“A random attack? In Escana?” Aric asked.
“We can’t rule it out.”
“We need to find out who it was and why,” Kassim said darkly. “I will not have Miss Jones in danger. It is unacceptable.”
“Are you still going to London? Are you taking her with you?” Aleki asked.
“Yes, we are still going,” Kassim told him. “Jameson said she could travel and perhaps it would be good to take her away from here. I think we’ll move up our timeline, though and leave the day after tomorrow if she is up to it.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Caleb agreed. “Let’s keep the change of plans between us. We should go with you, though.”
“No, Beta team is coming. They have prepared for this. While we are away, you will look into this. And a security team for Miss Jones.”
“It’s going to take time,” Caleb warned. “How many do you want for her team?”
“At least four. I want the best.”
“We are the best,” Wolfe declared arrogantly.
“Then perhaps you three should take on responsibility for Pippa, move the Beta team up and find another team to fill the Beta spot?”
Caleb frowned. “I don’t think that’s the best idea. Let me see who I know who would be a good fit for her. While you’re away, we’ll split our time between finding her a team and her attacker.”
“I can’t believe someone hurt her. What is on this footage?” Aric asked. “Let us watch, we might see something you don’t.”
Matek made a low, grumbling noise.
“Matek, go back with Pippa in case she awakens,” Kassim ordered.
His largest brother just shook his head. Damn it. Matek always obeyed him. Except when it came to her.
Tavi walked forward and turned the laptop around so the three of them could watch the footage.
Kassim watched Matek.
“Again,” Matek said when it must have ended.
Tavi pressed a button again.
After the third time Kassim stood. “Enough. We—”
All of a sudden, the large man let out a huge roar.
Uh-oh.
“Matek,” he said, warning, standing. Matek turned towards the wall. He slammed his fist into the wall. Once. Twice.
“Matek, stop it.”
Only Kassim had a chance of stopping him when he lost it like this. It didn’t happen often, but when it did . . . well, Matek could destroy a room in quick order.
Aric reached for him and Matek flung him aside with another yell.
Fuck.
* * *
She wasn’t sure what woke her up.
Then it happened again. A loud scream that shook her from the inside out. It sounded like someone was in pain. And she just knew that she had to get to them. It was almost instinctive, knowing that whoever was screaming needed her.
Climbing from the bed, she held onto the bedside table as the room swam. Sweat broke out along her skin, but she forced herself to move.
Where was she? This wasn’t her cottage. The bed she was lying in was enormous. Seriously, she thought a rugby team might be able to lie in it and there would still be room left over. Obviously custom made. The headboard was large with beautiful carvings that she knew she would want to examine. Later.
She glanced down at her pavlova pajamas. Maybe she should look for . . . a crash made her jump then she groaned.
Ouch. Owie.
Don’t vomit. Don’t vomit.
Screw her clothing situation. She had other things to worry about. Shuffling her way around the bed, she moved towards the door. The carpet beneath her feet was absolutely lush. She thought she could lie on it and sleep comfortably.
Opening the door, she peered out into a living room. What the heck? Was she in a suite in the palace? That was kind of them, but unnecessary. She just wanted to be in her cottage.
Another roar rattled her bones.
She moved through the living room and out into a wide passage. Something sounded like it had smashed.
Damn. She hoped that wasn’t an antique. The first three months she’d worked here, she’d moved so carefully attempting not to crash into anything. Knowing her, she’d break some priceless artifact worth fifty million dollars.
Okay, so it was unlikely they kept the really expensive stuff out where anyone could just bash into it. But still . . . it was a worry.
She headed towards the noise, noticing a door was partially open just ahead of her. The thought that she might be better to keep her nosy nose out of whatever was going on did enter her mind. Then she pushed it away just as quickly.
If they didn’t want anyone to hear, then they shouldn’t be so loud, right?
Well, that was her reasoning and she was sticking to it.
Pushing the door slightly, her mouth dropped open as she took in the room. There were books and papers flung everywhere. But the mess wasn’t what caught her attention. It was the man behind it.
Matek.
He looked like he had completely lost his mind. With another yell, he smashed his fist against the wall. What was going on? What would lead the usually calm man to this? And why wasn’t anyone doing anything?
Then she noticed Kassim attempting to approach him. But Matek turned and shoved him.
Ow. Ouch. She winced. She knew how much it hurt to land on your ass like that. One winter when she was fourteen, she’d attempted to play basketball. She was certain she spent more time being knocked on her butt than anything else.
Still, her dad had stopped working long enough to come see her games.
Pippa bit at her lower lip. Should she try to do something? What if he shoved her? She wasn’t sure her head could take that. But she couldn’t leave him like that and it was obvious that none of the others were having any luck calming him down.
What makes you think you could succeed where they’ve failed?
She didn’t know, but she had to try. She stepped into the room. For a moment, no one noticed her. Then Aric turned her way.
“Pippa.”
