Rafe shook his head. "It's not quite as bad as that, but in our world, Talib is the head of the family. Tori is a member of that family. We feel she requires someone to watch after her. She's obviously a smart girl, but there's more at stake than her own reputation. This trashy article, despite the fact that its origin is about an innocent fall, has the possibility to harm us all. We have to protect our own."
"Then you won't mind turning Tori over to us. That way, she won't be your problem anymore," Rory growled more harshly than he intended, but he meant every word. He didn't appreciate the idea that the royal family now viewed her as a publicity liability.
Callum stepped beside him, presenting a united front. "She's a person, not some figurehead. I won't have her hurt in order to save the people who should love her a few problems. The palace can go to hell for all I care. She's the one who matters here."
Piper smiled, but there was a wealth of sadness behind it. "I'm very grateful you feel that way. I knew you were all good men."
"But?" Oliver stood. He'd stayed out of the circle of conversation, holding himself back. It was something he did frequently, so Rory hadn't thought much of it. Now he could see a chill settle over Oliver. His eyes had gone positively arctic as he looked at the queen. "I assume there's a but somewhere in that sentence."
Oliver was shutting down right in front of him. The night before he'd been so open, like the Oliver he'd known before Yasmin. With every second that went by, Rory watched his brother rebuilding his walls again.
Worse, he suspected Oliver was correct. "Where is Tori?"
Callum shook his head. "The wedding ring is a formality at this point. We decided last night. She belongs to us. Piper, we'll take good care of your sister. We love her. I don't understand why there's a guard posted outside her door."
That was news to Rory. "When did you go looking for her?"
Callum shoved a hand through his hair, the gesture rife with frustration. "When I woke up and she was gone. The guard wouldn't let me in. Then when I found the paper, I went into problem-solving mode and I forgot to tell you. Obviously, Tori is embarrassed, but there's no reason for her to be. None of this was her fault. The press is being vicious, and we'll sue every single paper that runs a story disparaging her. And I'll beat the living shit out of the reporters."
"She fainted," Piper explained. "The doctor was with her when you came by. I actually think it was more than a fainting spell. I think she had an anxiety attack. These last few weeks, especially last night, have been too much for her."
Dread rolled over Rory at her words.
Callum immediately started for the door. Dane and Cooper stepped in front of the entrance to the hall, blocking the path that would ultimately lead them to Tori's suite. Callum stopped and turned around, his eyes wide with surprise. "What is the meaning of this? I want to see my fiancée. I have the right to make certain she's well. For god's sake, you would want the same thing if we were talking about Piper."
"But we aren't talking about Piper. We're talking about Tori." Oliver picked up the small bag he'd brought with him the night before and stepped toward Kade. "Is she going to be all right? Physically, I mean."
Kade nodded. "I think so. She was quite emotional when I saw her. We'll watch her and take care of her."
"If she needs anything, please contact me. If not … " Oliver nodded toward Piper. "Please give your sister my best and tell her I won't bother her again. She's free of all obligations to Thurston-Hughes Inc."
A tear slipped down Piper's cheek. "I'm sorry it's ended this way, Oliver. For what it's worth, I thought you were good for her."
His lips curled up in a half smile that contained not an ounce of amusement. "Tori is a smart girl. Perhaps she's emotional now, but … she knows a good thing when she sees it. And obviously, she knows how to quit while she's ahead."
Rory stared at his eldest brother. What the hell was he doing? "Oliver, she's just had a shock. Give her a bit. We should be supporting her through this debacle, not walking away."
"He's right," Callum argued. "Don't be a barmy fuck. She needs us."
Oliver's face hardened to sharp lines. "Do you not see those two?" He gestured to the guards. "They aren't protecting us. They're here to make sure we can't see Torrance. They're ensuring she doesn't have to see us again. And in case you haven't been listening, she was hysterical at the thought of having to be around us."