Page 31 of The General Prince and the Nerd

“My parents and Henry and Leslie all have—or had,” his mouth twisted, “happy marriages. I don’t think a few dates at university could affect the case.”

He was probably right. “What happened to the prime minister’s daughter—Jennifer? My info shows she left to teach English in the Dominican Republic the day your mom died.”

“Is that all it shows?” His gaze was intense.

“She dated Tristan?”

He nodded and shrugged. “I think they had a fight or something.” He rubbed at his jaw and then clenched his fist and thrummed it against his leg. “It’s one of the few times T hasn’t shared with me. He kept insisting they just ‘needed a break’ and with mum dying, I didn’t dig into it.”

“Nobody found her and questioned her about your mom’s death?”

“Jensen did a phone interview. I can find it for you.” He sank into his chair. “I can’t see any motivation or evil intent from Jennifer. She’s a sunshine and serve others type of girl. I really wish she and T …” He trailed off and studied the computer.

Macey waited a few beats, studying his tense shoulders and the way his fists were clenched. He simply stared at the laptop, not typing anything. “Ray …”

“Yeah?” He looked up. His blue eyes were intense and stressed.

“… Are you okay?”

He shook his head, blew out a breath and stood, pacing in front of the windows. Instead of staring at the gorgeous view, he studied the array of monitors covering the perpendicular wall, each with a different camera angle of the castle. The exterior entrances, hallways, and large gathering areas were always on display, but the other areas rotated through or flashed up on designated screens if there was movement in that location. The security offices on the main floor had a similar setup.

Macey stood still, not sure if his pacing and angst were about her or about the case. The case was frustrating. There was no information to go on. Literally nothing. She could see why Ray had agreed to let her come and help. What if she wasn’t any help? That made her feel cold and try to push her glasses back onto her nose.

She was beginning to rule out her theory of Ray and his people not being good investigators. His mom had either died by suicide, or her murderer was brilliant and/or somebody nobody would suspect. Which was why the red flags she’d found, but hadn’t revealed to him yet, were disturbing. What if she had found something and it pointed straight at one of Ray’s brothers?

Ray’s eyes narrowed in on her. His blue gaze was suddenly very warm and very determined. He strode up to her, and Macey was pinned between him and the desk. She didn’t mind. Not at all. Would he kiss her again?

“How many of Sutton’s operatives did you date?” he asked.

“Excuse me?” Macey was befuddled. What did that have to do with anything?

He drew in and then pushed out a breath, his gaze boring into her. “You were telling my dad about all the men you’d worked with for Sutton. I’m sure they badgered you for dates constantly. Did you, or are you currently, dating any of them seriously?”

“Oh.” Well, this was awkward. She wondered how to explain. Would he find her less attractive when he realized her confidence around him and putting on makeup and pretty clothes was the act? He’d realize her saying she was a geek at the press conference wasn’t a joke. Truthfully, she was confident with Ray by her side—unless she was trying to explain why she didn’t date. “Um …”

He backed away suddenly, and she could breathe easier, but she’d enjoyed the pressure of his body against hers, his delicious musk and bergamot scent. Thumping his closed fist against his leg, he muttered, “I’m sorry. I know we need to focus, and I appreciate the different points you’re bringing up. I’ll keep a closer eye on each of the people you’ve asked about. The problem is … My mind keeps stirring up all these images of you with these impressive American special ops guys in full combat gear.” He shook his head and concentrated on the wall of monitors.

Macey’s heart thumped out of control. She loved that he was stirred up over her. She wanted him to open up and say he was falling for her, but that was too much to dream of. Macey Clifton with the most incredible prince of the century? Talk about unattainable dreams.

“Brave, bold, and beautiful,” she muttered.Please help me, Lord.

His gaze darted to her.

She drew in a breath and stepped up to him, not touching him but wanting to be close. She looked up into his eyes and admitted, “I dated one of Sutton’s ops five years ago when I was just out of college. His name was Steve. It ended … badly. Horribly. As in Sutton, Liz, Liz’s daughter, and their future son-in-law almost being killed and Sutton’s beautiful mansion being blown up. Steve was a traitor, a double-agent working for Liz’s vile ex-husband, the Duke of Gunthry. He used me for information.”

It was so humiliating to admit all of that ugliness to Ray.

“I’m sorry.” His gaze was compassionate.

“Thank you. After that, I swore to myself I wouldn’t date any of Sutton’s guys.”

He nodded his understanding; his blue gaze seemed relieved. “I bet they go insane asking you out.”

She stepped back and tried to push her glasses up onto her nose. Of course they weren’t there. Her stomach churned.

Ray caught her hand. The warm pressure of his fingers and palm calmed her. With her hand in his, she’d faced the press as if she were a confident future princess. What else could she conquer with him by her side? Sadly it couldn’t happen, so she needed to stop fantasizing about it.

“Why do you do that?”

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