by Grady, D. R.
“Maybe you should have been my father’s son.”
Those dark, dangerous eyes warmed minutely. “Prince Aleksandr never doubted your ability to run this nation.” Even Vlad’s smile was a little scary.
“There aren’t many men like my father.”
“No, there aren’t.” The calm assurance in Vlad’s voice and demeanor was also reassuring. Emerson was right in that Vlad seemed to have come into his own. He knew who he was and what he was capable of. Now he seemed comfortable in his own skin. In their youth there had been that edgy restlessness that made him uncomfortable to be around.
“What did my father specifically want from you?”
“I have studied terrorists from all over the world. And trained with countries who have been fighting them for years; so we can then use that knowledge to defeat them.”
That knowledge would certainly be helpful. “Our size is going to be both a help and a hindrance.”
“Yes. We’re small, so we might not have the resources much larger countries enjoy. Yet we’re far more nimble than some of the behemoths out there.”
“It’d help if we had allies in those behemoths.” He tapped his fingers.
Vlad smiled again. This one wasn’t as scary. Maybe it helped knowing this superman was on his side. “Who says we don’t?”
Thoughts crowded and spiraled. “We do have allies in some of these huge nations?”
“You’re marrying an American girl. You think her uncle, the U.S. Navy Admiral, is going to allow a terrorist to attack the nation where she lives. Where she’s the princess?”
He smiled. “Probably not.”
“I’m not going to allow it either,” a voice drawled from what appeared to be the ceiling.
While it startled him, Vlad didn’t so much as flinch. Instead, he seemed to be expecting that voice. “Ah, nice of you to drop in, Commander Morrison.”
“Morrison?” Tia’s last name was Morrison.
“Meet Tia’s cousin, Ben Morrison. Ben, meet Tia’s fiancé, Prince Aleksi.”
“Nice to meet you, Prince Aleksi.”
“Likewise, Ben Morrison. Does Tia know you’re here?” It was weird talking to the ceiling. Even weirder when the ceiling responded in an American accent.
“Not yet. I plan to squeeze her tomorrow morning. Does that work, Welly?”
“Welly?” He echoed, stunned.
Vlad actually rolled his eyes. “Meet three of U.S. Navy SEAL Team Eight. Ben commands them. They’re lazy Americans so they all call me Welly instead of Wellington.”
“Wellington is such a mouthful,” a completely different voice drawled in a laid back California vibe.
“Right, Tigger. This is Derek Shively. He’s not allowed to squeeze Tia.” The voice that was Ben agreed with Vlad’s dictate.
“Hey, she has a right to hug whoever she wants.”
“No, she doesn’t.” He wasn’t certain which of them spoke loudest, but he was certain Vlad, himself, and Ben all answered in the negative.
“Wait until you meet Aleksi.” Vlad sounded definite.
“Does he look like you?”
“Yes, he is my cousin.”
“Now wait, if he’s a prince does that mean you are too?” Shively sounded horrified.
He laughed. “Vlad carries royal blood, but Rurikstan has only one prince. Unfortunately, I am he.”
“As you can see, none of us particularly want to be prince,” Vlad added. “If something happened to Aleksi, my brother is next in line. And he has a son, so I’m a lot further down, thankfully.”
“If something happened to me, your father is next in line.”
Vlad’s eyes widened before he smiled. “Right, it would go to Dad first.”
“When are we going to meet all of your family?” Another male voice inserted.
“Meet Rex Beaumont,” Vlad introduced. “Come into Aleksi’s office. We know the equipment works now.”
He wasn’t certain what to expect but when the three men entered his office, but he was somehow surprised when they came so quickly, silently, and with the same commanding power and grace he attributed to Vlad.
The lean African American man was the first to stop in front of him. He held out his hand. “I’m Ben Morrison, Tia’s cousin.”
He shook the man’s hand, and now that he knew which one was Tia’s cousin, he saw the family resemblance. “It is an honor to meet you,” he replied formally.
