Bad Nerd Falling

by Grady, D. R.

  “Yes.”

  “One of them is biological, but the other three are not.” Since she had three brothers, it was only fair he had four sisters.

  “I grew up with the three who are not. A few years back I met the biological one in Kuwait. I looked KC up and met Janine, my fourth sister.” [The Corpsman and the Nerd - Book 2 - The Morrison Family Series]

  “No wonder you joined the Navy.” Aleksi’s dark eyes stayed wide. “That’s a lot of sisters.”

  “Yeah. They’re okay though.”

  “And we have so many cousins that there were plenty of boys for him to run around with.”

  “We Morrisons don’t lack for relatives.”

  “I’m packed, but you’re not.” Mark sauntered into Aleksi’s office.

  “I’m sort of packed.” To add credence to her lie, Aleksi choked on the sip of coffee he was in the process of taking.

  “That’s a great counter argument.” Mark helpfully thumped Aleksi on the back.

  “Thanks,” Aleksi wheezed. He wrapped an arm around her and tugged her close. “Go pack.”

  Not happy with the order, but understanding she needed to do so, she kissed him goodbye and took herself off to her rooms so she could figure out what to take with her and what to leave behind.

  To her credit, she had thought about this, even though she tried not to. In the end, it didn’t take all that long for her to throw the things she needed into a suitcase. She was zipping it up when Mark knocked.

  “Are you ready?”

  “No.”

  “Too bad, we need to leave for the airport soon.” He didn’t sound sympathetic at all.

  “I hate this.” She plunked onto her bed.

  “It’s not permanent.” Mark joined her.

  “It feels like it.”

  “Did you say goodbye to your lab staff?”

  “No, not yet.”

  He sent her a speaking look. “Shouldn’t you?”

  “Yes. But I’m dreading it.”

  This time his eyebrows soared. “You dread saying goodbye?”

  “No, I dread leaving them.”

  “Why?” His forehead pleated.

  “Because they have to return to the hospital and I know they don’t want to.”

  “Why do they have to return?”

  “Because like me, they have to fulfill their contractual obligations before they’re cleared to formally leave the hospital. Then they’re free to work with me in the palace lab full-time.”

  A thought occurred to her and she sent a speculative look at Mark.

  “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice,” Mark mock scolded.

  Tia giggled, as she was certain he intended.

  “What do you want, Tia?”

  “Do you know why Aleksi is in such an all fired hurry to get me out of Rurikstan for the next few weeks?”

  Mark didn’t answer at once. Tia jumped. “You know. Tell me!”

  “I don’t know for certain. But I do wonder why Ben is here. And part of his team. It occurs to me that Aleksi must be expecting the worst.”

  She gasped. “That jerk…” There wasn’t a term in the English language that described her despicable fiancé.

  Mark patted her. “Remember something. I’m guessing, and he might be too. It could very well be that this is just a training exercise for Ben and buddies and has nothing to do with terrorists.” His shrug was eloquent.

  “This is why Aleksi wants me out of the country. He more than suspects an attack,” Tia declared. She wasn’t certain how she knew, but she knew. Her perfidious fiancé wanted her out of the country and safe.

  Tia surged off the bed and stomped to the doorway. Behind her she heard Mark mutter, “Uh oh.”

  She was so angry she didn’t take the time to respond. Instead she sailed through the hallways until she reached Aleksi’s office. Tia banged on the door before she barged in. Ben and his buddies as well as Vlad Wellington were all clustered around the table set in one corner.

  Aleksi frowned as he rose. “Tia I thought you were packing.”

  She stormed across the expanse of carpet. “I was. I’m finished.”

  Ben groaned, because he knew this tone. Aleksi might suspect something but the other men in the room had to be confused. She jabbed a finger into Aleksi’s chest. “You’re anxious to get rid of me because you think there’s going to be a terrorist attack and you want me gone.” Anger and betrayal infused every word.

