Page 5 of Cooper

Then everything changed.

I was assigned to duty at the palace as one of the Royal Guards, and from there I applied to be a Royal Protector. They are the elite bodyguards to the royal family, and I was honored to be invited to join them. I expected a rigorous training regimen but didn’t realize I’d have to be deployed. Not just to a war zone but embedded with an American military unit.

The marines are as intimidating as they are impressive, and I didn’t want to be in Iraq for six months. I never expected to make friends while I was there, or that I’d start falling for my commanding officer.

“Good morning.” Sandor’s voice makes me jump and my eyes pop open.

“Good morning.” I nod.

“How are you?” he asks, getting on the treadmill next to mine.

“I’m good. How are the babies?” I ask. He and his wife Lennox are having twin boys, and they’re due any time now.

“They’re almost cooked,” he said, giving me a wry smile. “Hopefully they’ll be here sooner than later because Lennox is done.”

“I’m sure she’s uncomfortable,” I say, slowing down a bit. It’s hard to talk when I’m running the way I am. I’m more tired than usual today, too, which doesn’t help.

“You okay?” Sandor asks. “You don’t look so hot.”

“Didn’t sleep well,” I admit, slowing to a walk.

“I want you to talk to someone,” he says after a moment.

“What?” I ask in confusion. “Who?”

He turns assessing blue eyes on me, squinting slightly. “A therapist. We brought someone in after Logan passed, but you left for the Middle East before you had a chance. I’d like you to see her.”

“I’m fine,” I protest, shaking my head.

“I don’t think you are.” He watches me closely. “Natalia, you’ve been home a month, and you’re not settling back into civilian life. Everyone has noticed, and whether it’s because of what happened to Logan or something you saw when you were deployed, I don’t know, but we’re going to find out. You’re not sleeping, and I think you’ve lost weight, so I want you to see Dr. Saluga.”

“I don’t need to see anyone,” I protest, shaking my head even as a bit of dizziness washes over me. “I’m…fine.”

“Natalia?” He’s looking at me funny.

I pause, holding on to the sides of the treadmill and dipping my head as I try to breathe through a touch of nausea.

“Nat, come on, sit down.” He’s standing next to me, but my vision is blurry.

Dammit, why am I so dizzy?

“Come on.” Before I can protest, Sandor scoops me up and carries me out of the gym.

“Sandor…” I try to push against him, but he’s six feet six inches of steel and I’m too weak at the moment to even fake it.

“Get me some water,” Sandor yells to someone.

He puts me down on a chair and I try to get up, but my legs betray me.

“Hey, what’s going on?” One of the other Royal Protectors, Jonas Germano, comes running into the room.

“She got dizzy,” Sandor tells him, taking the bottle of water he brought. “Get me a wet cloth and call the doctor.”

“No…” I try to protest but I don’t feel well. It’s weird because I normally have a stomach of steel.

Someone presses something cool against the back of my neck, and Sandor holds out the water bottle.

“Take a sip,” he commands quietly.

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