During those awful weeks, Rory had written her an e-mail he was fairly certain she hadn't read. He'd sent her a few texts she hadn't returned.
And then her number had been disconnected.
Luckily, they'd known exactly where she'd gone since the tabloids had published pictures of the royals entering the palace. There in the background had been a somber Tori, following after her sister, a grim look on her face.
Oliver had announced that his idiocy wasn't going to come back to haunt them, then he'd left the office, not to return. Shortly thereafter, he'd sent Rory a note. Oliver intended to take a vacation. Since he hadn't taken one in years, Rory should have been thrilled. If he'd thought for an instant that Ollie was on some tropical island, he would have been. But his brother was somewhere brooding, and that wasn't good for any of them.
"I'm afraid Oliver isn't ready." Rory worried Oliver might never be. "But if we don't move soon, we're going to lose Tori. We can't wait for him. How much do you know about what happened the night before she left England?"
Talib shook his head. "Very little. From what the guards have overheard, she spent the night with Oliver and it did not go well. I was pleased to discover she wasn't pregnant. Oliver should be pleased as well."
"I don't think he was actually." Callum seemed to miss the "or else" inherent in Tal's tone. "I think he hoped she'd conceived so he would have to marry her. Oliver can't allow himself happiness. That's the problem. But we think if he sees enough of it, he won't be able to stop himself from joining in."
"You have the guards listen in on the women's conversations?" It was actually quite brilliant.
"It's a hobby of mine. But seriously, you will find that women like to keep their secrets. I learned long ago I can't protect the people I love if I don't know what's happening. In a place this large, a network of well-meaning spies is required to ensure happiness. You will find that a woman oftentimes expects a man to sense what she is feeling. As I am not psychic or even particularly sensitive, spying works. When I find out my wife has had a bad day, I am able to magically show up with her favorite flowers and a sympathetic shoulder. There are tricks to being a husband."
And if Talib couldn't be there, one of his brothers could. He never had to worry about Piper being alone.
He did, however, have to worry about Oliver being alone, but it was time to look past his guilt. Guilt wouldn't solve the situation and it would only make everything worse. Guilt would keep Oliver distant from her.
"We are serious about Tori, Your Highness, and we've come to ask your permission to court her."
Talib's fingers steepled under his chin and a long moment passed. "You are willing to marry her in the Bezakistani fashion?"
He'd already figured all of this out. "Yes. Once she agrees, we'll be married here. I've studied some of your laws. If Oliver turns around, we can return and file with the courts to have his name placed on our marriage license."
"Interesting. That law was put in place for brothers who happened to be off fighting wars when the marriage took place, but I cannot see any reason why it wouldn't work," the sheikh agreed.
"Oliver's fighting his own war." Sometimes Callum showed depth. "We want him to know he's welcome when he's ready to come home."
Tori was home. He knew that now. "As for the legalities in England, we've decided Callum will file a marriage license with her there, though my personal will shall be altered to reflect that she is my heir and the company would be divided between our sister and Tori should anything happen to us."
"And how will you handle the press? The British tabloids will go wild."
Callum shrugged. "It's never bothered me. They've run every story imaginable on me. I impregnated an alien, according to one."
Talib's eyes narrowed. "I am not concerned with the alien."
Callum's hands rose as if in self-defense. "I have not touched the Palmer woman in over a year. She's lying about me."
"I came to the same conclusion. I had a private investigator follow her and watch her house. She is not pregnant. Though I find it distasteful, my PI tipped off the tabloids to go through her garbage for proof. I believe the story will run tomorrow. I thought Tori at least deserved to know you weren't a complete bastard."
Callum's head fell back. "Thank god that's over."
"We are deeply appreciative, Your Highness." Rory was a little in awe of the sheikh's devious mind. He certainly hadn't thought of that and he should. "With regard to the tabloids, you should know I will ruthlessly protect my family with everything I have and I vow to learn from you. I don't care what they think. I'm going to be happy and they can shove it up their tight arses if they don't like it. I'm done playing by their rules. The people who care about me will accept the relationship."