  To his credit, Aleksi didn’t so much as blink at her accusation. “Of course I want you out of the country.” He wrapped an arm around her and hauled her close. “If anything happened to you, I’d lose my mind. You know that. Therefore, I need you out of the country. You have to return to Hershey right now anyway. The timing is perfect.” He turned slightly confused eyes on her. Like he had no idea why she was so upset.

  “My place is not in Hershey right now,” she uttered through clenched teeth. Her hands curled into tight fists. She couldn’t believe he didn’t understand why she was so angry with him.

  “It is.” Aleksi disagreed in that unbending, steel ridden voice he rarely used, but that made even world leaders step back.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “I am not leaving you to face that alone.”

  Aleksi’s lips thinned. “Yes, you are.” Ben and his team, including Vlad, rose to flank him. An impressive show of solidarity, not to mention testosterone.

  “You’re going to be on that plane with Mark if it takes all of us to put you there.” Ben’s voice sounded very much like Aleksi’s.

  She turned her glare on her cousin. “You can’t just arbitrarily decide this.”

  “Yes we can.” Ben remained implacable, calm, and easygoing.

  She swung back to Aleksi. “What about your mother and Maria and Helena?”

  “My mother is leaving tomorrow for additional treatment in London with my aunt. They’ll be heavily guarded. Maria and Helena will be at the hospital where they will be safer with the additional security there, working out their contracts.”

  Vlad turned to her. “They have to finish at the hospital, so this is perfect timing. We’re also keeping a tight watch on everything.”

  “So I have to leave the country, but they’re allowed to stay?”

  Ben shook his head. “We’re planning to move as many women safely out of the country as possible, because this terrorist faction has a known reputation for what they do to female prisoners.”

  He didn’t have to elaborate because just the way he said it made it very obvious they weren’t caring toward those women. She hated the very thought of Maria or Helena in danger. “Can’t Maria and Helena just come with me?” She refrained from adding the since I have to go, they might as well come along although it was probably obvious.

  “That would be ideal, but they must finish at the hospital,” Vlad said quietly. “It will be much safer for them there.”

  She didn’t have to strain to hear him, yet found herself listening closely to that deep, sonorous voice. There was something a little daunting and intimidating about Vlad.

  All Aleksi and Ben had to do was threaten her with him and she’d probably do whatever they demanded. Like get on the dratted plane today with Mark. She sent a frown to Aleksi. He tightened his arm around her and she savored his nearness.

  The thought of losing him made her swallow the huge knot in her throat and drag him closer. If she could make him leave the country, she’d do the same. Only she wasn’t in that position. So she understood his reasoning behind her imminent departure, but she still didn’t like it.

  While she was off safe in Hershey, he might be killed.

  Then her eyes slid to Vlad and Ben.

  Not if they could prevent it and she realized that was why they were here.

  She stared hard at Ben before transferring her gaze to Vlad. “Don’t you dare let anything happen to him.”

  Ben’s lips curled up seconds before Vlad’s did. “That’s why we’re here, princess.”
<
br />   ***

  “How long will you be gone?” Helena stood in the lab with Maria and Jorge as they all said goodbye to Tia.

  “I wish I knew.” Tia looked pretty downcast, but that was to be expected.

  “Didn’t you say between three and eight weeks?” Jorge prompted.

  Tia started. “What? Oh, yes. I imagine it will be around three, but I can’t be certain until I actually sell my condo.”

  “We go to the hospital tomorrow, is that correct?” Like her and Jorge, Maria didn’t sound enthusiastic about that prospect.

  “Yes. Until you complete all assigned tasks.”

  “I only have a couple of those and it won’t take more than a few days to finish.” She wished she didn’t have any.

  “As soon as we’re finished we can return here, is that correct?” Jorge asked. They were all feeling a little uncertain without Tia.

  “Yes. Pop in here during the week as time allows.”

  “We’ve arranged that.” Maria kept staring at her shoes, as though she couldn’t bear to see Tia leave. She concurred.

  A lump formed in her throat. Swallowing didn’t begin to dislodge it. “This is going to be awful,” she blurted before she could censor the statement.

