"She doesn't need modest choices," Callum argued. "She needs to know how beautiful she is. She needs to see that marrying royalty isn't the only way to be a queen. She looks like one tonight." Callum sighed. "Ah, the al Mussad brothers have found her again. I'll be happy when they're gone. They're practically barbarians. Did you know the youngest one threatened to play football with my cock if I so much as thought about getting Tori into bed?"
Bastards. "Yes, I was accosted by Rafiq. Seems he doesn't think much of the three of us."
Rafe al Mussad had briefly spoken with him at the beginning of the ball. He'd explained that Tori might be an orphan but that didn't mean she was without protection. Rory had tried to convince the man that Oliver was perfect for her, but Rafe had merely scowled and told him to get his brothers on the same page or leave her alone.
Rory doubted the man had meant persuading Callum to align with him in supporting a marriage between Oliver and Tori. He rather thought Rafe meant all three of them should pursue her.
Together.
"I don't think I'll travel to the country this year," Callum said suddenly, jarring Rory from his thoughts.
The family always ventured to their country home for three weeks during the summer. In years past, when Callum hadn't been busy practicing or promoting his team, he'd joined them. The holiday had been a tradition since they were children. "It's your first year free. Why would you not come? We were all looking forward to being together."
"I don't want to leave Tori alone." Callum held a hand out. "Before you berate me, I'm not simply plotting to seduce her. She's a bit too trusting when she's wandering around the city. She's made some friends in very bad parts of town and she walks or takes the bus to see them. I want to make certain she stays safe."
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."