“What?” She stared up at her friend. “Why would I need to do that?”
“Because he no longer exists to you,” Tavi told her. He scowled at the door. “Did you hear the way he flirted with her? I should have him kicked out of the country.”
“And his visa revoked,” Aric added.
“Stick him on a ship.” Matek rumbled. “Nice, long trip home.”
The other two grunted in agreement. She stared at them all in shock.
“What is wrong with the three of you? You are all acting crazy. What did Jameson do? He was perfectly nice.”
“Too nice,” Aric muttered.
“You were flirting with him,” Tavi said with a scowl.
“I was not. I was just talking to him.”
“She didn’t realize,” Aric said. “She’s too innocent to know. She was being friendly.”
Hey, she wasn’t certain she liked being called too innocent, it made her sound naïve. And what didn’t she know?
“She still needs a spanking,” Tavi said.
Her mouth dropped. “Tavi!”
Ouch. She wished she hadn’t said that so loudly.
“He flirted. He should pay,” Matek said, crossing his arms over his chest. Whoa, his biceps were impressive.
Okay, focus mind. Except she couldn’t get it to settle. It was all over the place and it was making her head thump worse.
“Enough,” Kassim said quietly. “Pippa needs to be kept quiet. No stress, remember? There is to be no more talk of who flirted or of punishments.”
Well, thank God for that.
The other three all nodded.
“I need to speak to Jameson,” Kassim said. “Aric and Tavi will return to the palace with me.”
“What? Why?” Tavi demanded.
“I want to stay here with Pippa,” Aric added.
Kassim sighed. “We cannot all stay. There is not enough room and that would create rumors I don’t think any of us are ready for.”
“We could move her to the royal suite,” Aric pointed out. “There’s plenty of room in there.”
“Again, rumors,” Kassim pointed out.
“Everyone who took care of her would be bound by an NDA,” Tavi said.
Kassim looked thoughtful.
“I don’t want to go to the royal suite,” she told them.
All of them looked down at her in surprise. Well, except for Matek.
“It is more secure,” Tavi added, completely ignoring her.
Hey! Not cool. She frowned.
“But it doesn’t take much for a rumor to get out,” Kassim pointed out.
“Do we really care?” Aric asked. “When we get her home, we’ll be moving her into the palace, right?”
Um, say what, now?”
“I’m not moving into the palace and I’m not staying in the royal suite.” She hadn’t even been aware there was a royal suite at the hospital, although she guessed it made sense. They would need somewhere secure to recuperate if they were injured or ill.
“Even if we move her to the royal suite, we can’t all stay. Aric, you can come back with her stuff and you or Matek will remain with her at all times. But Tavi, I need your help.”
“I don’t want to go to the royal suite and none of you need to stay,” she yelled. Then she groaned and closed her eyes, because shit, that hurt.
“Poppet, did you hurt your head?” Aric asked.
“You shouldn’t be yelling like that, naughty girl,” Tavi scolded.
“Miss Jones? Do we need the doctor?” Kassim asked.
Matek grunted then someone was gently moving her to her side. Her stomach rolled until big hands started massaging her shoulders and the back of her neck.
“She stays here,” Matek stated. “All of you go. Upsetting her.”
So the hands were Matek’s. Wow he had magical hands.
There was an amused sound from behind her. Great. Seemed she’d said that out loud.
“You think his hands are magical? Just wait until you experience my tongue,” Aric murmured.
Then there was a slapping sound and someone yelped. “Hey!”
“She’s lying, hurting on a hospital bed and you’re flirting with her,” Tavi snarled.
“What? Can I only do that in empty closets?” Aric fired back.
“Both of you, stop,” Kassim said quietly.
She kind of wished he would stay. While she adored Aric and Tavi had the power to make her insides quiver with just a look, Kassim and Matek were more soothing. With Kassim around, she felt like nothing could go wrong. And Matek stood in front of her and any perceived danger. Sure, his perception of what was dangerous might differ from hers, but still.
She felt safe.
Not that she didn’t feel that way with Tavi and Aric, but they weren’t entirely restful. If she needed entertainment or to feel sexy or happy then they were her guys. Comfort when she was sad.
“Let’s leave Miss Jones to rest. Miss Jones?” Kassim asked.
She forced her eyes open, feeling embarrassed for some reason.
Maybe because Matek has his hands on you and despite your thumping headache, it’s doing something to your insides?
“Yes, sir?” she whispered.
“Would you like Genevieve to pack up some personal items for you? Aric will bring them back, if that’s acceptable?”
“Yes, that would be great.” She didn’t want to sleep in her clothes or a scratchy hospital gown. She was feeling out-of-sorts and all she wanted was Cranky and her favorite PJs. “Sir?”
“Yes?”
“No one has to stay with me. I’ll be all right.” She kept her voice quiet. She could hear Aric and Tavi arguing about something in the corner and Matek continued to rub her back.
It felt so good. Too good.
Stupid body, stop reacting to the silent, broody, protective guy.
And the sexy, domineering guy.
And the funny, sweet, sometimes bossy guy.
And for God’s sake, you really need to stop reacting to your boss. The strong, collected leader.