  Everyone paused for a moment before they all started laughing. “Yes, it is going to be awful. Although I’m hopeful it won’t take long in Hershey and I can rush back home.”

  Despite her blithe words, it didn’t sound like Tia was confident at all. She frowned. Why was that? It seemed odd.

  “We hope for the same.” Maria’s eyes sharpened as she watched Tia.

  So that meant she wasn’t the only one concerned for her. She frowned as she tried to sort out why. “Is something wrong, Tia? I mean other than you’re leaving?”

  Tia shook her head. “I’m just having a really hard time going.”

  Before any of them could answer, Mark joined them. “We have to leave now.” He glanced at the clock on the far wall. “Otherwise we’ll miss our flight.”

  “It’s Aleksi’s plane. They’ll hold it for us.”

  “We pick up a commercial flight at Heathrow, remember?”

  “Oh, that one.” All of Tia’s sparkle appeared to have been left out in the rain and rusted.

  Tia hugged them and then waved jauntily, but it was all faked. Like she was dragging her feet. They accompanied the cousins to the door where they were joined by lots of people. It looked like everyone in the palace had come to see Tia off. That must happen when you were the princess-to-be.

  She was once again heartily grateful she wasn’t Tia. In fact, she was quite thankful to be ordinary, average Helena Dubrinsky. Then her eyes settled on Vlad. Maybe she wasn’t all that normal since this man was the one she wanted. Only an insane woman would take him on. An insane, adventurous woman. How had this happened?

  Once again, Tia hugged everyone, Aleksi last, clinging to him like she never intended to let him go. Their lips connected in a scorching kiss that must have numbed her senses because Mark separated them and hauled her out to the waiting car. He waved then shoveled Tia into the car, followed her in, and they drove away.

  By the time the limo disappeared, the staff dispersed to their various tasks. Aleksi looked like he wanted to run after the limo. A wave of sympathy washed over her until she looked up and caught Vlad watching her.

  In seconds, Vlad managed to separate her from the others and somehow they found their way into a small sitting room not far from the entrance hall. Or rather, he found it and maneuvered her inside. It could be said that she didn’t argue.

  “Did you have fun last night?”

  “No.”

  He frowned and gazed down at her like he hadn’t heard her right. “You didn’t?”

  “You weren’t there for supper.”

  “I couldn’t. I had to work.”

  While that made it a little easier to bear, it was still heart-wrenching to not see him last evening.

  “Am I ever going to get used to your work hours?” She tugged him over to the flower sprigged settee since it seemed silly to stand while they talked.

  Vlad didn’t answer for a few moments. “Right now isn’t a normal business day.”

  “What’s normal?”

  “Not this. We’ll have to establish that at a later time.”

  A nasty image formed in her brain. Like how quickly Aleksi bundled Tia out of the country and the fact that there were other warriors here with Vlad. Now that she thought on it, there were more patrolling security than usual as well.

  Before those thoughts could coalesce, Vlad leaned forward and kissed her. It was effective in smashing all other thoughts.

  They spent an enjoyable few minutes on that flower sprigged sofa.

  “I need to get back to work,” he murmured against her neck.

  “So do I.”

  He bent and kissed her, hard, before he headed to the door. That quickly, without another word to her, Vlad exited the room. She was left blinking, perched on the flowery settee, wondering what in the world had just happened.

  She hoped this wasn’t what their lives were going to be like. If indeed, they had a life together. Vlad hadn’t mentioned that’s how he was thinking. He never mentioned the future.

  Stark fear and dismay spiraled through her in a nasty double helix.

  There had never been a conversation between them about their future. They only seemed to live in the present. But they did need to think about the future. They needed to discuss it. Helena didn’t want to be his long-term girlfriend. But she had never voiced what she wanted either, so it wasn’t just him who wasn’t good at communicating.

  Now the biggest question was what exactly did she want from him?

  ***

  “Would you relax?”

  “No,” Tia decided.

