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“You seem to know all about us.”
Unfortunately, Macey only had two days to prepare for this mission. Time she would have preferred to spend setting up an advanced AI model to track the comings and goings and backgrounds of everyone who had been in the castle in the last six months. Instead those precious minutes had been spent learning which fork to use and how to wear makeup. She had snuck in some time doing digital digging on the plane ride over and learned the basics, and a few gems.
“You’re identical twins. Thirty years old. Tristan’s five minutes older. Tristan is focused on his duties as crown prince. Ray … mond,” she amended, hoping Tristan wouldn’t realize how comfortable she and his brother had gotten, “is the leader of the military, accomplished in hand-to-hand combat, archery, target shooting, and he’s decent with a sniper rifle.”
Ray gave her an appealing smirk that she wanted to kiss right off his lips.
“Steffan is twenty-eight and a doctor,” she continued. “He lives in Traverse, about thirty miles north of here and the largest city in Augustine. Steffan is focused on the hospital, the emergency room and intensive care are his favorite spots to work insane hours, he’s well-respected in the hospital and the community, and is currently dating an accomplished violinist for the Austrian Symphony.”
They exchanged a look. “That is impressive. I didn’t even know that,” Tristan said.
“Give yourself a break. You’re a little busy running a kingdom and trying not to get murdered,” Ray said.
Tristan grinned at his brother as if his own murder was a great joke. She liked the rapport these brothers had and hoped her kissing Ray wouldn’t come between them.
“Curtis is twenty-six. Previously a firefighter and EMT, he built a gorgeous cabin five miles east of here two years ago. He spends most of his time in the mountains, monitoring the most accessible routes from Austria to Augustine, sending any suspicious tourists packing, and hosting any lucky tourists at his home.” She paused, not sure if she should share the rest. Maybe they’d share with her. There had been some articles about a Swiss climbing instructor dying and Curtis being to blame. She hadn’t been able to look into it … yet.
Tristan and Ray exchanged a look, and she got that feeling again. There were some well-hidden secrets they didn’t care for her to find out about. She’d get to the bottom of the secrets, but maybe not on day one.
“Pretty much sums up Curt,” Ray said. “He loves the mountains and his cabin is incredible. Who’s next?”
“Derek and Malik are twins, but unlike you two, they are not identical.”
“Come on,” Tristan protested. “I’m a million times more handsome than this guy.”
Macey smiled but did not tell the crown prince exactly how handsome his twin was in her eyes. Her cheeks heated as she thought of the mistake them being identical had made her make. She didn’t like to think of that all-encompassing kiss as a mistake. She shouldn’t be thinking of that incredible kiss at all.
“Derek is a superstar in the American Ninja Warrior circuit,” she continued, “a darling with the American media, and hasn’t been home since your mom’s funeral.”
There was an awkward pause.
“Malik is the charmer. He has a condo in Traverse, but …” She bit at her lip. “I didn’t have time to figure out what he does, besides accumulating degrees he doesn’t use. I suspect he and the word ‘job’ aren’t on close speaking terms.” She tried to act like she had less information than she did. Would they share that their brother had beaten a man in a posh Prague hotel?
“Only if you consider dating beautiful women and traveling a job,” Tristan added.
“T …” Ray gave him a look of mock outrage. “Those are very important jobs.”
“Apparently.” Tristan chuckled. Macey wanted to laugh, but she found herself wondering how many beautiful women Ray was dating currently.
“And then there’s Kiera,” Macey said. “I couldn’t find much on her …” She really hadn’t. She would. If she wanted to.
“Good.” Ray looked as fierce as she’d seen him look. “We don’t need any internet trolls or creeps finding her.”
Tristan nodded his agreement.
“I can understand wanting to protect your sister,” she said. “After ten seconds with her in the solarium, I can see why you call her Wild Child.”
Tristan’s eyebrows rose. “How in the world did you know that?”
Casually, she glanced at Ray and was happy to see that he was impressed as well.
“I can understand you wanting to keep her out of the spotlight,” Macey said nonchalantly. “To be honest, I got this assignment on short notice, and I had to … there were more pressing subjects to study up on. Give me a day and I’ll know more about your siblings than you do. And everyone else in the castle, for that matter.”
They both looked a little stunned, but Macey’s thoughts were on Kiera. What would it have been like to grow up protected and loved as the rambunctious, happy Kiera was? Gage had tried. He’d fought for her and taught her to fight, but he hadn’t been by her side every minute. Maybe if she’d had six older brothers. She couldn’t fathom how different Kiera’s life was from what Macey’s growing-up years had been. Royalty was a huge part of the difference, but Macey wasn’t envious of that. She was envious of a loving family, and safety.
“You’re good at research.” Ray studied her intensely. Her cheeks warmed. If she was so ‘good at research,’ she probably should’ve figured out she was kissing the wrong twin before throwing her life into upheaval. Was Ray as affected by those kisses as she was? He’d said women had kissed him before thinking he was Tristan. How many women? Had their kisses been better than Macey’s? The heat was in her neck now. Of course they would’ve been. Macey’s only kissing experience was Steve and a handful of boys in high school and college, nothing compared to the exquisite prince grinning at her right now.
“We’ve heard from Sutton how impressive you are.” Tristan’s smile was kind. “Are you originally from San Diego?”
