‘I like your plan, Miss Roberts.’
The approving words from his brother that afternoon alarmed him. ‘I don’t like any of it,’ Dev protested, knowing his resistance was expected.
‘Tough.’ Gabriel got up from behind his desk and walked around to lean against the front of it.
‘With your approval, I’ll liaise with the palace media spokesperson and ask him to arrange the press conference for Wednesday of next week.’ Mackenzie ignored Dev completely as she addressed his brother—didn’t even glance to where he sat, even though he was less than a metre to her left. ‘That’ll give me time to plan the details with Prince Devereaux.’
‘Perfect, Miss Roberts. The sooner you and Dev get started on this the better.’
Indignation and denial balled in Dev’s chest at the way his brother and the gorgeous image consultant made plans and expected him to fall into line. ‘Impossible,’ he objected. ‘I have plans for next week.’
‘Cancel them,’ Gabriel decreed, using the autocratic tone and expression he’d perfected. ‘You’ll be at the press conference. I’ve told you this is non-negotiable, and I expect you to cooperate fully with Miss Roberts.’
Dev sat back in the leather armchair, his elbows on the armrests and his fingers steepled in front of him. ‘You’re determined to go ahead with this, Gabriel?’
‘I believe I’ve made my expectations crystal clear. I don’t want any more negative publicity surrounding you—especially now as the trade talks approach. Speaking of which …’ He walked back behind his desk and opened a drawer. A moment later, he withdrew a folder and slid it across the desk. ‘Miss Roberts believes it would be beneficial to have you attend the trade forum with me, and I agree with her.’
Yes! Dev hid his enthusiasm behind a scathing look which he aimed at Mackenzie. ‘You think if I’m bored out of my brain by attending these trade talks I’ll be more malleable to the idea of your yacht racing series?’
‘Devereaux, that’s—’
When Gabe began to admonish him, Mackenzie held up a hand and spoke straight over the top of him. ‘I think if you attend the trade talks, you’ll be seen as taking an active interest in the economic future of your country. I understand you have a commerce-law degree.’ She delivered a tight smile and said coolly, ‘Now might be a good time to dust it off and put it to some use.’
A tense silence ensued as her gaze held his. Her eyes held an unmistakable light of challenge and the air was charged with electricity as tangible as the atmosphere before a late afternoon summer thunderstorm.
She wasn’t prepared to budge an inch.
Neither was he.
Gabriel cleared his throat—possibly to remind them both of his presence in the room.
Dev almost smiled. His brother wasn’t used to having anyone silence him, let alone speak over the top of him, and now he was being ignored. He had to hand it to Mackenzie. She was one forthright lady who was clearly used to fighting her own battles.
‘Take the folder and read through it,’ Gabe instructed. ‘Your role needn’t be active, but you will be a presence at the meeting. Of course if you have any input, I’ll welcome it.’
Dev leant forward and picked up the folder, much more interested in the agenda of the meetings than Gabe realised. In fact, he had to tamp down his genuine pleasure at being invited to attend the talks. Turning to Mackenzie he demanded, ‘You want me to attend state meetings and compete in the yacht racing series?’
‘Not at the same time.’ She stated the obvious as though he were a simpleton. ‘I believe the yacht series is the best strategy if I’m to succeed in reinventing your image. Your participation in racing will have far more public impact and give the people of Santaliana an insight into a more serious side of your character. The trade meetings will provide an opportunity for you to interact with some powerful world leaders. Essentially, you’ll have the chance to make a favourable impact on two very different groups.’
‘Clearly, I don’t have a lot of choice.’ Not exactly true. There was no bloody way he would’ve gone along with her plans had he not received orders to do so. ‘But, I’m warning you I won’t be a passive puppet in the racing series.’ The series would work to his advantage.
Her features softened and so did her voice. He had to steel himself against her change in tactics to handle him. ‘I’m not an expert on yacht racing. The purpose of our meetings over the next few days will be to plan the details and I’ll rely heavily on your input.’ Her entire demeanour was akin to one she’d use to mollify a recalcitrant child, and it set Dev’s teeth on edge. ‘I’ll listen to everything you have to say and certainly the more intricate details of the race series will be planned on the basis of your advice, but you need to remember the reason for the racing series. The prime motivation is to reinvent your image. You need to accept that I have the big picture. I see the goal posts and I’ll have the right to veto your suggestions.’ She looked at his brother. ‘And, of course, I’ll present the plans to you, King Gabriel, for final approval.’
Someone had starched her spine. The woman was unbending.