This was so, so wrong.
“Someone will stay with you, Miss Jones. At all times. That’s an order from me. Understand?” Kassim was using his ultra-firm voice. She had to repress a shiver.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” He looked like he might say more but then he stopped. “I apologize for this happening to you, Miss Jones.”
Huh? Why was he apologizing?
“Are you saying you put a hex on me that made me ultra-clumsy?” she joked.
“What? No. Of course not.” He looked appalled and she felt bad for teasing him.
“Then why would you need to apologize?”
He let out a deep breath. “Because I should have moved faster.”
What did that mean? But before she could ask, he was facing away from her. “Aric, Tavi, let’s go. Matek, a word.”
Aric stepped forward as she moved carefully onto her back. “I’ll be back soon, poppet. Try not to get into any more trouble, yeah?”
Hey! She never got into trouble. Well, not much. This had been an accident. Aric kissed her forehead and was gone before she could protest though. And her forehead was burning from that short kiss.
Yikes. What would it be like if he tried to kiss her elsewhere?
Hmm . . .
Before that thought could go anywhere, Tavi stepped forward. To her shock, he lightly kissed her bandaged head then her lips. She knew she’d gone bright red. His brothers were in the room! But he didn’t seem at all concerned. “Behave. Listen to Matek. If you disobey him, he’s going to tell me and you’ll be in trouble.”
Well. That wasn’t a very nice goodbye now, was it? She was thinking she’d have to revoke his closet privileges.
Um, you should probably do that anyway.
If she was sensible, she would.
Then he leaned in to whisper to her. “You scared me. Don’t do that again.”
And before she could come up wit
h a response, he was gone too. She’d blame her concussion for her slow response times, but let’s face it that’s just the effect they had on her.
They left her speechless.
Finally, they all disappeared, leaving her alone with Matek.
“Shoot! I need to text Vivi what I need.”
“Tell me. I’ll text.” Matek brought out his phone.
“Um, can I do it? And do you have her number?”
“No. Of course.”
Huh? Oh, he’d answered her two questions.
“Why can’t I? I promise not to drop your phone.” Although now that she’d said it, she’d probably just jinxed herself.
“No screens.”
Oh, crap. “I can call?”
He watched her assessingly. “Five minutes. Then nap.”
Well, she hadn’t been planning on a big chat with her. He must have hit Vivi’s number because when he held the phone to her ear, it was ringing. She took hold of it.
“Hello? Matek?” Vivi’s voice asked breathlessly, as though she’d run for the phone.
“Vivi, it’s me.”
“Oh no, what is it? What’s wrong? Has something happened? Do you need me? I’m coming, just let me get dressed and find a driver. Wait, shit. I’m grounded. Oh well, Wolfe will just have to suck it. What right does he have to ground me, anyway?”
“Maybe because you snuck out without telling him you were leaving?” she asked dryly.
“Hey! You’re not supposed to be on his side. Girl code.”
“Sorry, you’re right. Wolfe is a monster. How dare he? He should get down on his hands and knees and worship the ground you walk on while feeding you chocolate and grapes and massaging your feet. Well, maybe not at the same time because, gross. Feet and food do not mix.”
“I’ll remember that,” a male voice said through the phone. “I should worship the ground she walks on? I should get on my hands and knees? Feed her chocolate and grapes?”
“Um, hi, Wolfe.”
Please. Someone save her.
She glanced over at Matek. He was her only hope.
“Nice chat, but I really need to speak to Vivi.”
“No.”
“Please,” she begged.
“No.”
“Wolfe! I have a head injury, I’m not supposed to be stressed.” And she was now kind of worried that Wolfe intended to murder her in her sleep.
Matek was now staring at her intently. Shoot. She tried to send him a smile to let him know everything was all right.
From his frown, she was guessing that didn’t work.
How did she get herself into these predicaments?
“Wolfe!” Vivi yelled. “Give me that phone.”
“You’re grounded.”
“So? Does that mean I can’t have my phone?”
“Yes.”
“Grr, Wolfe, if you don’t give me that phone, so help me God, I will never give you another blow job.”
“La la la la,” she started singing. Because she really didn’t want to have the image of her best friend sucking off one of her men.
Nope. Nuh-uh. Not today or any day.
“Excuse me,” Wolfe said quietly. Okay, that voice sent a chill over her skin. Before she could try to interfere in an argument that was going to end with Vivi not sitting for a week, Matek plucked the phone from her hand and moved to the other end of the room to speak to Wolfe.
She strained to hear, but these hospital rooms were ridiculously large. Then he quickly returned and handed her the phone.
“Hello?” she asked hesitantly.
“It’s me,” Vivi replied. “Matek told Wolfe you want me to grab some stuff for you?”
“Um, yeah, but not if it’s going to be a bother.”
Vivi huffed out a breath. “Don’t worry about Wolfe. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Okay, his bite is even worse, but I got it handled. I’ll just hide behind Aleki.”
“Sounds like a foolproof plan.”
“Yep. Now what do you want me to get?”
“Cranky, my pavlova pajamas, toothbrush, toothpaste, panties, change of clothes, something comfortable.”