“Yep, this guy is definitely related to Welly,” the man who had to be Shively quipped. His sun bleached hair and bright eyes made it obvious he was likely the California man. The other man was quiet, with the most intelligent eyes he had ever seen. There was something trustworthy about Rex Beaumont. He was as tall as Ben, both of whom were taller than Shively.
Beaumont was respectful and shook his hand with the sure grip of a man who was also comfortable with himself and his skills. Shively was definitely the clown in the group, but he was probably the one most underestimated. The man hadn’t achieved Navy SEAL status without hard work, determination, intellect, and perseverance.
“There is no doubt you and Welly are related.” Beaumont spoke softly and with a faint southern drawl.
He nodded. Vlad was standing beside him, so he imagined there was a family resemblance. “Vlad was born the warrior in the family.”
“Thought I saw a picture of some old guy who looks just like him.” Shively used his head to indicate Vlad.
Vlad’s lips turned up. “That was an ancestor of ours. He’s why I’m apparently a warrior.”
“And has studied to be one since he was five.” He still couldn’t believe that.
The other men all turned respectful looks on him. “Since you were five?” Ben asked.
Vlad nodded. “That’s what my prince asked of me.”
“I thought joining the Navy before college was bad.” Shively thumped Vlad on the back.
“You do what you’re asked.” Vlad shrugged. Like it was no big deal. Then turned to address him. “These men report to Admiral O’Riley. So the good news is, we don’t have to do this alone.”
Chapter 14
Helena stepped into the lab the next morning and glanced around. It appeared she was the first to arrive. Then she heard noise in the office and strode there. Poking her head around the door frame she noticed Tia frowning at her computer screen.
“Bad news?”
Tia turned toward her and smiled. “No, just another meeting.” She pushed some wisps of hair off her cheek.
“Ah, not the fun kind of meetings?”
“No.” Tia returned to frowning at the screen. Then she perked up. “Hey, my cousin says he thinks he’ll be able to pop over and see me.” She tapped the bezel of the laptop. “Mark says he has a conference close by so he wants to come see me afterward.”
“When? You’re leaving soon, right?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” Tia swung back to her computer and tapped out a quick message. “I better let him know when I’ll be gone.”
“Maybe you could inform your pals in the lab when you’re going as well.”
Tia swung around so quickly she clipped the edge of the desk with her knee but didn’t seem to notice. “I told you when I was leaving.”
She shook her head as Maria joined her in the doorway. That good lady also shook her head. “Oh no,” Tia cried. She looked baffled for a moment before rifling through some papers on her desk.
“What’s going on?” Jorge crowded them in the doorway.
“Tia’s about to tell us when she’s leaving,” Maria answered.
“Two weeks from today.” Jorge apparently lost interest because he wandered away.
“That’s right, I told Jorge.” Tia stopped her frantic search through the paperwork and settled back into her chair looking relieved. “See, I did tell someone.”
“Congratulations,” she said drolly. “Did you inform Aleksi?”
“Very funny. We worked out the best possible time for me to leave
together.”
“You’re still not happy about it.” There was a commiserating note in Maria’s voice.
“No.”
“At least pouts look good on her.” Helena leapt out of the swat zone. She laughed, happy to see that Tia wasn’t pouting now.
“Once you take care of your commitments in America, you’ll really be able to settle in here, Tia,” Maria soothed.
“Is that what happened for you?”
“I told Graham no initially when he proposed because I didn’t know how I could leave home and move here to marry him.” Maria reached out and caressed a hand down Tia’s slightly slumped shoulder.
“But you did.” If Vlad proposed, and that twisted her heart and stomach in an exhilarating, scary way, she wouldn’t have to leave home to be with him. But his lifestyle… Maybe she would. Was she willing to pick up everything and move with him?
She swallowed because that would entail leaving behind her family, friends, and this great job.
She finally understood what Tia faced, and what Maria had all those years ago.
“It’s doable,” Maria said firmly. “It might not be easy, but when you think of all you’re gaining, then it becomes worth it.”
