“Um, what?”
“I’ll help you get changed and Matek will carry you to the bathroom.”
She glanced at Matek who nodded his head.
“You’re not undressing me!”
“You might get dizzy and fall,” Aric pointed out.
Sheesh.
“Am I allowed to brush my teeth myself? Pee on my own?” she asked sarcastically.
“We’d be happy to help with anything you need,” Aric teased.
At least, she hoped he was teasing.
He better be teasing.
He is. Maybe.
Before she could protest further, a nurse walked in with a smile. “Good, you’re awake. I’m just going to check your vitals before we give you any more pain relief.”
Saved. After the nurse was finished checking her vitals and she’d taken the pain relief, she gestured at her bag. “I can get dressed by myself, right? And use the bathroom alone?”
The nurse looked from her to the two men now glaring down at her. “Well, how about I help you?”
Not ideal. But better than the alternative.
“All right. You two can wait outside.” Pippa pointed at the door, summoning her work persona. She didn’t have a dominant bone in her body, but she could fake it. Maybe.
Probably not.
Both men continued to scowl at her.
“I’ll take care of her,” the nurse reassured him. “Remember that Miss Jones needs to be kept quiet and stress-free.”
Matek grunted and moved towards the door. Thank God. Aric turned his glare on the nurse. “If she gets hurt, it’s on you.”
The nurse gulped but managed a smile. “I’ll take good care of her.”
She had to admit, getting into her pajamas took more out of her than she’d thought it would. When she returned to the bed, she was shaking with exhaustion and the nurse was partially holding her up.
There was a tray of food waiting there, but she wasn’t interested in eating, she just wanted to sleep. She was barely aware of the nurse leaving until lips brushed across her forehead.
“All right, Poppet? Is there anything you need?”
“Cranky,” she muttered.
“She’s cranky?” Matek asked.
“No, I want Cranky. My crocodile. Vivi packed him.”
“I’ll get him for you, Poppet,” Aric told her.
She reminded herself to ask him why he was calling her poppet now. That was new. Then Cranky was pushed into her arms and even though she wished she had her pacifier, she didn’t ask for it.
Sleep overtook her.
* * *
“I can walk,” she protested as Matek carried her towards the back entrance of the hospital.
She’d woken up early to find something soft and slightly fluffy in her mouth. After spitting it out, she’d realized it was Cranky’s tail.
Poor Cranky, his tail had been soggy and chewed on and she’d been so embarrassed that she’d immediately stuffed him under the blankets where no one could see him.
Luckily, Matek had been asleep and Aric was busy on his phone, so she hoped neither had seen. Although she had a feeling she’d been feasting on poor Cranky for a while.
Once he realized she was awake, Aric made arrangements for them to leave the hospital before most sane people were even up and moving.
Which is how she found herself still in her pajamas, not having had time to brush her teeth, with a blanket wrapped around her.
“No.”
“Matek, I’m fine.”
She was feeling better. Although, she’d gratefully accepted the painkillers from the nurse this morning before Matek had wrapped her up and carried her out. But they hadn’t kicked in yet, so her head was thumping.
Now she was wishing she hadn’t let Aric pack up Cranky. She wanted him with her. At least Aric hadn’t mentioned his poor tail.
“No lying.”
Shoot. As he stepped outside, she realized it was still dark.
“Normal people aren’t up this early,” she muttered. “It’s barbaric.”
“Poor Poppet, once we get home you can have a nice nap,” Aric told her in a far too cheerful voice for whatever time it was.
“Don’t wanna nap. Just don’t want to be awake at the ass crack of dawn,” she muttered as Matek came to a stop beside a large, black Hummer. All of the princes had their own vehicles. This one was Matek’s. It suited him.
A driver held open the door, which surprised her as usually only Kassim used a driver. Then she caught sight of him. Happiness filled her.
“Tavi!”
