin, logging his arrival into the country. Liam wasn’t here on official Crown business but as a private citizen. No fanfare had greeted his arrival on US soil, for which he was thankful. The entourage of Secret Service special agents attached to Jamie was more than enough of a headache.
With his luggage stored in the boot of an SUV by airport workers, Liam had nothing else to worry about and followed Jamie to the sleek black sports car. Two Secret Service special agents held the doors open for them. Liam slid into the front passenger seat, always strangely put off when he found himself seated in the spot where the steering wheel should be. The Secret Service special agent closed the door for him as Liam buckled up.
Jamie started the engine, waiting patiently for the two SUVs in front and the two in back to start their own. When the two in front pulled away, Jamie followed the route they took toward the private exit attached to the terminal Liam had flown into.
“Have you become used to the gilded birdcage yet?” Liam asked, fiddling with the air-conditioning vents so the cool air hit his face rather than his chest.
Jamie snorted. “I didn’t like it much growing up, and I still don’t care for it now. Why do you think I joined the Marines in the first place?”
“Probably for the same reason I joined the SAS.”
Liam leaned his head back against the bucket seat. They had been idealistic back then, or maybe just full of themselves. Liam had gone to Sandhurst because that had made the most sense after he graduated university. The royal family had many offshoots, and while he was a prince and thirteenth in line for the throne, he would never wear the crown. The number of working royals was limited due to funds and to manage public perception. If Liam hadn’t chosen the military, he would have had to take on patronages and spend his days glad-handing.
If he hadn’t chosen the military, he would still be human.
Liam’s parents hadn’t wanted him to join the United Metahuman Guardians. They’d wanted him home, off the field, and away from any danger that could blow back on the royal family. The queen had the final say in the decision, and Liam still remembered that afternoon tea with his gran, talking about a future instead of lying in a grave.
The queen had given him permission to fight, and he had stayed the course until the attack on Washington, D.C. last year. With his classified identity revealed to the world at large, fighting as a royal was nearly impossible these days. The political ramifications were too much, but Liam still wasn’t ready to retreat from the field and active duty. He wasn’t ready to give up his team and the life that had defined him for so long, more than the titles that came with his name.
“How is Kyle doing?” Liam asked, changing the subject.
The smile on Jamie’s face said more than words ever could. “He’s good. He had a range class this morning for MDF agents, which is why he didn’t come with me to pick you up. He should be back home by the time we arrive.”
“I suppose he’s good enough to teach them how to hit the broad side of a barn.”
Jamie laughed. “One would hope.”
Hope had nothing to do with Kyle Brannigan’s skills as a sniper. The former Staff Sergeant had started off as a Strike Force operative before joining the Metahuman Defense Force, a rank even Liam thought was impressive. Kyle’s ability to make near-impossible shots look easy, with or without a spotter, was frightening when you were on the other side of his scope.
Liam was just glad the other man was still here. The attack on the United States’ capital last year had nearly broken Jamie, and a big reason for that was Kyle. Liam hadn’t seen Jamie shoot Kyle in the heart, but he’d witnessed the aftermath, and it hadn’t been easy nor pretty to watch. Liam firmly believed Kyle surviving was the only reason Jamie was alive today.
Their upcoming nuptials were long overdue, and Liam was thrilled to do his duty as best man for Jamie. Better a wedding than a funeral, in his opinion.
The drive to Jamie’s luxury condo located alongside the Potomac River went faster than it would have if they didn’t have an escort. The Secret Service cleared them a route, and it wasn’t long before Jamie pulled into the private car park in the basement of the residential high-rise. The Secret Service had dedicated parking spots on the level Jamie owned, but none of the special agents followed them into the lift that would take them up to the penthouse.
Liam and Jamie were more than capable of hauling his luggage upstairs on their own. Jamie’s enhanced strength made it even easier. Liam only had three pieces of luggage for the five days he would be in town, and none of them contained weaponry of any sort. He was a bit put out by that, if only because it was a reminder that it had been over a month since he was last let out on a mission. Even then, it had been restricted to the United Kingdom.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Kyle said in greeting when they stepped off the lift and entered the home.
Liam waved at him. “Hello to you, too.”
Jamie lifted one of the luggage that he carried. “I’ll take these to your usual room. Get yourself a drink.”
Liam let Jamie walk off with his things, more than willing to take him up on the drink offer. Kyle got up from the sofa and came over to give Liam the same sort of hug Jamie had greeted him with.
“You want beer or whiskey?” Kyle asked.
“What sort of question is that?” Liam replied with a smile.
Kyle laughed. “Whiskey it is. Come on, we’ll break into our wedding stash.”
