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They reached the main floor.
She laughed at that. “Your confidence knows no bounds.”
“Should it?” He grinned, his green eyes twinkling.
They walked through the foyer and into the huge open room. Malik started toward them, his gaze swinging from her face to their clasped hands and then back to her face. His jaw tightened, and he smoothed his tie. His tailored suit was rumpled and torn in multiple places, his dark hair mussed, but he still looked like the most handsome and charming man in the world to her.
She tugged her hand free of Chad’s and walked over to the couches. She didn’t want to tell her story, but she badly needed help from both of them. The truth of Sunny’s conception and all the ugly but necessary lies were building inside her. She was terrified to put a target on Malik’s back, but he and his family needed to know how evil and underhanded the Rindlesbachers were so they could deal with them accordingly. They weren’t hoodwinked by William and Naomi like so many … were they? She wouldn’t think so after Treven had tried to kidnap Ellery Monson earlier today, but William would probably find a way to spin that in his favor.
Sophie twisted her hands together. Her racing heartbeat was suddenly loud in her ears. Chad caught up to her and put his hand on her lower back, escorting her to the closest couch, but she pulled away. “You two sit, please. I need to stand and get this out.”
The men gave each other an uneasy glance and they each sat on different couches.
Sophie took a deep breath. “First of all, thank you so much. You both dropped everything to help me without even knowing what I’m facing.”
“Of course,” Chad said.
Malik nodded.
“What I’m about to tell you …” She focused on the fireplace mantle. “I’ve never told anyone besides one trusted pastor. Not my parents. Not the police. Not even my closest friend Livvy.”
Malik’s gaze sharpened.
“Is that why …?” Chad began.
“I didn’t want my parents listening in?” she asked. “Yes. It was for their protection and Sunny’s that I kept my secrets in.” She paused and then met Malik’s gaze. “And for your protection.”
“Mine?” His blue eyes were wary. “From whom?”
Sophie paced back and forth a few times, then stopped and blew out a breath.
“I don’t know where to start.”
“You trust us both to have your best interests at heart?” Malik asked.
She met his blue gaze and then Chad’s green one. She did. She hadn’t been around Malik in six years, but she knew him. He would take care of her and Sunny. It was the only thing keeping her from dissolving into a puddle of tears right now.
“I do,” she said.
“Would you like us to ask questions?”
“Yes, please. That would help.” She gave him a shaky smile. What if he asked … was she going to reveal … she probably had to … how was he going to react? She felt like she’d healed from that horrific night with counseling from an incredible pastor and the Savior’s redeeming and enabling power, but she didn’t know that she’d ever be able to forget the horrific threats Treven had made to Malik. Was she wrong to tell him now?
“Who is the man that threatened Sunny tonight and had you running from the wedding?” Malik went straight for the meat, but she was grateful he cared more about who was threatening Sunny than who was threatening him. Of course he did. This was Prince Malik, brave and charming defender of women around the world.
“William Rindlesbacher,” she admitted.
Malik’s brows rose, and he and Chad exchanged a look.
“You’re right,” Malik said. “He is after the crown.”
“You know he’s evil, right?”
Both of the men let out half-chuckles that didn’t have any humor in them.
“Yes,” Chad said. “We know how black his heart is. Sadly, he’s also brilliant.”
“That might be the most terrifying thing about him,” she admitted. “Well, after the fact that he wants to kidnap Sunny.”
