confident.”
He pulled me in closer. “No, you were only doing what I asked, keeping it strictly between the two of us. Speaking of which, I still don’t understand who the leak could possibly have come from.”
My mouth went dry. I instructed myself to speak up and tell him everything I’d kept from him, but I couldn’t do it. He’d be so angry—and it wouldn’t change what had already happened.
Malcolm either didn’t notice my silence or was unconcerned by it. “Not that my acting skills were that stellar the two times I fled the scene, but those would only have spurred vague speculation at worst. Someone here betrayed the family, and that’s a serious concern indeed.” He glanced down at me, coming to a decision. “I’m ringing Trevor to check on the progress of their investigation.”
When he leaned forward to allow access to the phone in his back pocket, I forced myself to speak. “Malcolm, wait.”
“Did you think of something?” He disregarded my staying hand on his arm, unlocking his phone and scrolling to Trevor’s contact, so I moved my hand to cover the screen instead.
“I need to… tell you something.”
It was only then he noticed my grimace. “From the look on your face, I won’t like it much, will I?” Despite his words, he didn’t appear very worried about what I might say.
I shook my head and began with the easier part. “I discussed the issue with Prince Leo.”
“When? Today?” His question was casual.
“Well, yes, today, but also last week.”
His eyes widened. “Last week? But why?”
I gripped his arm. “I only did it in your best interest—so he could help.”
Malcolm stood, turning to face me, phone still gripped in his extended hand but forgotten. “You promised me you wouldn’t tell a soul.”
“I know, but I had to make a judgment call. He approached me, already suspecting it.”
“Of course he did. He’s always been nosy. When he starts asking questions, it’s time to batten down the hatches, not let the bloody sea in!”
Now he was being unreasonable, so I stood as well, not liking the increased disadvantage of my position down on the sofa. Not that standing made me that much taller, but still. “For your information, your nosy brother was the one who intercepted at the public health conference and told everyone you were dehydrated!”
That did the trick and shut him up. But not for long, of course.
“You should have told me.” His tone had softened somewhat.
Since he was right, I could only nod. “Yes, I should have. I apologize.”
He shoved his phone back in his pocket and propped his hands on his hips as we squared off on the rug and watched one another. His head finally tilted and he asked, “Why didn’t you?”
That wasn’t so easy to explain, yet I owed it to him to try. “I suppose I was trying to do it all on my own and keep you away from all the noise.” I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
He considered this for a moment and then nodded slowly. “I should have known Leo wouldn’t leave it alone.”
While he didn’t actually say he accepted my apology, his comment made me smile nonetheless because Malcolm had his entire family at his back and I was glad of it. But my smile died on my lips when I remembered I wasn’t done sharing. Damn, what I wouldn’t have given for a warm beach or a cannoli.
But Malcolm didn’t notice my change in mood because he had his phone out again, no doubt preparing to ring Trevor. “What’s done is done. Unless you have anything else to share…” He almost looked amused at the notion. Until he saw my face, that was. My grimace was getting quite the workout today. Malcolm’s brow furrowed and his mouth turned down. “You do, don’t you?”
There was nothing for it; I’d just have to dive in and get it over with. “Yes.” I swallowed hard. “I mistakenly left my notebook with the coping strategies on my desk when I left my office the other day. When I returned, Victoria was sitting across from my desk waiting for me. The notebook appeared undisturbed, and I asked if she’d been in my things, but she maintained she’d only arrived a few seconds before me. Of course, now I know that to be false. I’ve already told Trevor, so don’t worry, he’ll take care of it, but I’m really sorry.”
His expression had gone from wary to incredulous. “And you didn’t think to tell me this before