Despite his bravado, it was easy to see that whatever Eric’s demons were, they were winning. If Magnus eased off now, he had a feeling the next time he saw Eric might be in an obituary. “This is how it will go down. We’ll fly to Vandorra today. You’ll act as if all of this is your idea and that you’re happy. Reassure Rachelle that everything is fine. Tomorrow you’ll visit the children’s hospital. We’ll stay one night in Vandorra. My father will likely wish to meet you. You will not say a word to him about any of this. The next day you’ll discreetly check into a clinic where I’ve reserved a suite for you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Eric ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I’m not going anywhere with you, and I don’t need rehab.”
Eric took a step toward the door, but Magnus moved to block him. “Yes, you do.”
“Excuse me?”
“You might as well agree, since I’m not offering you a choice.”
“Buddy, you’ve let your title go to your head. Now get out of my way.”
Magnus took a calming breath. “Listen, I wouldn’t normally give a shit about you, but there are two people I don’t want to see hurt by your stupidity—one idolizes you and the other loves you. You need help, Westerly. I can’t make you take it. But I’m here, right now, offering you a chance to get some without anyone needing to know about it. Your sister believes there’s something in you worth saving. It’d be nice if you proved her right. In fact, she’s here, so you can tell her your decision now.” Magnus nodded for the guard to open the door. “She’s in the library.”
Eric strode out of the office and into the foyer. Magnus followed.
As soon as she saw him, Rachelle flew to Eric and wrapped her arms around him. “Eric, are you okay?”
He stood awkwardly stiff in her embrace, but studied her face. “Of course. You?”
“Just worried. I’m sorry about last night, Eric. I don’t know what I was thinking. I wanted to be there for you, not embarrass you.”
Clearly uncomfortable, Eric stepped back and pocketed his hands. “You’ve never embarrassed me.”
Rachelle’s voice shook with emotion. “If you don’t want me to go to Vandorra with you, I’ll understand. I know you didn’t expect me to show up at your door or the premiere. Nicolette says I have trouble with boundaries. Sometimes I can’t help myself. I had a feeling that you needed me. I just want you to know that even though we were raised apart—you’re important to me. I love you. That’s all. I can go home now, because that’s what I should have said the first day, and it’s what I needed to say before I could leave.”
Westerly’s shoulders hunched slightly. The bold action hero from the big screen wasn’t visible in this man who seemed at a loss for what to say. Magnus felt more pity for him than he expected to, but he didn’t like that Westerly had yet to say he was going to Vandorra. Short of forcibly hauling the actor onto a helicopter, there wasn’t much more Magnus could do.
“I’m not going to Vandorra.”
Shit.
Rachelle’s eyes filled with confusion. “No? But Eric—”
“I never wanted to be Water Bear Man. He’s a ridiculous character with an implausible backstory in a spandex costume. I took the role as a favor for a friend. It was never supposed to be a career. I’m not a role model, I’m a fucking joke,” Westerly said.
Rachelle touched her brother’s arm. “You’re not a joke. You’re an inspiration. Do you know how many children I’ve taught who wanted to grow up to be strong and brave like Water Bear Man? Think about the little boy in Vandorra. Meeting you will give him courage.”
Westerly withdrew from her touch and rubbed his hands over his face. “It shouldn’t. I’m not a superhero. I’m a fucking mess. I don’t want to meet that kid. He’ll see right through me.”
Rachelle looked to Magnus as if he’d know what to say. Magnus didn’t. This was uncharted territory for him as well. Clasping her hands in front of her, Rachelle took a moment to gather her thoughts. “Maybe your career isn’t what you hoped it would be. So what? Everyone I know is still a work in progress. We’re all doing the best we can—hoping to God we get enough right to make up for everything we get wrong. You can’t focus on what you don’t have. Go to Vandorra. That little boy needs to know that you care.” When Eric didn’t immediately answer, she added, “If you go, that’s what he’ll see.”
Eric covered his face with one hand. “One visit. One kid. No press.”
Rachelle looked like her heart was breaking for him. “You’ll be glad you went, Eric.”
Eric raised his eyes to Magnus’s and shot him a not-so-subtle silent warning. “Would you like to come, Rachelle?”
With a tentative smile, Rachelle said, “I’d like that.” Looking as if she’d lost a battle with herself, she threw her arms around Eric again and hugged him. “I was so worried when you didn’t answer my texts last night.”
Eric awkwardly patted her back. “Sorry, I misplaced my phone.”
Rachelle looked past him and met Magnus’s eyes. “That’s funny, I lost mine recently as well. Since I know it’s here, though, I have high hopes of finding it quickly.”
Magnus fought a smile. She’s angry with me. “Things happen. I’m sure it will turn up.”
“I hope so, since I’m not going anywhere without it.”
I do like her spirit. “I find that when I am patient and calm, I don’t lose things.”
She stepped away from her brother, and her chest heaved. She placed her hand on Magnus’s arm. “Could I have a moment alone with you?”
“Absolutely,” Magnus said, surprised at how much he enjoyed even that brief touch.
Eric looked as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t.
Magnus led the way to the office and closed the door. She had impressed him again. He was also pretty proud of how his plan was coming together. Eric was on board with making the appearance. Rachelle had had her moment with her brother. Finn would meet his hero. If everything else went as well, the trip would end with Eric in a rehab center and Rachelle in his bed.
I should tell her there’s no need to thank me now. What I’m imagining for later will be thanks enough.
The finger she poked into his chest took him off guard. “I don’t know how things are done in your country, but we need to clarify a few points before I go anywhere with you. First, what’s with the goons? They’re freaking me out. Are they keeping me safe or keeping me here? Either way, they’re too much. I was half convinced you were kidnapping me before I saw Eric.”
Magnus smiled, which only made her more angry.
“You think it’s funny to scare people? If so, I hope your country has a second option for a king or I feel sorry for them.”
His humor and smile faded away. “Be careful, little Rachelle.”
Even though she only came up to his shoulders, she stepped closer and put her hands on her hips. “No, you be careful. Don’t become so enamored with power that you forget how to treat people with respect. I was raised around people like that. It’s not pretty.”
“I haven’t treated you poorly. In fact, I have gone way out of my way to help you.”
“Really? If you’re helping me, then why take my phone? That’s not helping; that’s controlling. Don’t confuse the two.”
Magnus sighed. “I was in the middle of something when you texted me that you were about to phone the police. You left me with no choice.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Magnus,” she said angrily. “I’m so sick of people blaming others for their own bad behavior. You always have a choice when it comes to how you treat people. I won’t be bullied. I want my phone back, and I want an apology.” She folded her arms across her chest and glared up at him.
Had anyone else spoken to him in that tone, he would have quickly put an end to such insolence, but it was different coming from her. Perhaps because her motivation was selfless. Her only agenda was the happiness of those she cared about. His mother had been similar and had also taken people to task when they disappointed her. Something his father often said he’d loved about his wife—he was a better husband, father, king, because she had never feared telling him what she thought. Not in public, but in private, as Rachelle had.