“What is she gaining?” Was there actual gain, because that seemed like an awful lot to ask.
“She’s marrying the man she loves. That’s worth more than you can put a price on. You are leaving family and friends, but it sounds like they don’t mind popping in to see you whenever they can, Tia.”
Tia perked up. “That’s true. A lot of them travel so they can easily come and see me.”
“And Aleksi commands an entire fleet of airplanes. You can hop a flight, or send one for any of your family.” Maria sounded like she knew what she was talking about.
Beside her, Tia nodded. “My family are all really close. We often spend time together.” Her lips pulled down.
“Such as?” Maria prompted and she was grateful. She didn’t know how to help Tia with this. It was a huge decision to marry a man from a foreign country. Especially if that man was the prince of said country. At least Vlad wasn’t the prince. But he was a military man through and through. Would he have to move around a lot?
“We all have lake cottages where we spend time together during the summer months.”
“The de Leos’ own an island. If you wanted to ship your entire family to the island, you could.” Maria sipped some coffee from the mug in her hand.
Mmm, coffee.
“Is that the island Gracia used to hate?” Tia asked of Aleksi’s mother.
“That’s the one.” Maria’s voice was amused.
“Is she still in treatments for the lead poisoning?” The pipes that caused it had all been replaced. But Princess Gracia had needed the full contingent of treatment.
“Yes. She has another week or two before she’s finished.”
“It’s like she’s a different person.” Maria would know as she and Gracia were really good friends now. That had not been the case before Gracia’s treatments.
“Definitely,” Tia agreed.
Maria shifted in the doorway. “Okay, so, back to your schedule. You leave two weeks exactly from now?”
“Yes. I told my cousin Mark I’m leaving. He’s at a conference.”
“Have we met Mark yet?” Maria took another sip of coffee.
She really needed to make some, soon.
“No, you’d remember him if you did.” There was a smile in Tia’s tone, which her slightly homesick expression didn’t negate.
All other pertinent thoughts fled though as Vlad strolled into the lab. She didn’t need to look behind her to know he was there. All of her senses focused on him as the hair at the nape of her neck stirred.
She turned, and her eyes collided with his dark ones. It was like he reached out and snagged her. Helena didn’t even try to struggle. It wasn’t worth the undignified tussle. Instead she watched as her future walked with easy grace toward her. He paused only to say hello to Jorge before crossing the expanse of tile to halt in front of her.
He bent and kissed his mother’s cheek, before latching those wonderful lips on hers. Helena’s knees and spine melted. She had to grasp him to keep from puddling at his feet. Really, she needed far better defenses against this man. Except that she rather liked what he did to her. Those dark eyes swept over her in a proprietary manner that left her a bit more breathless.
“Hello, Vlad.” Tia smiled. A fleeting dimple popped out.
Vlad’s eyes crinkled. “My Princess.” His lips curled up when Tia’s cheeks reddened.
Behind them, Aleksi laughed and Tia leapt from her chair and hurried to the doorway. She and Maria were bottlenecked into it, but Vlad wrapped an arm around each of them and deftly removed them from the opening. Two seconds later, Tia was ensconced in Aleksi’s arms.
“When did you arrive?” Tia’s voice most definitely breathless. Her hand curved along Aleksi’s cheek.
His own hand curled around her nape and drew her close for a kiss. She turned away, because it seemed wrong to watch their little moment.
Although everything in her wanted to. Her eyes meshed with Vlad’s again, and her breath caught in her throat.
Vlad released his mother who flowed across the lab to check in with Jorge. Vlad kept an arm firmly around her though, and she was rather grateful. Standing might prove difficult with trembling knees.
She craned her neck and enjoyed staring at him. “To what do we owe this visit?”
Aleksi’s attention appeared to be solely focused on the woman in his arms but he answered the question. “We have a surprise for you.” Aleksi traced a line across Tia’s jaw and down her neck.
She didn’t seem all that interested. “Okay.” Tia leaned close to kiss him again.
