“You have questions,” Armand began as he faced his youngest son. The morning light was strong through the open windows and showed, all too clearly, the marks of a sleepless night on both faces. “I prefer it if you wait to ask them until after I’ve finished.”

He’d been prepared to demand and to rage. The lines of strain and weariness made his father look suddenly old and much too vulnerable. Again, it was love rather than duty that guided him. “All right.” Because he needed it, Bennett poured coffee and left it black.

“Will you sit?”

“No.”

Armand’s gaze sharpened at the tone. Then he, too, let love hold sway. “I shall.” Once seated, he set his untouched coffee aside. “Two years ago, I sat in this office with Reeve and Malori. You and Alexander were also present. You remember?”

Bennett paced to the window and looked out. “Yes. We were speaking of Deboque and what could and should be done.”

“Then you remember that Reeve, even then, had an operative in mind to infiltrate the organization.”

“I remember, too, that it was decided that the name be kept from Alex and me.” The trace of resentment he had felt then had grown to true bitterness in one night. “And that Malori was not completely satisfied with Reeve’s choice.”

“Malori has always been one of the most trusted members of the security staff in Cordina. But he’s old-fashioned.” Armand saw no need to add that he, too, had had his doubts. “He was concerned with using a woman.”

Bennett downed half his coffee. “I felt then, as I feel now, that Alexander and I had a right to know what was being done. More, all of us had the right to know that the woman we accepted as friend was an ISS agent.”

“I felt then as I feel now—” Armand’s voice, though quiet, held the whip of authority “—that neither of you had a need to know. If I had become ill, Alex, of course, would have been apprised. However—”

“Do you think because I won’t rule, Cordina is of less importance to me?” Bennett whirled on his father. The fury on his face was lethal. “All of my life I’ve been the younger brother. Alex was born to rule Cordina after you. He was molded for it, just as his son will be. Do you think because of that I cared less, loved less or would have offered less?”

Armand said nothing for a moment, knowing the words had to be chosen with care, even as they came from the heart. “Bennett, I’ve watched you grow from child to man and have waited for a sign, for a hint that you resented your position. You have been sometimes wild, always reckless and too often indiscreet, but never have I seen anything in you but love and devotion for your country and your family.”