And it gave Callum ample opportunity to press his claim, Rory thought wryly. “Let me see if I understand you. You’ve managed to move into her building and now you’re going to pounce on her the minute Oliver and I leave town. Is that correct?”
Callum threw back his head and laughed. “I don’t know that I would have put it quite so bluntly, but yes, I intend to make my feelings and intentions known.”
Rory fully understood why Oliver had thrashed Callum earlier today. He contemplated doing the same right now. “Don’t. You think she’s too trusting whilst wandering the city? You can’t imagine she’d be any less trusting when you’re wining and dining her into bed. I don’t think she’s even had sex with that fiancé of hers. I suspect she’s a virgin.”
Callum stared at him like he’d grown two heads. “I can assure you she’s never had sex with the fiancé, but a virgin? Isn’t finding one over the age of twenty a bit like finding a unicorn these days?”
Rory glanced around because this wasn’t a conversation for the tabloid reporters almost certainly lurking about. Oh, they wouldn’t be allowed inside, but they always had ears and eyes at events like these. The last thing he needed was an article about the Thurston-Hughes brothers speculating on whether or not their publicist was a virgin.
He dropped his voice. “None of it matters because you’re going to leave her alone.”
“I won’t do that and I told you why.” Callum glanced up. “Damn, they’re all on her now.”
He followed his brother’s line of sight. Sure enough, the al Mussad brothers, along with the queen, hovered around Tori. “I don’t think the sheikh approves of your choice of clothing, either.”
Callum went a little pale. “Actually, I think they might be asking her how she afforded the dress.”
“Didn’t you ask Sheila to find her something she could afford?” They had a personal shopper who could work miracles at times. Of course a man like Callum didn’t need a miracle. He could buy whatever he wanted and he definitely wanted Tori. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“I wish I could. I sincerely do right now. Do you think they know those diamonds are real?”
“They buy jewels for their wife all the time. Of course.”
“Shit. I might be in a bit of a pickle then.”
“You idiot! You paid for the jewels and the gown and let her think she could afford them.”
“And the shoes. Don’t forget the shoes. They were ridiculously expensive and I bet she looks like a dream in them.” Tori suddenly glared Callum’s way. “She’s going to murder me.”
“I might help her,” Rory snarled.
“Do you think the al Mussad brothers will kidnap me and drag me to their desert to kill me slowly? Or will they simply do it here for the sake of swift vengeance?” Callum straightened. “No. I won’t let them intimidate me. I’m going to talk to the sheikh and explain that I’m serious about Tori. I’ll get his permission to court her.”
“And if he won’t give it?”
“Then I’ll watch my back and pursue her anyway. Her sister already likes me. I sent her boys signed footballs and promised to coach them when they get older. Hell, I’ll take on the country’s World Cup team if I have to.” Callum had always known how to use his resources.
“You’ll do nothing of the sort.” Maybe it would be best if the al Mussads dragged her out of the country. Otherwise, Rory wondered if the mutual desire he and his brothers had for Tori would tear them apart.
Unless she was the one who brought them all together. It had worked for the al Mussads.
But Oliver would never share, and they didn’t live in Bezakistan. Foolish notion. Such a relationship would never be accepted in England.
You’ve got a billion pounds at your fingertips. If you never made another, you could live happily for several generations. What good is all that bloody money if it doesn’t give you freedom?
Sometimes the voice in his head made too much sense.
“We’ve got a problem.” Claire approached them as quickly as her four-inch heels allowed.
“Yes, we seem to have many of those tonight,” Rory drawled. “And you’ve clearly forgotten the top of your bloody dress, too. I should have wondered why you came down wearing that shawl. You knew very well I would have told you to change.”
Her lips curled up in the sweetest smile as she patted his cheek fondly. “You’re a dear, Rory. But I’m almost twenty-seven and I don’t need my brothers to choose my wardrobe. It’s smashing that you would watch out for me, but I think our dear Cal needs our attention just now.”
“Why?” Despite Callum’s worries, Rory didn’t really think the al Mussads would kill him. They would be far more subtle and dangerous. Besides, the queen really did like Callum.
She glanced over her shoulder, toward the entry. “Security fetched Oliver a moment ago. There’s a woman at the door without an invitation, insisting on seeing Callum. She claims to be his fiancée.”
Callum cursed. “Bloody Thea.”
Did the drama never end? “I’ll talk to her.”
“No,” Callum said. “I’ll do it.”
The press would be all over that.
“No,” Rory insisted. “You stay here. Oliver and I will deal with her. Don’t you dare show your face. It will do nothing but encourage her.”