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It was as serious as their dad ever got. They needed good publicity, and their dad didn’t need any more stress. Bringing Macey into their lives was supposed to take their people’s minds off the queen’s death, the rumors of the ‘suicide curse,’ and the daily death threats T had received the past couple of weeks. Ray’s crush on Macey, and T’s refusal to let it go, was messing everything up.
Ray had to let her go. His stomach fell as darkness cloaked him.
“Understood,” he said.
“Understood,” T echoed.
“Ray.” His dad’s demeanor softened. “I’ve noticed the way you look at Macey. If you’ve fallen in love with her, we can start fresh with a new plan and deal with the consequences and …” He pushed out a breath. “Somehow, we’ll make it work.”
If you’ve fallen in love with her.Had he? Macey was amazing and seemed perfect for him, but love? No. It was too quick.
His dad left the offer dangling, and T was giving him a pleading look. Ray was tempted. More than tempted. He appreciated his dad putting his needs first. But … it wasn’t right for him to act on his selfish desires. Protecting his family, keeping the kingdom safe. That was what he did. Not sappily fall in love.
“Thank you for caring enough to offer that,” he said to his dad. Then he straightened his shoulders and shook his head. “I don’t love Macey. I’m impressed by her and attracted to her, but that doesn’t factor in. I’ll be in better control of myself around her.”
T let out an annoyed huff but said nothing. His dad studied him, then nodded. “Okay. We’ll keep going like we’ve planned. Macey can hold her own with that talk show host. You two get serious and do your part so we can keep everybody happy and oblivious while Ray and Macey find this annoying ‘Enforcer’ and Anne’s murderer.”
There was nothing to say to that. It had to happen. Macey was a gift. For their country and their family. Not for Ray.
Please help me push this obsession away and focus, he begged heaven above.
Their dad nodded to each of them. “See you at dinner.”
“See you,” T echoed. Ray managed a tilt of his chin. He’d added to his dad’s pain and stress with his lack of self control. He had to be done with this obsession for Macey. He had to prove he was as strong as he’d trained to be his entire life.
No Macey.
Their dad strode out the door. Ray leaned heavily against the wall. He’d never felt so drained. The press knew about their switch. Everyone had seen Ray was head over heels for Macey. Now they had to try to salvage the situation on an American talk show. In three and a half hours. He had to pray hard to keep his feelings from showing for even the briefest of moments. The cameras would be watching him as closely as T and Macey. What if they made T and Macey kiss? His stomach churned and he didn’t know that he’d be able to eat dinner tonight.
“Do you know what this means?” T asked.
Ray’s dreams were over?
“What?”
“You lost the bet.” T grinned. “You owe me two days of sitting in meetings while I play with Macey.”
Ray growled. He was going to pummel his insensitive jerk of a brother.
Before his fist could connect with T’s eye and give him a shiner that might distract the talk show host, T said, “I’m sorry, bro, but you’re doing this to yourself. We’ll find a way if you will just admit you love Macey.”
Ray forced himself to straighten away from the wall, stare into his twin brother’s blue eyes, and say, “I don’t love Macey.” It was true. He couldn’t possibly love someone he’d met days earlier. He loved a lot of things about Macey, but that was different than loving her.
His heart thudded dully in his chest, as if him not loving Macey hurt it.
He didn’t love her. He really didn’t.
“Denial.” T shook his head morosely.
Ray probably should hit him.
“Well, I’m done listening to your lies. I’m heading to dinner. And you need to get your butt up to the spa and tell Macey what’s happening. Tell her why you can’t act on yourlove… yet.”
Ray deflated. He should force T to tell her. Was he strong enough to be alone with her and not tell her everything he was feeling, why he couldn’t act on it, and how stirred up he was inside?
He glared at his brother. T couldn’t stop smiling. Maybe just one more solid punch to that handsome face. It would ruin Ray’s chances of switching his brother places again, but their last fail had already ensured that. Might as well get the satisfaction of getting the last hit in.
CHAPTERELEVEN
