“Yes.”
Except he didn’t speed up. All right, so he’d taken that question literally. Her bad.
“Will you walk faster?” she asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Hurt you.”
Oh, that was really sweet.
“Matek!”
Drat. That was Kassim’s powerful voice. Around them, all the chatter had stopped. Nurses had frozen and were staring at her being carried in Prince Matek’s arms. Yeah, this might not have been her brightest idea. There was no way that people weren’t going to talk.
“Matek, where are you going? Why are you carrying Miss Jones?” Kassim demanded.
Matek turned and she stared guiltily up at Kassim. He didn’t look at her, though, his gaze was all for his brother.
Hurt filled her. Didn’t he want to check on her? Ask if she was all right? She’d worked for him for over a year now. She’d have thought she at least warranted a glance and a check in.
“Home,” Matek said.
“She can’t go home,” Kassim replied. “She’s under hospital care. You need to take her back to her bed.”
“She wants to.”
“That doesn’t matter. She needs medical care. Please put her back.”
Matek nodded. She wanted to protest as he carried her back into the room. But she didn’t want to make a scene. Especially not with Kassim here. They passed a concerned looking Aric and in the room, Tavi stood with the phone to his ear.
“I understand. I have to go. She’s here.” He ended the call as Matek came to stand beside the bed. She expected him to set her down. But he stood there, holding her.
Kassim shut the door behind them. Now there was just the four of them and her in the room. Where were Wolfe and Vivi? Or the nurse? She could really use some estrogen in here right now.
“Matek, you need to put her down,” Kassim said firmly.
“Why the hell did he take her in the first place?” Tavi asked, sounding aggravated. He glanced at her, his hazel eyes worried. “Are you all right, little one? What happened? Did you fall? Hit your head?”
The questions were fired at her in quick succession.
“Easy,” Kassim cautioned. “One thing at a time. Matek, put her down.”
“She cried.”
“She cried?” Aric asked, running his fingers through his hair that he’d somehow managed to get back to its original color already. “That’s why you were carrying her out of here?”
“She wants to go home and she cried.”
Okay. So he could talk in full sentences. That was kind of a shock.
“Right. I understand now.” Kassim ran a hand over his face, looking surprisingly tired and stressed. Kassim never looked anything but put-together and calm.
“Sir? Is everything okay?” she asked.
“No. Of course everything isn’t okay.”
Oh no. What happened? Was it something she’d forgotten to do? Or was he worried that she wouldn’t be at work tomorrow? Or maybe it wasn’t anything to do with her at all.
“What happened? Can I help?”
His mouth opened, closed. It was the most discombobulated she’d ever seen him and a tight ball of worry formed in her stomach. Out of all of them, Kassim was a rock. Steady, unwavering, never changing.
“I . . . I . . .”
“Whatever it is, I can help. I mean, if you want me to. Do you need me to work through the weekend?”
He said something in his native language. Escana had two official languages, Escanaian and English. She didn’t know much Escanaian, however she was pretty sure he’d just sworn.
Then he turned around, giving her his back. Hurt stabbed deep and she took in a sharp breath. Matek set her down on the bed, just adding to her feeling of being rejected.
“I want to be alone,” she stated.
Did she want to be alone? She didn’t know, she just didn’t want to feel this hurt. She was already feeling vulnerable, she was in pain, and they were all acting odd.
She didn’t understand what was going on.
“We’re not leaving you,” Tavi told her gently, stepping forward.
“I’m f-fine. There’s p-probably other things y-you need to d-do.”
Things that were more important than being here with her.
“She’s crying,” Matek stated.
“We can see that, brother,” Aric replied. “Please don’t cry. None of us likes your tears, but Matek really will start to tear this place up if you don’t stop.”
She sniffed and rubbed her eyes on her sleeve.
“And none of us have anything more important to do than be here,” Tavi added.
What? Now she knew he was having her on. Or maybe Tavi felt that way, but not the others. Not Kassim.
“I am going to find her physician,” Kassim stated. “I will be back soon. She is not to leave the bed.”
They were all silent as Kassim left.
She sucked in a hurt breath. Had he even looked at her?
“Why is he mad at me? Did I interrupt something? He didn’t have to come down here. How did you all know? Did Wolfe call you?”
Would Wolfe do that? Huh, more than likely.
“Yes, Wolfe called us. And Kassim isn’t angry at you, little one,” Tavi said. He took hold of her hand, squeezing it lightly. “He’s worried about you. And he’s starting to see the error of his ways.”
“If he’s angry at anyone, it’s himself,” Aric added.
“What does that mean? I don’t understand.” She was so bewildered by what was happening. Why were they even here?
“I think Kassim should explain that,” Tavi told her. “We can’t make excuses for each other. Or try to explain the others’ actions.”
What did that mean?
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Have they given you pain relief?” Aric fussed over her, while Tavi took her pulse.
“Her pulse is fast,” he said before she could answer.
“Fever?” Matek asked.
“Not sure,” Tavi replied after putting the back of his hand over her forehead.
What was going on?
“Since when do you play doctor?” she asked him.
