‘Secure for now, we have six other units.’
‘Stay with him, try to get hold of Control.’
‘Heard.’
Lachlan wills his eyes to adjust in the dark, one hand around Jules’ wrist.
‘Bodyguard,’ Jules says gently.‘I’m fine.’
Lachlan frowns.He didn’t even realise what he was doing.His thumb is pressed against the point that provides relief, making circles.‘Sorry,’ he says, stopping the motion but not letting go.‘I’m sorry.’
‘You call meCascade?’
‘It’s a codename.’
‘Why that word for—?’
He crushes Jules flat against the wall and covers him with his whole body in near total darkness because he hears the footfalls of a man, can tell a lot even in pitch black about height, weight, state of mind just from the clop of expensive shoes on marble.Lachlan hides Jules completely, whispers, ‘Hold your breath,’ as the footsteps heighten, getting closer, then he’sright there, and then… slowly moving away again.The man passed by, gone elsewhere.Lachlan slowly exhales.‘Good job.’
‘Who was that?’
‘Doesn’t matter.He wasn’t asking for help.’Lachlan knows these rooms surrounding the ballroom well.There’s one close by he could stash Jules in while he regroups with Carrigan but none of them lock.
This place needs a fuckingpanic room.
‘Bodyguard.’Jules touches his cheek.‘Why am ICascade?’
Lachlan patiently knocks his hand away.
‘It’s a military term,’ he half lies.
‘For what?’
‘Jules?’someone calls out in a loud whisper.‘Jules?’ It’s a younger voice and by the use of the shortened name, Lachlan guesses it’s one of Sorrenko’s boys, Roman.‘You down here?’Lachlan calmly puts a hand over Jules’ mouth when he feels him tense up to answer.
‘We should check toilets,’ suggests the younger boy, Vasily
Lachlan keeps his hand where it is until he’s sure they’re gone, then he carefully removes it, Jules’ breath rushing against his palm.
‘Sorry.’Lachlan scans around now that his eyes have adjusted.‘I’m gonna take you to the staff stairwell and get you to the East Wing.’
‘I want to stay with you,’ Jules whispers.
‘No.’
‘Please?’
‘Jules—’
‘I feel safe when I’m with you.’
Lachlan huffs.It’s not one of the kid’s better attempts, although the wordkidfeels for the very first time ill-fitting given that they’re toe to toe, and Lachlan guesses he has one more summer before Jules is taller.‘You’ll be safe in the East Wing.’
His radio crackles to life.It’s Fenwick.‘Control to Kestrel.Come in Kestrel.’
Lachlan answers quickly to avoid attention.‘Kestrel here, status update.’
‘Where are you?’