“What about your croc slippers? And a robe?”
“Ooh yes, I have a fluffy robe. Um, I don’t think I need the slippers.”
“You need the slippers, Pip-pip,” Vivi told her sternly. “Nobody is going to care about the fact that they’re crocodiles.”
She bit her lip. It was no worse than her sleeping with a stuffed toy, although she’d planned to keep Cranky hidden under the covers.
“Need slippers,” Matek told her.
“Okay, thanks.” She glanced at Matek. “Could you give me a bit of privacy?”
“Why?”
“Girl stuff?” she said hesitantly.
He shook his head, but moved away.
“Do you think you can go into my playroom and get me my pacifier?” She couldn’t use it here, but she wanted it close by. Just in case she got really anxious.
“Of course. I’ll put it in a side pocket,” Vivi reassured her. “And I’ll pack some clothes. Sure you don’t want me to come stay with you? How long do you have to stay in there?”
“Just one night then I’ll be back. Thanks, but I’m fine. Matek is here.”
“He’s staying the night with you? Seriously?” she squealed.
“Vivi, I have a headache.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“And there’s nothing weird about it.”
She lied. It was so weird. And they’d practically argued over who got to stay with her. She wouldn’t lie, it made her feel wanted. Special.
“Sure, nothing strange about a sexy prince staying the night with you in hospital. Nope, nothing to see here people.”
“Shut up and get me my stuff.”
Vivi was still cackling in her ear as she ended the call and handed the phone back to Matek.
It was official. Everyone around her was insane. She was the only sensible one left.
“What the hell is going on? Did everyone drink some crazy juice this morning?” she muttered to herself.
“I believe it was apple juice,” Matek replied.
“Hey, now don’t go being all Wolfe on me.”
He just grinned.
Definitely drinking the crazy juice.
* * *
“Jameson!” Kassim called out to the man standing at the nurses’ station. The nurse Jameson was talking to was bright red at the doctor’s attention. Kassim glanced over at his brothers. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
They both nodded and headed out. They might argue with him in front of closed doors, with people they knew well. But not out here in public.
Jameson turned towards him.
“Ah, thought you’d be coming to talk to me.” He nodded at a door. “We can talk privately in here.”
As soon as they were inside, Kassim turned to him. “Well?”
“I’m doing good, thanks for asking.”
“Jameson,” he growled. “What happened? Did she fall and hit her head?”
Jameson sighed. “I would say no. The injury doesn’t really appear to be from a fall. But rather a blunt instrument.”
Kassim’s jaw clenched. “Somebody hit her?”
But who? Who would attack Pippa? Was it because she worked for him?
“That would be my educated guess. Hopefully, Wolfe finds some camera footage.”
Kassim nodded. “Can she fly?”
“Right now? No.”
“We were supposed to go to London on Tuesday. Will she be able to fly?”
“Normally, I’d advise against it, but since you’ll be going in your jet and she can lie down if she needs to, then I will give my okay. However, London is very different from here. Just watch for her getting overwhelmed in crowds. You’re going for work?”
“Yes, but she won’t be working. She’s taking at least a week off.” If not more.
“Staying
away from screens and stress is what will be best for her.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of her.”
“So, you all seem rather concerned about Pippa, considering she’s just your personal assistant.”
Kassim knew the other man was digging for information, that still didn’t stop him from snapping. “Pippa isn’t just anything. She’s everything.”
“That’s what I thought you might say. I’ve never seen any of you act so possessive of a woman before. Does she know that she’s the one?”
“She will. Eventually. We’re going slow.”
“Don’t go too slow or someone might snap her up right from under your nose,” Jameson said bitterly.
Hmm. Was that the reason Jameson had moved here? A woman? Kassim would have to ask Tavi. Later.
What was most pressing on his mind was who had hurt Miss Jones. Whoever they were, they were going to deeply regret it.
6
She woke up to some low voices. Opening her eyes, she looked over to see Aric talking quietly to Matek.
“Did I fall asleep?” she asked in a croaky voice.
Aric glanced over at her with a soft smile. “Hey there, poppet.”
She attempted to pull herself into a seated position, but her head thumped. Seemed the pain killers were wearing off. Matek walked over quickly, using the remote for her bed to raise the back.
Pippa gave him a tired smile of thanks.
“How you doing?” Aric asked, placing a bag on the end of the bed.
“All right.”
Aric studied her. “Uh-huh. Anyone ever told you that you’re a terrible liar?”
“Ah, yeah, pretty sure that was you.”
“Then you’d think you would learn to stop trying, huh?”
“Well, you know what they say. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” She gave him a cheeky grin.
Aric shook his head. “No lying to us. Especially not over your health.”
“My head is a little sore,” she admitted.
“When is her pain relief due?” he asked Matek.
“Twenty minutes.”
“I’ve got all your stuff. How about we get you into your pajamas and then you can get back to sleep?”
“Sounds good. Could you guys leave me alone for a moment while I get changed?”
Matek snorted.
“Yeah, nice try, Poppet. We’re not leaving you alone to do anything.”
Claimed by her Daddies Page 8