Bad Nerd Falling (41 page)

It must have been connected to a
database because soon a woman’s face and name, and then a lot of
information about her popped up.

The name under the even clearer
picture on Rex’s screen did not read Anna Barstow. “Look at that.”
Derek didn’t sound surprised.

Ben stood. “We need to return to the
command center.”

The other men nodded.

They looked at her and then at Vlad.
“I’m home and I have an alarm system. I promise to stay here and
not go anywhere.”

Vlad looked like he wanted to argue,
but they didn’t know that she was the actual target.

He fished his phone out of his pocket
and placed a call. “When are you going to be home?

“
Right. Don’t keep my
little sister out too long. No, she’s staying with our parents and
that’s a good thing. She’ll be safe with them.

“
Yeah, we have to return
to work.” He turned to stare at her. “Helena says she’s fine and
will set her alarm and stay in. She seems to think she’ll be safe.”
He nodded at whatever Beau said. He ended the call and looked at
her.

“
He said with your
security system on, you should be fine. He and Molly are nearly
finished.”

She gasped. “Don’t make them break up
their date for me.”

“
Both of them happen to
feel your safety is more important.” He must have read her
expression because a faint smile creased his lips. “Molly has plans
with our mother for later this evening.”

“
Did Beau know
that?”

“
How should I
know?”

It was such a masculine response that
her lips twitched. He sounded exactly like her father, Beau, or
Emerson.

“
I’ll be fine if you need
to leave.” There were plenty of people around if she needed
help.

Vlad glanced at Ben who nodded. She
almost missed the exchange. But figured he and the other men on his
team had already checked out her security system.

Beau installed it, so it must be
excellent.

“
Don’t open the door to
anyone you’re concerned about,” Vlad ordered. He glanced at Rex’s
computer. “Especially not anyone from your hospital
lab.”

She nodded. “I won’t.”

Her guests left as quickly as they
came. Her kitchen was spotless. But there was still a pile of
laundry in her hamper. She sighed.

Laundry vs Vlad. There was no question as to
which one she’d rather be spending the evening with.

Chapter 31

Two mornings later, she admitted it
was rather nice to have clean laundry. Still, she would have
enjoyed spending that time with Vlad. Work kept him from her last
evening as well.

Yesterday had been a fast paced day at
the hospital, thankfully, but she was more than ready to leave. And
spend a lot more time with Vlad. Other than him taking her to and
from work she didn’t see him. He made a very obvious presence when
he escorted her into the lab yesterday morning. Still, she wanted
actual time with him.

On her way to the kitchen, he pounded
on the front door. She detoured to open it for him. Once she swung
the door to admit him, she noticed his set jaw.

“
Never answer your door
without verifying who it is,” he ordered. It wasn’t the first time
he lectured her on this.

She sent him a baleful
look. “There’s only one person who knocks like you.” She paused for
a heartbeat. “
You
.”

Then she turned and entered the
kitchen where she started to assemble breakfast.

“
Did DuBois come see you
last night?”

“
He did and I finally
remembered to give him the rest of the Rurikstani
dessert.”

“
We would have happily
cleaned it up. The guys really enjoyed their meal with us the other
night.”

“
I enjoyed having them
here.” Surprisingly she did. Vlad was comfortable with them and
that made her happy.

After she finished toasting the
bagels, she handed him milk and juice and wasn’t surprised when
Beau knocked once and then used his key.

“
I smelled bagels.” He
nodded to Vlad before heading for the coffee pot. It had just
finished brewing and he took down three mugs and poured them before
seating himself at the table.

Vlad followed him after making certain
she had everything they needed.

Beau stared at Vlad. “What did you
find out?”

“
You know the woman who
calls herself Anna Barstow is not?”

“
Yeah, you mentioned that
the other night.”

She passed the plate of bagels around,
followed by what they traditionally put on them which was a creamed
cheese, only different than the American version. At least that’s
what Beau told her.

He must like it because he never
missed bagel morning.

“
Good. We’re still working
to figure this out.”

It was obvious Vlad wasn’t prepared to
say anything more on the subject.

“
So what am I supposed to
do at work?” Her voice was tart.

Vlad allowed a small smile. “You need
to be as careful as possible. Avoid her if you can, but don’t be
rude.”

“
Is she
dangerous?”

“
Until further notice,
yes.”

Beau finished his bagel half before he
centered his attention on Vlad. “What about the rest of the lab
staff?”

“
There are a couple of
others we’re checking. Four of them appear to be who they say they
are.”

How she was supposed to get through
the day today with what felt like a large target on her back. They
finished breakfast all too soon. Vlad ushered her out the door
before she was ready. Misgivings and Vlad accompanied her to the
hospital.

Vlad kissed her at the entrance. “My
dad asked that you meet him first thing.”

“
Okay,” she answered,
breathless from his kiss and left wanting far more.

Instead, she turned to enter the
building, the misgivings still with her. When she knocked on
Graham’s office door, since the receptionist hadn’t arrived yet,
she was bidden to enter.

Aleksi was there as well as Graham and
Maria. Jorge trailed in behind her. She was so happy to see them,
she hugged everyone. Maria clung to her just a little and she clung
back. Jorge didn’t cling, but it was apparent he was missing them.
The three of them dropped into chairs that were pushed close
together. None of them made space between their chairs.

Maria held her hand, and she was very
grateful.