He leaned over her. “Never played doctor before, but if that’s a fantasy of yours, I’d be happy to act it out. I have no problems with a very in-depth exam.”
He did not just say that.
“Holy hotness, Batman,” she muttered to herself.
“Tavi!” Aric practically growled, making her stare at him in surprise. Aric was usually the easygoing one. Unless you dyed him green, that was.
“Could be some hormonal changes,” she muttered.
“What?” Aric asked. “You’re going through a hormonal change? Is that normal at your age? Matek?”
“On it.” Matek had out his phone. Wait. Was he looking up female hormonal changes?
Help her. Someone.
“Is there a thermometer around here?” Tavi asked. “I want to take her temperature.”
“Is it normal to have a fever with a head injury?” Aric asked. “Matek?”
“On it.”
Okay, she couldn’t keep up with them. They’d all lost their minds.
“Is this a thermometer?” Aric held up a long, thin glass object wrapped in plastic packaging.
Where had he found that? And it better not be what she thought it was.
“Not what I was thinking of,” Tavi told him. “But it might be better. I wonder what sort of thermometer is more accurate. Matek?”
“On it.”
“Wait. What? Is that a . . . Matek! Don’t you dare look up what thermometers are best! I don’t care what are best. The only one coming near me is the one that goes in your ear or on your forehead.”
“Now, now, little one,” Tavi replied with a grin. “If an anal thermometer is best . . .”
“Rectal, they’re called rectal thermometers. And it’s still not going anywhere near me, you sadist.”
A throat clearing had them all turning to find Kassim standing there. With a very nice-looking, blond doctor.
Just kill her now. Although, it didn’t matter actually since she was seconds away from dying of embarrassment.
“Your majesties,” he greeted them all with a small bow. That was odd. She’d never seen anyone bow to them. He also had an English accent. Which was seriously hot.
“Oh, stick it, Jameson,” Tavi replied rudely
Her eyes widened. That was incredibly rude.
But the doctor just threw back his head and laughed.
“Don’t worry about them, poppet,” Aric told her. “They went to University together at Cambridge.”
“Nobody else would be friends with him,” Tavi muttered.
“Nice to meet you,” she said politely.
Jameson turned a charming smile on her. Holy hotness, Batman. She might need to learn how to breathe again.
“And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Pippa. Even under these circumstances. Of course, even with a bandage on your head, you still look ravishing.”
“His feet always stunk,” Tavi added.
“Dude, way to ruin my game.”
“You have no game here,” Aric warned.
Matek just grunted and got between her and the doctor. What was going on?
“Ahh, I see.” Jameson sighed. “Too bad. My loss.”
“Yep,” Aric told him. “So keep your lines to yourself.”
“Right, well, can I see my patient now?” Jameson asked.
“Matek, you can move,” Tavi finally said.
Matek shook his head.
Tavi didn’t say anything more and neither did anyone else. She guessed it was up to her to be the sane one.
“Please move, Matek,” she said softly.
He looked back at her with a frown.
“He’s not going to hurt me and if getting an examination means I can get out of here, then let’s do it.”
“I’m crushed that you’re so eager to get away from me,” Jameson said.
Matek snarled.
“Not helping here, Doc,” she told him.
“Right. Sure. I promise, I only have very professional thoughts toward my patient, your Majesty.”
Finally, Matek moved. Kassim was standing next to the doctor. Why hadn’t he said anything to Matek? He would listen to him. Instead, he was frowning and staring off at the wall. His jaw was clenched. Worry filled her. What was going on? She didn’t say anything, though, not wanting to ask in front of Jameson. She knew that Kassim was very private.
Well, as private as the ruler of a small country could be.
Jameson shone a light in her eyes and asked her several questions before checking the wound on her forehead.
“And you don’t remember how this happened?” he asked her.
“No. It’s all blank.”
“Is that normal?” Aric asked.
“With a mild concussion it can be possible to not remember what happened in the short space of time before the injury occurs,” Jameson reassured them.
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “So I’m okay? It’s just a mild concussion?”
“Yes, your forehead has several stitches. They need to be kept dry for a week. So you will have to be careful while showering, especially washing your hair. With a concussion, we recommend that you keep quiet for a few days. No screens, no loud noises, crowded places. Peace and quiet is the best idea. No nightclubs this weekend.” He winked at her.
“Yeah, that wasn’t happening anyway.” She had no social life other than what Vivi dragged her along to do.
“How do you think she got the injury?” Aric asked. “Do you think she fainted and fell? Could there be something else wrong?”
Jameson glanced over at Tavi then to Kassim. “I’m not certain. Where she fell, are there any cameras?”
“Why? What’s going on?” she asked worriedly. “Why would it matter if there were cameras? No one needs to see me trip over my big feet and fall on my head.”
“Is that what you think happened?” Jameson asked her.
“I don’t know. I think it’s most likely what happened.”
“What do we need to know to care for her, Jameson?” Kassim asked.