His smiling face stared down at her. Gently, he brushed her hair off her face. “Hello, little one. Miss me?”
She did. Which kind of shocked her since she’d only seen him yesterday.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Good. I missed you too.”
“Let’s go,” Aric said. “She needs her rest.” Aric climbed in the back first then Tavi. She guessed Matek was driving. He very carefully handed her to Tavi then climbed in the front seat.
Tavi held her on his lap, rubbing her back gently.
“I don’t need any rest.”
“This is her being cranky,” he said to Matek, who’d climbed into the driver’s seat.
Matek nodded.
“I’m not cranky. I just don’t believe that people should be up before the sun.”
“It’s seven, poppet,” Aric said dryly as he tucked the blanket around her. Ooh, she had to admit it was nice to be fussed over.
Oh. Well. That was still early.
“Why’s it still so dark, then?” she muttered.
“Storm coming in.” Matek commented.
A storm was coming? They got some amazing storms here. She loved watching storms as long as the power didn’t go out.
“You’re too tense, little one. You’ll make your headache worse.”
“How do you know I have a headache?”
“You’re frowning and you hissed with pain when Matek handed you to me. Has she not had any painkillers?” he asked Aric.
“She did, but only about fifteen minutes ago. Have they not started working?” Aric asked her.
“No.” She tried not to sound pathetic. It was hard, but she was pretty certain she managed it.
“My poor, little one,” Tavi soothed, kissing the top of her head.
Or maybe she didn’t manage it.
But wow, this was a side to Tavi she hadn’t experienced before and she liked it.
Matek looked back at Tavi. “Seatbelt.”
“She’s fine. I’ll keep a tight hold on her. I can keep her from being jostled around more if she’s on my lap. I’ll put the seatbelt over both of us. Aric, give me a hand.”
Aric somehow managed to get the belt over the both of them. “Maybe we should get her a special seat, something that will give her added protection.”
The Hummer started up. God, she hoped she didn’t bounce around.
“Hummer is safe,” Matek told them as they started moving forward. She laid her head against Tavi’s arm, not talking as they chatted around her.
She wondered where Kassim was. She knew it was silly to feel hurt that he wasn’t here. While she spent the most time with him, she wouldn’t say she knew him the best. There was always a barrier between them. Probably because he was her boss.
Likely he was working. She knew that he didn’t suddenly stop being the ruler of Escana just because it was the weekend.
“Yeah, it’s probably the safest of all our vehicles,” Tavi mused. “But some of the other vehicles aren’t that safe. Like Aric’s Aston Martin.”
“Hey!” Aric complained. “That’s a well-made machine.”
“Not with the way you drive it. You ever heard of a speed limit?”
“But it likes going fast. It wasn’t built for slow.”
“No speeding with Pippa,” Matek barked.
Oh. That was sweet. Sheesh, these guys were going to give her cavities if they kept on this p
ath.
“I’m still looking into car seats for her,” Aric told them.
Why would she need a special car seat? Her brain was too fried for her to think that one through. Yawning, she let their voices fade away as she fell asleep.
* * *
She sighed as she felt herself being lowered onto a cloud. Oh. That was nice. She’d always wondered what it would be like to touch a cloud and now she knew. Funny, it wasn’t as cold as she’d been expecting.
“Why is she talking about clouds?” Tavi asked.
Oh, Tavi was here too. Hmm, she wondered if he’d eat her while she lay on this cloud. Wouldn’t that be fun?
“I think the question would be why she thinks you’re going to eat her,” Aric said with amusement.
“Damn, wish I could. That’s no great hardship, she tastes like the sweetest treat you’ve ever eaten.”
“You bastard,” Aric grumbled. “Now I’m fucking turned on.”
There was the sound of double slaps then both men groaned.
“What the fuck, Matek?” Aric asked.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Tavi demanded.
“Both wake her. And stop talking of eating her.”
“Why? You got a hard on too?” Aric asked slyly.
Another slap.