Matek didn’t hear him and neither did Kassim, but Tavi turned a frown on her. He started walking towards her. She briefly noticed Wolfe slipping out a side door while Aleki and Caleb were trying to flank around on Matek. What were they planning? They weren’t going to attack him, were they?
“Pippa, get out of here,” Tavi ordered. “Right now.”
For a moment, she nearly obeyed him. Then Matek let out another noise. He sounded like he was in pain. No way she was leaving him like this.
“Little girl, I mean it. Leave now or you’re in trouble,” Tavi told her.
She couldn’t believe he’d just said that! And in front of everyone else. Didn’t he know she was injured? The meanie.
“Pippa, no!” Aric cried out as she walked towards Matek.
She frowned at him, moving more swiftly than was probably advisable. Although her head wasn’t feeling as sore as it had been earlier this morning.
Please don’t hurt me. Please don’t hurt me.
It wasn’t something she would normally worry about with Matek. But he obviously wasn’t himself. When she grew closer, Kassim turned, his eyes widening in alarm.
“Miss Jones, no.”
Why were they all being more bossy than normal? Well, no, that wasn’t actually true. Tavi had always been bossy. But he’d never been mean. She didn’t like it when he was mean.
Poopy head.
Nope. No. Can’t let my Little out right now. Need to adult.
When she got upset, she often went into Little headspace. She guessed it was a coping mechanism. But it wasn’t always appropriate. Like right now.
Even though Tavi was being a total poopy head.
“Miss Jones, you need to return to your room.”
Much as she would love to climb back into that soft bed, she couldn’t. Matek needed her.
“Matek,” she said. She didn’t know how she expected him to hear her.
But for some reason he seemed
to. He froze. She approached him carefully, like you might a wild bear.
Right, because you’ve dealt with so many wild bears in your life.
And if she saw one, she’d probably run the other way, screaming like a ninny. Part of her wanted to leave right now. Her hand shook as she placed it on his back.
But she wouldn’t be a coward right now. She sensed Matek needed her. And just her.
She pressed her hand to his back. “Matek, I’m here.”
Was that the right thing to say? Would it help?
A low rumble left his throat. Uh-oh, was that a good thing or not?
She snatched her hand back, but he turned suddenly, taking a step forward until he was looming over her.
“Matek,” she whispered. “What’s wrong?”
When she looked into his eyes they were filled with pure rage. There was no sign of the man she knew. Then he closed them, his face pained. She attempted to touch his chest again. She was aware of how tense everyone else was. And she worried that she was making a horrible mistake.
Go with your gut, Pippa.
That’s what her father had always told her. Of course, he probably hadn’t been envisioning this sort of scenario when he’d given that advice. Not much could prepare you for the current situation she found herself in.
“Matek? Come with me?”
She held out her hand. He shook his head. Disappointment flooded her. Then he bent down and slipped an arm under her ass, drawing her up against his chest with her feet dangling in the air.
“Easy, Matek,” Kassim said quietly. “Remember her head.”
Matek made a low, rumbling noise. But instead of sounding threatening, it was almost soothing.
Turning, he walked with her out of the room.
7
So today had been interesting.
It had started with her making a batch of vegemite and cheese cupcakes. They weren’t too bad until you added a lemon cheesecake frosting. Then they became kind of gross. But that was her mood.
She was stressed.
Then she’d dealt with Satan’s bride. Gone bouncing with her bestie. Hurt her head. Ended up in hospital with Dr. Hottie. The princes.
Then there was now.
She was lying back on the cloud bed, where Matek had carried her and was currently wrapped around her. He’d pulled up her pajama top until it was bunched under her loose breasts and had his face pressed to her tummy.
Just a bit lower and his face would be in her pussy.
Don’t react. Don’t react.
Yeah, right. How could she not react? She had a hot guy in bed with her, pressed to her half-naked body.
And not just any hot guy. One of the guys she had a crush on. She was lying back on a pile of pillows and running her fingers through his hair. She didn’t know what the heck was going on, but she wanted to soothe him. Needed to.
And it seemed to be working. Well, he hadn’t said anything yet, but at least he wasn’t hulking out.
The door opened and she managed to slowly turn her head to see Kassim walk in, followed by Aric and Tavi.
They all stopped as they took in the sight of them.
She attempted to pull up the blankets to cover herself more, but Matek was lying on them. Kassim took pity on her and found another duvet in the closet, placing it over her and Matek. She sent him a grateful smile.
“Is he asleep?” Tavi asked. “With his face on your stomach?”
“Wish I was asleep with my head on her belly,” Aric commented. “Or between her legs.”
She gaped at him.
“Aric,” Kassim growled while Tavi slapped the back of Aric’s head.
“What? Like we weren’t all thinking it.”
She blushed.
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Kassim said, coming closer. “Usually when he gets into a rage, I’m the only one that has a chance of getting through to him. But he was too far gone to even know who I was.” He stared down at her. “You got through to him, though.” There was amazement and something else on his face.
Something that felt like possession. But that was crazy, right?
“Does this happen often?” she asked, worried for Matek if that was the case.