The desire to have her bend to his will, grew. It’d be extremely satisfying on so many levels to take her to bed and have her totally in his thrall—to banish this hard-nosed businesswoman and reveal the soft, feminine side of her. When he took her to his bed, he was confident he’d erase the word ‘no’ from her vocabulary and her two most commonly uttered words would be ‘yes’ and ‘more’.
‘When might it be feasible to start this racing series, Dev?’ Gabe asked.
He exhaled a pent-up breath of frustration at the way his brother was determined to steamroller him. ‘Given all the major events of the official racing calendar have just finished, it’s conceivable yachts and crews could be ready to compete within a couple of weeks of the announcement being made. The difficulty will be in getting all the plans and sponsorship in place before the next official series recommences.’
‘I’m sure we’ll manage.’ She sent him a confident smile.
He was sure they would too. He was under instructions from above to move things into place urgently.
‘Excellent. I’m happy to proceed as quickly as possible, Miss Roberts,’ Gabe said. ‘Prince Khalid assured me you’re at the top of your field, and from the way you’re already planning to handle this, I can believe it.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Speaking of Khalid, he and Sabihah are arriving Friday of next week, Devereaux, ahead of the trade talks,’ Gabe said. ‘I’ll expect you to join us for dinner on the Saturday evening.’
Khalid was definitely not his favourite person at the moment, but it might be a good opportunity to engage his help to convince Gabe to think about remarrying. Then, Gabe would be less intent on his plan to change Dev’s image. ‘How could I possibly resist the opportunity to catch-up with the man responsible for masterminding the brilliant plan to change my image?’
Ignoring Dev’s sarcasm, Gabriel asked, ‘Miss Roberts, would you also do us the honour of joining us on the Saturday evening?’
She looked taken aback at Gabe’s invitation. ‘I … Thank you. That would be lovely.’
She wasn’t the only one who was surprised. Dev could hardly believe Gabe had invited an outsider to dine with them as they entertained a couple who were two of Gabe’s closest friends. Dinner with the Queen of Rhajia and the Crown Prince of Turastan was always an informal, intimate occasion where conversation was completely unguarded. Why had Gabe invited Mackenzie to attend?
‘Devereaux,’ his brother continued, ‘I’d like to speak with you alone before you join Miss Roberts in your office.’
‘Thank you for your time, King Gabriel,’ Mackenzie said as she stood. ‘I’ll be in your office, Prince Devereaux.’
Dev forced himself to settle back in the plush leather armchair as Mackenzie left. He wondered what Gabe was going to spring on him next. Gabe cleared his throat. ‘Thank you for your cooperation.’
Dev twisted his lips and gave a grunt of disgust in response to indicate he was only doing so under protest.
‘What do you think of Miss Roberts?’ Gabe asked.
‘She’s infuriatingly stubborn and has no respect for royal title.’
Both Gabe’s eyebrows rose. ‘In other words, she won’t bow and scrape to you and put up with your shit?’
His hands clenched. ‘Damn it, Gabriel, this isn’t funny!’
‘Since when have you cared about your royal title? You’ve always said you find the deference to our royal birth aggravating!’
‘I do, but your image consultant is completely at the other end of the spectrum. She’s supremely bossy. The woman’s expecting me to come when she whistles and to dance to her tune.’
A smile played around the corners of Gabe’s mouth. ‘I can see how her demands would grate on you, and from the interaction I just witnessed between you—’ he smiled fully, ‘—you seem to have … rubbed each other up the wrong way.’
‘I’m not hers to command.’
Gabe sent him a long, hard look. ‘She’s just trying to do her job. I’m paying her to call the shots, and you must realise her reputation speaks for itself.’
‘Nobody has ever addressed me the way she does.’ He sat forward, feeling edgy.
Gabe’s splutter turned into a cough. It told Dev the King was definitely working hard to suppress his humour, and that made Dev want to thump him.
‘I find her quite respectful,’ Gabe said.
‘She respects you because you’re paying her fee!’
Gabe laughed then. It was loud and hearty. The sound struck at Dev’s heart. He hadn’t heard the King of Santaliana laugh in a very long time. It was almost worth being in such an untenable position just to glimpse the humour in his brother’s eyes.
‘You two are definitely sparking off each other. I suspect I’m going to enjoy watching the fireworks as she works to reform you.’
‘Will you agree to give up this crazy idea of reformation if I promise to lay low and stay out of newspapers until after the trade talks are finished?’
‘No. You’re nearly thirty. It’s time you lived life differently.’
‘I—’
‘She’s extremely beautiful, isn’t she?’ Gabe asked.
What the hell? The out-of-the-blue question rocked Dev to the point where he was pleased he was sitting down. Gabe never commented on a woman’s physical appeal.
Was Gabe attracted to Mackenzie? Is that why he’d invited her to dine with them?