Wait. That sounded like they were going to look after her. That wasn’t necessary. Also, it wasn’t happening. But maybe he was asking so they could get things moving here. Maybe he had somewhere to be. Perhaps a hot date with Satan’s bride.
“Does she need to stay overnight?” Tavi asked.
“Since she lives alone I was going to suggest that she remain here for two nights.”
Wait. Two nights in hospital for a mild concussion and some stitches? When her appendix had erupted and she’d gotten an infection, she’d only been in for three nights before being kicked out and she hadn’t even been able to walk. Believe her, it hadn’t been any fun trying to recover with a father who worked constantly and no one to help her do something simple like take a shower or make some food. She’d basically lived on crackers and used wet wipes for a week. It hadn’t been pretty but it had done the job.
“I’m not staying in here,” she said quickly.
“You will do whatever the doctor says you are to do,” Kassim said firmly.
And this time, he looked at her. Straight at her. And there was something in his gaze. Something dark that she couldn’t quite read. Was it anger? At her?
“I don’t really need to be here, right, doctor?” She gave him a smile. Surely he was being overly cautious. Maybe because the princes were here, he thought that he had to go overboard. They were acting kind of weird so she couldn’t blame him.
“If I don’t think you have the proper care at home then you’re staying here,” the doctor said firmly.
What the heck? What was wrong with everyone today?
“But nobody has to stay in hospital for a mild concussion,” she protested.
“This is nonnegotiable. I don’t want you going home alone,” the doctor told her. “You might have a dizzy spell and fall, which will hurt your head further.”
Shoot. She hated that he made sense. She sighed. Seemed like she was staying here for the night at least.
“Has anyone seen my handbag?” she asked.
“Why?” Aric asked.
“You were just told no screens.” Tavi crossed his arms over his chest, giving her that look. The one that told her she was about to be spanked. Her ass tingled.
“I need to call Vivi and ask if she’ll bring me some things.”
“She only has to stay if she doesn’t have care at home?” Kassim asked.
“Hmm, well, it’s getting late. I’d like her to stay tonight. Then tomorrow she can go home if she has someone to watch over her. They need to make sure she keeps quiet, is well-hydrated, and eats something. Also, baths only for a few days. And absolutely no stress, understand? That will be the worst thing at the moment. Trying to think too much.”
“In other words, I’m going to be bored shitless.”
Oh whoops. Did she just say that? Kassim gaped at her. Aric grinned. Tavi bit his lip as his eyes danced. Matek appeared to be the same as always.
She was starting to think about calling him the Rock. Wait, no that was the nickname for that actor. The Barn. Hmm, no that wasn’t very sexy.
Wait. Did it have to be sexy?
This is Matek. Of course it has to be sexy.
Suddenly, she realized that everyone was staring at her.
“I didn’t say that out loud, did I?”
“Say what exactly?” Aric asked, still grinning. “Please, enlighten us.”
She went to shake her head then winced. “Ouch.” She closed her eyes, trying to breathe her way through the pain without throwing up.
“What is it?” Kassim asked
“What’s wrong?” Tavi demanded.
“What hurts?” Aric said.
“She’s crying,” Matek stated.
Damn it, all the question
s at once kind of overwhelmed her. She took a long, slow breath in to calm the nausea in her stomach.
“This is what I mean about no stress. You’re bombarding her. She needs quiet.”
She opened her eyes, aware that there were tears dripping down her cheeks. Everyone was staring at her in concern.
“I’m okay,” she croaked. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” Matek said fiercely.
She stared up at him. Then she reached out a hand for his, needing to give him comfort. She didn’t like seeing him upset. He grasped hold, squeezing her hand lightly. “I’m all right, big guy. I’ll spend a couple of nights here and be right as rain.”
“No.”
“Umm. No?”
“You don’t want to stay here.”
Well, no. What choice did she have, though? It wasn’t like she had anyone to help her. Vivi would offer, but she knew that her men wouldn’t want her staying away from them. And she wasn’t moving in with them.
No, thank you.
“If we promise no stress and to take care of her for the next few days, can she come home with us?” Kassim asked.
Wait. What? Was he serious?
“You’ll make sure one of you is always around?” Jameson asked, looking as surprised as she felt.
Why would they offer to take care of her?
“Yes, of course.”
“Stay the rest of the night and in the morning, I’ll reassess but I don’t see a problem with that if Miss Pippa doesn’t. Is that all right with you, Miss Pippa? I mean, we do have some very delicious pudding cups that have just arrived in.”
“Pudding cups?” That sounded interesting.
“No pudding cups,” Kassim told her. “You don’t need sugar. You need something healthy.”
“But he’s a doctor and he just said I could have pudding cups.”
“A pudding cup never hurt anyone,” Jameson told her with a wink. “I prescribe one a day while she’s down and out. Just to keep spirits up. That’s half the battle.”
She smiled back at him. “I like your style, Doc.”
“Out,” Matek barked, stepping towards Jameson.
“I’ll just update your chart,” Jameson said as he was practically steamrolled out the door. “Nice to meet you, Pippa.”
“You too, Jameson.”
“You’re going to forget you ever met that dick,” Aric said immediately.
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