The Royal Contract

After hearing Edward refer to the accident, something inside of him clicked. Alex abruptly charged into Edward's direction in a swift move, blocking his path, making him suddenly stop. 

On the other hand, Dani did not expect what Alex did. She was surprised by the action. She did not know what was going through Alex's mind as if he was declaring war.

Then, after a glaring battle where no one seemed to want to lose. It was Edward who first broke the silence. "What seems to be the problem, my dear cousin?" He asked with a crooked grin but still keeping his eyes focused on him.

Alex maintained an impassive face as he continued to keep his eyes also fixed on the other man. He wanted to stay calm, but he could feel his blood boiling. 

He just had enough of his cousin's tricks. He wanted to believe that he had nothing to do with this accident but past experience indicated otherwise.

"I hope if you heard any kind of information about the accident. You would share it with me immediately," Alex spoke up with a tight lip as he studied his cousin's reaction.

If it was not Edward, another one of his suspects was his ally, Nick. But he could not ignore the possibility that they might be working together on this too.

It was not beyond Edward's capability to resort to his dirty tactics. If paired with a sinister man like Nick, Edward might be more than capable of doing horrendous things.

"Are you saying that you suspected foul play?" Edward acted stunned with what he heard.

Although he already knew all about the ongoing investigation of the police. It did not mean that he could not play dumb in front of his cousin. 

Not that it would throw him off the scent away from him and divert his attention elsewhere. He still did not like to confirm or deny any participation in the incident.

"Yes, the police suspected that something was off," Alex explained, not wanting to elaborate more.

If his cousin was involved or the mastermind behind it, he did not want to tip him off about the details of the case. He preferred to catch him with his lies.

"Of course, you could count on me. Do you have any suspects or evidence on the case?" Edward asked, seeming to be thinking deeply of what Alex said. 

He was actually enjoying the haunted look in his cousin's eyes. It was clear that he was on a witch hunt for the culprit. It was evident he was eyeing him to spill the bean.

A dark shadow passed through his vision, clouding his judgment. He was like a bull with a red flag waving in front of him. He could not stop himself from charging and going for the kill.

"If I found out that you had a part in what happened to Dani, I will forget that we are a family. I will personally come after you." Alex said in a barely controlled temper, grabbing his cousin by the neck of his dress shirt.

He knew he should never have said that, but there was something in his eyes. He could not stop thinking that he might have something to do with it, one way or another.

"That sounded like a threat," Edward grabbed Alex's hands that were still gripping him tight, tapping him gently. "I think it is time to let me go. I am still your prince."

In a fistfight, he knew he was no match with Alex. Maybe if he was lucky, he could land a few damaging blows on his face and body. 

On the other hand, he would be suffering a broken nose and some broken ribs. He would even probably end up in a hospital. Well, that did not sound fair. So, he always resorted to power.

"That is not a threat but a pledge." Alex was not about to back down from him whether he was the prince in line to the throne or even if he was the king. "You know me, I never renege on a promise."

He was never afraid of him or his father. To him, their titles did not excuse them from doing something wrong. It did not give them the license to do whatever they wanted.

On the other hand, their position should always put them accountable for their actions. It should make them realize that they had a higher moral standard to follow since they were the ones people looked up to.

"Hey, stop it, you two." Dani tried to separate the two from the hold they had of each other. "I think this is just a misunderstanding." She continued, prying them away from each other's throats.

Dani heard everything, but it was hardly any news to her. She had already gathered the part about the police investigation. She concluded that her father and Alex had included Edward and Nick on the list of responsible for her accident.

"Fine." Edward abruptly let go of his hand, waving them in the air as surrender. "Since I understand that emotions run high on occasions like this, I will let this one slide." Edward tapped Alex on the shoulder, his expression clearly mocking him.

He was fascinated with the way his cousin was losing control. It was not like Alex to get his emotion get away from him. All because of this woman.

"Ok." Alex finally let go of him, but he did not apologize for his action. He only did it because of Dani, who seemed alarmed by the situation.

If not for her, he would have beaten Edward to submission until he confessed all his crimes. It might not be his upbringing and training, but he was willing to do it for the safety of his future wife.

He was willing to set an example to whoever would think that they could use Dani against him. The first time he had learned of her accident, he already figured that he and Dani had a target on their backs.

"Don't worry, my cousin. I won't use this incident against you, although I can have your head on a plate." Edward liked to exaggerate matters as if he still lived in medieval times.

But he continued in his statement when Alex did not attempt to respond to his words. "I will even help you find the culprit." He placed his hands inside his pants pockets, bowed to Dani, and walked ahead of them, leaving the two behind.

Alex decided not to dignify what he said with a response. Edward was all bark but no bite when it came to his powers in the palace. He did not even understand his position and responsibility as the heir prince.

"Are you ok?" Finally, Dani's voice broke through his thoughts. 

If only all his enemies knew that the only way to get to him was through her, then her life would be in constant danger. 

"I'm good. I am sorry about that. I should never have lost my temper." This time, Alex apologized to her for his inappropriate behavior. But, his eyes still glanced at the retrieving back of his known adversary.

But he believed he should have done more. He was afraid he only put a mark on Dani's back by not acting on instinct.. Dani was now a moving target with a large X on her back.