‘Are we still talking about Miss Roberts?’
‘Of course we’re talking about Mackenzie. Surely you’ve noticed how incredibly beautiful she is?’
An enormous lead weight settled in Dev’s chest, pressing down on his diaphragm and making each inhalation laborious. He wanted Gabe to move on with his life and remarry … He wanted his brother to be happy. But … Mackenzie? Dev felt as though he balanced on a razor’s edge. The thought of Gabe being interested in Mackenzie sliced him.
Gabe couldn’t be serious. Dev didn’t want to contemplate his brother forming an interest in the woman he was so deeply attracted to. His instinct was to warn his brother off, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t reveal his interest in her because he still needed to maintain his playboy image. ‘She’s hardly my type,’ he lied.
‘Oh. Of course.’ The reply was almost absent-minded. ‘You prefer blondes, don’t you?’
‘Yes.’ Another lie.
‘She’s very bright too.’
Oh shit. ‘Gabe … Seriously? Are you attracted to her?’
‘I’ve only just met her.’
Geez. It didn’t matter they’d only just met. Dev had only just met her too, but he’d known in a heartbeat that he wanted her. ‘You’re attracted to her.’
‘If that were true, you should be pleased,’ Gabe reasoned. ‘Instead, you’re scowling at me.’
Scowling? Instantly he made his features relax.
‘Why aren’t you happy I might be interested in her? After all, if I did remarry, the pressure would be off you to marry and produce an heir.’
Unable to sit still anymore, Dev shot up from his chair. ‘This is a ridiculous conversation! You’ve only just met her and you’re talking about remarriage when earlier today you were adamant you’d never marry again!’
‘Why is it so inconceivable?’
Dev raked his fingers through his hair as he searched for a sound argument to dissuade his brother from pursuing Mackenzie. Each muscle was tight with agitation. ‘For God’s sake, Gabe, you’re never this impulsive.’ What the hell had happened to his serious, staid brother? It had to be the Mackenzie effect. Who would’ve known they’d be attracted to the same woman? ‘Anyway, she’s not for you.’ The words were out of his mouth before he could hold them back.
Curiosity stamped itself across Gabe’s features. ‘Really? On what basis do you form such a definite opinion?’
‘She’s …’ He waved one hand in a tight circle as he sought for a valid objection. ‘She’s got no respect for royal tradition. When you remarry, your bride will be Queen of Santaliana. You’ll need someone far less forthright—far less abrasively bossy than Mackenzie Roberts.’
‘Abrasively bossy. It’s quite a description! She really has ruffled your royal feathers, hasn’t she?’ Gabe laughed again, his amusement making him look younger.
‘None of this image consultant rubbish would be necessary if you’d put the past behind you and start living again.’
‘Yet, when I’ve just hinted I might be prepared to start thinking about it, you tell me you’re sure Miss Roberts isn’t a suitable candidate,’ Gabe commented with a bemused expression. ‘You’re not making any sense, Dev.’
And didn’t he know it!
He searched for calm to combat the roiling of his gut. ‘You rushed into marriage with Angelique thinking about your royal obligations. That turned out to be a mistake. You can’t want to rush into another relationship, Gabe—especially with a prickly young woman who’s dedicated to her career and doesn’t appear to have a diplomatic bone in her body.’
All trace of humour vanished from Gabe’s face the moment Angelique’s name was mentioned. Dev had disregarded the unspoken rule and mentioned his former sister-in-law and the subject of Gabe’s failed marriage. It was a taboo topic, and Dev should’ve known better. Trying to move the conversation away from Angelique, he said, ‘After the insults Mackenzie Roberts has dealt me, I shudder to think of the international incidents she might cause for Santaliana. You can’t be interested in her. Be serious.’
‘I’m very serious about your reform.’ He drew himself up to his towering height of six feet five inches. He was only an inch taller than Dev, but at that moment, Gabe was as unreachable as if he was on top of Everest and Dev was in the valley below.
‘Read through the information about our objectives for the trade agreements as soon as possible, and don’t keep Miss Roberts waiting any longer.’ He sat abruptly behind his desk, not bothering to glance back up as he began leafing through whatever papers of state required his attention.
Great. Now Dev was expected to spend the rest of the afternoon with Mackenzie. He was tempted to go and have a cold shower, except the effect of a cold dousing would last all of about two seconds once he was in Mackenzie’s presence again. God, but he hoped Gabe didn’t form an attachment to the image consultant. The last thing Dev wanted was to be lusting after his brother’s wife.
Mackenzie … Gabe’s wife?
The concept was unthinkable. Mackenzie was attracted to him, not to his brother. Dev was certain of it.