“No,” Aric said, coming to sit on the bed next to her, facing her. “Just when someone he cares about is threatened.”
What did that mean?
“One of you was threatened?” she asked.
“Not us,” Tavi said.
Kassim shot him a look. What was that about? Someone else was threatened? Who could that be? Oh, please don’t let it be Satan’s bride. She didn’t know if she could stand to know that Matek cared about that bitch.
Then again, would he have his face pressed to her bare tummy if he did?
She yawned. How could she be tired again? This was ridiculous.
“Is he all right? Is he too heavy for you?” Kassim asked. “We could attempt to move him.”
“No,” she snapped. “He’s fine.”
Kassim’s eyebrows rose.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you, sir. I’m just tired and my head hurts.”
Good one, Pippa.
Kassim just nodded, though. Then he took in the room tiredly. “One of us should stay here with Matek and Pippa to make certain he is all right.”
“I’ll look after him,” she told him.
Poor Kassim, he looked so tired. Had he even gotten any sleep?
Kassim sent her a warm smile. “I’m sure you will. But who will look after you?”
She blushed. His tone of voice was soft and velvety. Intimate.
Quit it.
“I’m fine.”
“Well, to make sure you are definitely fine, someone will stay with you as well.”
Why don’t you all stay?
She bit her lip to stop herself from saying that, though. Of course, they didn’t all want to stay.
“I’ll stay,” Aric and Tavi said together. They glared at each other.
“You stayed with her all night,” Tavi said. “It’s my turn.”
“She’s not some toy,” Aric told him.
Kassim sighed and pinched the top of his nose.
“Sir? Are you all right? Do you have a headache? I should have some painkillers from the hospital around here somewhere.” If she could get up, she’d find them for him.
He gave her a surprised look then the tension seemed to seep out of him. “Thank you, Miss Jones. But all I need is some sleep. But do you need anything? Medication?”
“I’ll check what her medication says.” Aric searched through a paper bag that had come with them from the hospital. “Here they are. There are oral tablets and suppositories.”
She gaped at him. “There are not suppositories in there!”
“Oh, there totally are. I’d be happy to help.”
Her cheeks blushed bright red. “Aric!”
After deciding that it wasn’t time for more medication, Kassim and Tavi left her with Matek and Aric once more. Tavi kissed her forehead, while Kassim just stared at her. She thought there might have been a spark of interest in his eyes, but she was pretty certain it was wishful thinking. Especially when he didn’t touch her.
Hopefully, they were all off to get some sleep, Kassim especially.
“I don’t know why I’m so tired,” she complained, her eyes growing heavy.
“Hospitals aren’t restful places,” Aric told her as he drew over an armchair. “And you were woken up several times by the nurse. Plus, you’re healing.” He yawned.
“You should try to sleep,” she told him. But how could he do that comfortably in that chair? She glanced around at the huge, comfy bed. “Come lie down.” She patted the other side of the mattress.
Aric raised his eyebrows. “You sure?”
“I trust you to behave yourself.”
“Silly you,” he teased as he walked around and climbed in next to her.
“Well, I know I’m irresistible,” she murmured.
“You are definitely that, poppet.”
* * *
When she woke up, there was a face inches from hers. Unique, pale blue eyes gazed down at her intently.
“Good morning, Matek,” she said in a calmer voice than she thought she’d manage considering her heart was pounding.
Grunt.
Okay. He wasn’t feeling talkative.
Umm, when is he feeling talkative?
“Are you feeling all right?” She wished he would back off a bit. She still hadn’t had a chance to brush her teeth. And she really needed to pee. Desperately.
Outside the wind whistled, seemed that storm was settling in.
A nod.
“Did you sleep all right?”
Another grunt.
Amusement filled her. It wasn’t every day you found yourself waking up to a giant in your face, grunting his answers.
“Right, you might need to give me a way of interpreting that. Is it one grunt for yes, two for no? Or is there some other way to decipher your meaning?”
He sighed. “Yes.”
Right. Well, that was better than the grunting, she guessed.
“That’s good. I’m glad.” Should she ask him about what happened earlier? But she didn’t want to embarrass him.
Although it could be good if he eased back a bit and gave her some space.
“Well, I’m just going to go use the bathroom.” She attempted to slide away from him, but he put his arm over her, blocking her way.
Where had Aric disappeared to anyway?
“Matek, I need to use the bathroom.” She could feel herself blushing.
Curse you, pale skin.
The door opened before he could say anything and she turned her head with a wince, eyebrows rising as Aric walked in, carrying a tray. Tavi was behind him.
“You’re awake,” Aric said cheerfully. “Tavi, she’s awake.”
“I can see that,” Tavi said dryly, watching her carefully. His gaze moved to Matek. “You gonna ease up? Give her a bit of space?”
Yes, please.
“No.”
“Matek, you can’t loom over her like some crazy person,” Aric said as he walked over. “You’re gonna make her think you’re not all there. I mean, you aren’t all there, but don’t let the pretty girl see that.”
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