“Ow, fuck, fine. I’ll stop. But she started it, moaning about clouds and Tavi.”
“Yep, she was moaning my name. Don’t forget it. That’s my tongue she’s thinking about, my fingers.”
Slap!
“Fuck, Matek! That’s going to bruise,” Tavi complained. “Are those pavlovas on her pajamas? I don’t understand the pavlova obsession.”
“They’re sweet and creamy. Just like her.”
Slap!
“Matek!” Aric complained.
“You deserved that,” Tavi told him. “It was terrible.”
“I know. I’m out of sorts, all right? Seeing her like this. It hurts me. I can’t even think.”
Oh no. Poor Aric. She didn’t want him to worry about her.
“Let’s tuck her in,” Tavi said. “Kassim wants to see us in his private office. Wolfe found some footage.”
What footage?
Cranky was placed in her arms. Then a set of lips were pressed to her forehead. Another set kissed her cheek. And a final pair on her other cheek.
She frowned. That was sweet and all, but not quite where she wanted them to kiss her.
“Does she feel a bit hot to you?” Aric asked.
A large hand landed on her forehead again. “Maybe a little bit. Matek, what sort of thermometer was best?”
“Rectal.”
Her ass cheeks clenched. Oh, hell no. That wasn’t happening. Nothing was going near her butt. Nuh-uh
Sure, it’s not. Like you haven’t had fantasies about the four of them taking you together.
“If she’s still warm later, I’ll take her temperature,” Aric said.
“But we don’t have a rectal thermometer,” Tavi pointed out.
“Don’t we,” Aric mused. “Have a look in that bag. I had Jameson stock us up.”
“Oh hell, she won’t be happy when she sees this,” Tavi said in an evil voice.
Assholes.
* * *
Kassim studied the footage again. His eyes were burning. He hadn’t slept at all last night and there was a headache thumping in his head.
About three in the morning, he’d nearly caved and gone to the hospital to watch over her himself. But he’d forced himself to remain here. Going there would have achieved nothing. Not when he owed it to her to find out what had happened.
He hadn’t protected her. The woman who was the most important person in his and his brothers’ lives and he’d allowed her to be harmed.
Not again.
His need to go slow had allowed this to happen. It was unacceptable.
This was his job and he had failed her.
He looked over at Caleb, Aleki, and Wolfe. “Any thoughts on who this could be? Have we had any threats lately?”
Caleb frowned. “Nothing specifically against Pippa. She’s never been on anyone’s radar as far as threats are concerned. I’m not sure what the point of hurting her would be. None of you were with her at the time. And it’s not like hurting her would gain them anything or harm you beyond her being out of action for work for a few days. It’s odd. Maybe this has nothing to do with you and is about Pippa. Has she had any threats?”
“Not that I know of.” He looked up as his brothers entered the room. “Do you know of any reason someone might hurt Pippa?”
“Hurt her? What do you mean?” Aric asked. He stilled, his eyes widening.
“Wolfe tracked down some footage of what happened to Pippa.”
“Happened to her? You mean her tripping up and hitting her head?” Aric asked, coming close to his desk.
“She didn’t fall,” Wolfe told them. “She was attacked.”
“Attacked?” Matek rumbled.
Kassim looked over at him. “Perhaps you should go sit with Pippa, Matek.”
“Where is she?” Caleb asked. “Maybe we should ask her if she knows anyone who might want to harm her?”
“Harm. Her.”
They all stared at Matek with varying degrees of wariness.
“She is in the bridal suite,” Tavi told them.
“The bridal suite?” Wolfe asked. “Why would you put her there?”
“Oh shit,” Caleb swore. “Is there anyone else who knows? That would explain her being targeted. But why the hell was she let off the grounds without security? Why wouldn’t you tell us? We need to find a team to protect her.”
“Why would Pippa need a security team?” Wolfe asked. “I’m confused.”
