"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."
Callum's lips flattened. "She's my problem."
Claire shook her head, blond curls brushing her bare shoulders. "No, she's our problem and we'll deal with her. Trust me, if I ever acquire my own creepy stalker, I'll let you handle him."
After a long moment, Callum yielded. "All right. I'll keep Tori nearby in case we need some damage control."
Claire reached for Rory's hand. "Let's put this to rest. And keep an eye on Oliver. I'm a bit worried how he'll handle this."
Because Oliver was something of a psychopath lately. Rory turned and left his horniest brother in order to deal with the most violent one in a situation guaranteed to rev up Ollie's temper. Brilliant.
Rory sighed. Sometimes, being the reasonable one was bloody difficult.
* * * *
Oliver stormed toward the security guard. He wanted to blame Tori for wearing that next-to-nothing gown and making him feel so damn possessive. If her breasts hadn't been on display, maybe he wouldn't have wanted to murder every man who laid a hand on her, even her brothers-in-law.
He'd watched Kadir touch her as though he had every right. Granted, the contact hadn't been sexual, but … It was plain to see the al Mussads wanted her back at the palace where they could watch over her and very likely choose whom they believed would be a proper husband for her.
Or husbands, as was their custom.
What did Tori's brothers-in-law think of her poor fiancé back in Texas? Did anyone give a whit about him?
As he reached the security station, Oliver felt more than ready to deal with any man who stood in his way. Instead, he found a woman beside the gate, wearing a stunning, form-fitting ecru gown that barely covered her. Gown wasn't the right word actually. Mini-dress might be more suitable. The tiny garment showed off her breasts and brushed high on her thighs. The poor girl couldn't possibly bend over without showing the world her backside.
If she was pregnant with Callum's baby, it certainly didn't show.
"I don't understand the problem." She pouted at the guard. "My fiancé is inside. He simply didn't leave me with the proper paperwork."
"You need an invitation to get in, miss." One of the guards sent her an expression of grim apology.