Page 18 of Cooper

I wasn’t expecting anything so blunt.

“I don’t know what choice we have,” I say softly. “I took an oath to the Royal Protectors, just like you took one to the marines. What can we do?”

“I don’t know, but there has to be a way for us to spend more time together, to figure out why this thing between us is so good.”

My phone rings, and I frown when I see Sandor’s name on the screen. “I have to take this,” I tell Cooper as I lift the phone to my ear. “Hi, what’s up?”

“Erik will be stopping in Germany to pick you up in a couple of hours,” he says brusquely. “We need you back here.”

“Today? Why? I thought I had one more day?”

“There was another attack on the palace yesterday, and Lennox went into labor in the middle of it. I’m sorry to cut your time short but we need you.”

“Is everything okay?” I feel a little lightheaded at the thought of yet another attack.

“Everything is okay now, beyond the mess, but with Lennox out of commission, we just can’t spare you. I’m sorry.”

“Of course. What time?”

“Erik will call you.”

“Thanks.” I disconnect with a sigh.

“What happened?” Cooper asks.

“There was another attack on the palace, and Lennox had the twins. Unfortunately, that means they need me back right away.”

“Today.”

I sigh. “Yes.”

“Then I’m going with you.”

SEVEN

Cooper

I’min no shape to help anybody, clean up after an attack, or much of anything else, but I can lie on a bed at the palace just as easily as I can do it here. And I’m damned if I’ll let Natalia go back there after yet another attack without me. She won’t admit it, but I know that’s a big part of the reason she’s not sleeping. She worries about her friends, and maybe there’s a touch of subconscious fear, but whatever it is I want to be there for her.

And I want to be with her.

I hate hospitals, but I’m not naive enough to think I’m just going to get back in shape after a few days of rest. I’m probably weeks away from any semblance of normal, though I won’t admit that out loud, so if I can recuperate while simultaneously spending time with the only woman to catch my eye in a long time, it’s win-win for me.

“Cooper, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Natalia pours herself a cup of coffee but doesn’t look at me.

“Why not?”

“I’m not going to have time to take care of you.”

“I don’t need a nurse, I just need rest. Maybe food.”

“Well, that’s not a problem but if there’s been another attack, I’m going to be working double shifts. Between regular duty shifts, increased security briefings, and the clean-up, I probably won’t even see you.”

“Eventually you’ll need to sleep, and we both know you sleep better with me.”

“It was one night!” Natalia protests, laughing.

“So you don’t want me there. Is that it?” I figure I’ll get to the crux of the problem by being blunt because I know she wants me. There’s something else giving her pause.

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