“You should be used to it by now, bro,” Aleki replied, clapping Wolfe on the back. “She’s their intended bride.”
“She is?” Wolfe asked.
“I want to know why we didn’t know,” Caleb demanded, pacing back and forth. “How can we protect all of you properly if you don’t tell us these things? We’re going to need to get another team together. This can’t happen again.”
“Why did they just hurt her and not take her?” Aleki asked. “And who would do this to her? Who would know about your intentions?”
“Nobody should know,” Kassim said. “We only recently decided to woo her.”
“Woo her?” Aleki’s lips twitched and Kassim sent him a firm look. He didn’t look suitably cowed.
Kassim was losing his touch, it seemed.
“We should have been told as soon as you decided,” Caleb said.
“We hadn’t even told her yet.” Aric sent him an accusing look. “We were going slow.”
“Slow?” Caleb asked. “So slow that you couldn’t see the security risk to her?”
“This is my fault,” Kassim admitted. Not an easy thing for him or something that happened often. And the looks everyone gave him told him they all knew that. “I wanted to take things slow with her, to not scare her by bombarding her with all of us. That’s why we did not tell her yet. It is my fault she was without protection, that she was harmed.”
And there was no one more furious at him than he was.
“You couldn’t have known,” Tavi said. “No one should know about our intentions towards her.”
“They will now,” Aleki pointed out. “You rushed to the hospital to check on her. Two of you stayed overnight with her. And now you’ve settled her in the bridal suite.”
“But no one else knows officially, right?” Caleb asked.
“No. Why?”
“Maybe someone close to them guessed?” Aleki said. “And wants to stop her becoming their bride?”
“But why not just kill her?” Wolfe asked.
Kassim and his brothers glared at the other man while Aleki groaned.
“Tact, man. Use tact.”
“What?” Wolfe asked. “It’s what I would do.”
“Too public a place?” Caleb asked. “Maybe they
knew you were around and wanted to be quick? Although a bullet would have been as quick.”
“Could have been a warning?” Aleki guessed.
“To us?” Kassim queried.
“Perhaps. If someone knew. If they wanted to stop the union. If they knew where she was. If they wanted to send a warning to you. Lots of guesswork. We know nothing for certain. For all we know, this has nothing to do with the four of you.”
“Unlikely,” Wolfe muttered. “How would Pippa have an enemy? She barely goes anywhere. She has no family. Her past is clean.”
Caleb nodded. “True. We should still ask her.”
“I don’t want her upset,” Kassim told them.
“Kassim, you have to tell her about this,” Caleb warned.
He didn’t know why. This was his failing. And now it was his responsibility to fix it.
“She does not need to be worrying about this,” he said.
“Jameson said she wasn’t to be stressed,” Tavi added.
Yes. That was also a good reason. But mostly, he didn’t ever intend for Miss Jones to worry about anything, ever again, if he could help it. Their wife shouldn’t ever be stressed or scared or hurt.
His job was to protect her from all that. And if he had his way, she’d never learn about what happened.
Caleb ran his hand over his face. “Right. That makes sense. But once she’s feeling better, we’ll need to talk to her.”
“No, you don’t,” Kassim said darkly. “Nobody is to tell her about this.”
He was aware that everyone except Matek and Wolfe were giving him worried stares. Wolfe didn’t look like he cared either way. Matek was nodding. He knew he would agree with them.
“Kassim—” Tavi started to say.
“It is not her job to worry about any of this. Protection of the royal bride falls to her men. You know this.”
“Yes, in the old ways—” Aric said.
“It is our way,” Kassim said firmly. “The royal bride or wife has her own duties. To take care of us. To be there for her people. But she is sheltered. Always.”
And Miss Jones could use some sheltering.
“She won’t be happy about being kept in the dark,” Aric warned.
“It is the way it is meant to be.”
Caleb sighed. “The attack could also have been random.”
Claimed by her Daddies Page 9