“That’s the excitement I get? An okay?” An unfamiliar male voice growled and that fast, Tia launched out of Aleksi’s arms and into the unknown man’s.
“Ben! What are you doing here? When did you get here? How long can you stay?” Tia tossed out the questions at approximately eighty miles an hour.
The man she was busy squeezing was tall and lean and wore his military training well. His skin was mocha colored, his eyes brown, although not super dark like Vlad’s. He reminded her vaguely of Tia for some reason. This had to be who Tia was thinking of when she said Vlad reminded her of someone.
Tia continued to bubble over him, asking a hundred more questions before the man, Ben, gently disengaged her and passed her on to the man standing behind him. “Rex,” Tia greeted, laughing as the tall, silent man folded her close and gently squeezed her. He passed her on to another man who grabbed Tia and waltzed her around the lab.
She grinned as her boss giggled at the man’s antics. “Hi, Derek.” To give her credit, Tia didn’t miss a step.
The man who resembled Tia stepped in front of her. “You must be Helena.” He darted a knowing look at Vlad.
“I am. You must be a relation of Tia’s.”
The man grinned. “I’m her first cousin, Ben Morrison.”
“Ben and I took some training together,” Vlad explained.
Ben shot Vlad a look of utter amusement. “If you can call SEAL BUD/S ‘taking training together.’”
“I don’t.” The larger man with Ben possessed a deep and silky smooth voice. Like he could make a fortune on the radio.
“Neither do I.” The final man finished waltzing Tia around the lab and returned her to Aleksi who quickly wrapped both arms around her. “I’m Derek Shively. I’ve also gone through the same training with Welly here.” He extended a large, capable male hand.
In a bit of bemusement, she accepted it. His palm was warm, his grip firm, but not painful in the least. In fact, it was quite pleasant. The moment she released Derek’s hand, the other man offered his.
“I’m Rex Beaumont.” The man with the dreamy voice.
“I’m Helena Dubrinsky.”
Derek chortled. “Yeah, we figured that out the
second we walked into the lab.” He glanced at Vlad. “We thought you were joking.”
Vlad’s lips curled into a smile. “I wasn’t.”
“Joking?” She and Tia spoke at the same time.
Rex answered their question. “Welly mentioned you were the most beautiful woman in the world. We were all skeptical.”
Vlad’s arm tightened around her.
“I’m not the most beautiful woman in the world.” She gestured to Tia. “There’s her, and his mother.” She hooked a thumb toward Vlad. After a quick search of the lab, she located Maria. “Maria, come here.”
With the sensual flow that was Maria, that lady complied, dusting her hands off with the casual grace and sinew that was tantamount to her. “So you boys trained with my Vladimir?” Because they worked with her, Maria’s husky, throaty voice didn’t faze any of them. But all three SEALs blinked and then stared at Maria like they’d never seen a woman before.
Vlad growled but she patted him. “As you can see, there are lots of far lovelier women here than me. This is Maria Wellington, Vlad’s mother.”
Derek shot him a disgruntled look. “You’ve been hiding all these beautiful women.”
“They’re all taken.” Vlad’s arm tightened around her. “Helena is mine.”
“Caveman,” she whispered to him.
“He gets that from his father.” Maria patted her son with every evidence of pride and joy.
“And his brother,” Maks added from behind them.
She, Tia, and Maria all jumped, but none of the SEALs or Vlad did. For that matter, Aleksi hadn’t been startled, either.
“Have you boys met my brother?” Vlad made the introductions.
“Wow, you three could be triplets.” Derek glanced between the three de Leos men.
“We get that a lot.” Maks finished shaking hands with them.
“They all look like my husband,” Maria said, a hand on each of her boys, warm gaze on Aleksi.
“Welly, please tell me you have single sisters.” Derek eyed Maria.
“Two, but no way.”
“One of them is still in America, finishing her studies which she’s vague about.” Maria hooked an arm through Derek’s. As usual she charmed him without effort and soon he was dancing Maria around the lab like he had Tia.