  “What is wrong with you?” Mark didn’t sound totally exasperated. Just a little.

  “He sent me home to Hershey to get me out of the country.” Her tone was bitter mated with despair.

  Mark nodded. “Yes, Prince Aleksi is a wise man.”

  “I should be there with him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because… he might need me.” That sounded stupid even to her own ears.

  “No, he needs to know you’re safe. That’s what he needs from you right now.” Mark’s pointed stare told her she was definitely thinking stupid.

  “I hate this.”

  “That’s perfectly normal. But right now you need to return home and take care of matters there. Your timing was perfect.” Mark sent her a speaking look. “Now that you’ll be safe in Hershey, he has the wherewithal to take care of Rurikstan.”

  “You think his attention would be divided if I was still there?” Her voice sounded really small.

  “Yes.” Absolute conviction wove through Mark’s affirmative.

  “I feel so helpless though, on my way back to Hershey, when I feel I should be with him.”

  “We just discussed this,” he reiterated patiently.

  “I know. I have to return to Hershey. It’s just that I left my heart in Rurikstan.”

  Mark’s face softened. “I’m sure you did. But you’re doing what you need to do. Aleksi needs to know you’re safe with your family right now.”

  “When can I return home?”

  He remained quiet as he stared at her.

  “What?”

  “I guess I consider Hershey home, but you don’t.”

  She nodded. “Rurikstan is now my home.” Her lower lip jutted out. “Actually, wherever Aleksi is, that’s my home.”

  “It’s amazing how that happens, isn’t it?”

  “How what happens?”

  “You meet someone and your entire world is knocked askew.”

  Mark almost sounded like he knew how that felt. Maybe he did. When his voice trailed off, Tia glanced at him. Ben had mentioned a certain woman he was interested in. A nurse practitioner he met at work.

  That reminded her of Leo’s ne
ws. “Tell me about Leo’s friend Katy.”

  He grinned. “The Morrison grapevine is as fast and reliable as ever.”

  “Yes. I’ve heard all about her and Leo.”

  “She’s a really good friend and former roommate to Trixi, a nurse practitioner at the hospital.” Her senses zoomed to high alert. So Mark was interested in this Trixi while Leo wanted Katy.

  Then she remembered what Ben said about Leo having no clue he was in love with her. “Leo doesn’t know he’s in love with Katy?”

  Mark laughed. “They were instant best friends. From the moment they met. Trixi and I have been amused by them ever since.” She guessed he had no idea how much information he gave away.

  She kept all glee out of her voice. “Sounds like it’s fun to watch.”

  “It is.” Mark nodded. “Seeing Leo in love like that is weird.”

  There was a note in Mark’s voice that prompted her to ask, “So what’s Trixi like?” It was a great question because Mark animated, at least as much as possible for a dignified neurosurgeon.

  “She’s tiny.” He measured the area just below his collarbone. “Trixi’s eyes are this silvery blue. Sort of like Ben’s Treeny, they’re… amazing.”

  Smiling, she resisted the overwhelming urge to tease him about being in love. Apparently Leo wasn’t the only de Vosse who was in love and didn’t realize it. “What color is her hair?”

  “It’s a brownish red. Mostly brown, kind of like Helena’s.”

  Ah chestnut. “It’s gorgeous then.”

  He nodded, smiling a little.

  “What’s she like?”

  Mark glanced at her like he’d forgotten she was there.

  “Sweet.”

  Of course she was. “What else?”

  “She’s one of those calm, quiet types. Trixi isn’t one to put herself forward in a crowd.”

  An image of this woman formed in her head, and she was intrigued. Really, she sounded quite charming. “Think the family will like her?”

  “Of course.”

  She grinned at his unequivocal answer. “So have the family met Katy?”

  He paused. “Not yet.”

  “What’s Katy like?”

  Despite herself, she was amazed that both de Vosse brothers had met their match so close together. “Katy is taller, and she’s got yellow curls and bright purple eyes. Leo likes to tease her that her eyes are fake.”