Their prince took in their postures
and the apprehension on their faces and smiled. “I just wanted to
inform the three of you that Tia arrived safely in Hershey. She is
nearly finished at her job and Ben’s sister has expressed interest
in buying her condo. Tia should be home in two weeks.”

Her heart beating a little too fast
she was afraid to hope. “What does that mean?”

“
It means that the three
of you need to fulfill your hospital contracts so you are available
to work in the palace lab.”

Graham stood and joined Aleksi in
front of his desk. “I know Maria has hated every minute of being
back here. I imagine you Jorge, and Helena, are also
struggling?”

Both she and Jorge nodded.

“
Have you been training
the people who replaced you?”

No one spoke. She cleared her throat.
“As far as I can tell, no one has replaced me. There are four new
faces in my lab, but there should be five.”

With a frown, Graham picked up a file
on his desk and perused the front page. “Yes, it looks like with
budget cuts, they elected not to replace you. One of the projects
in that lab got canceled while another was slashed in half.
Everyone else was alloted one of your tasks. Perhaps you could ask
if anyone requires additional training?”

Even though she cringed at the very
thought, she nodded. “I can do that.” And she would. Her stomach
twisted and nausea clawed, but she kept her promises.

Graham moved on to Maria. “You are
finished training your replacement?”

“
Yes, we have a bit more
to do today. My projects are nearly completed.” Maria sounded
relieved.

He nodded and turned to Jorge. “What
of yours?”

Jorge sighed. “My replacement was
hired only recently and hasn’t any lab experience. I’m in full
training with him, trying to also complete my projects as I go. It
could be another week before I finish.”

She shuddered for him. The two days
she already spent in her lab were plenty.

“
Take as long as you need,
but don’t babysit this kid.”

“
Thank you,” Jorge said in
heartfelt tones.

Graham nodded and then turned back to
her. “Helena, if no one needs your help, and you can finish up
today, you’re cleared to return to the palace lab
tomorrow.”

Hope burst through her as she gaped
for a moment at Graham. “Thank you,” she finally managed as though
she’d been released from a long prison sentence. For some reason,
Aleksi’s mouth thinned and his demeanor shifted into grim
territory, but the conversation kept on so she brushed her unease
away.

“
Someone needs to keep
track of the palace lab, correct?”

“
Yes.” It was her turn to
pop in today, but since she’d be there permanently tomorrow, she
didn’t need to.

“
Since your position
wasn’t filled, you have the most leniency to leave.” He passed out
paperwork for them to sign, which they did and returned their
nearly completed contracts. It loosened the knot in her stomach
knowing she was close to being free.

They spoke for a few minutes longer,
with Aleksi offering more details on Tia. It made her happy to
think about her boss soon coming home. Not that she really thought
of Tia as a boss. She was far more a friend.

Turning to Maria, she asked, “How soon
will you be back in the lab?”

“
Two days,
tops.”

That meant she might have one day on
her own, and she could handle that. “Thank goodness.” She turned to
Jorge. “Hurry.”

He nodded and patted her arm. After
they said goodbye to Graham and Aleksi, the three of them hugged
again and were obviously much relieved and happy as they walked as
far as they could together before separating.

The minute she walked into the lab,
all seven pairs of eyes fastened on her with various expressions.
At least four of them were with dislike, the other three pairs were
more neutral, although interested. They were all seated around the
main lab bench, obviously waiting for a lab meeting to
start.

“
You’re late,” the head
jerk stated. The paperwork in front of him was to write her
up.

She stepped forward and snatched up
the papers. With relish, she ripped them in half twice before
handing them back.

“
Just because you’ve got a
scary boyfriend doesn’t mean you get special favors.”

“
Maybe, as the
supervisor
, you should
ask
why
I’m
late,” she retorted, staring him down. She would have never done
this in the past but she stood her ground now.

The door behind her opened and Graham
poked his head in. “Frederic, Helena had an early morning meeting
with me and Prince Aleksi. That’s why she’s late.”

Since it was their hospital director
stating this, there was nothing the head jerk could do. “Thank you
for explaining, Director.”

“
Thank you,” she also
added to Graham, smiling at him because she had always liked this
man and in the back of her mind, already thought of him as her
father-in-law.

His return smile told everyone in the
lab that he was fond of her and she was grateful for the added
protection. He nodded once to everyone before disappearing through
the door.

“
Perhaps now we can start
this lab meeting.” Frederic glared in her direction.

They discussed tasks and
projects. Frederic assigned who should do what. She noticed that
her list of tasks were all the undesirables. She finally shook her
head. “Frederic, I’m here to complete my previous projects. The
Director wants me to finish
today
. I’m also supposed to train
anyone who has taken over my tasks who needs help.” She stared down
the idiot, making certain he understood she wouldn’t be bullied. “I
am not taking on new tasks because I’m to finalize my contract
terms by the end of today. That’s what my early morning meeting was
about.”

There was no way Frederic could argue
with her, since again, the Director had dictated this. His mouth
pulled down. She was actually grateful she had to come back here.
For the first time she had finally stood up to this disgusting man
and shown that she would no longer be bullied.

She didn’t need Vlad here
to flex his impressive muscles. In that moment, she learned she
could flex her own and show that she would no longer be pushed
around. This was her job and she would do it, but on her
terms.
Professional
terms - exactly as they were all to conduct
themselves.