Finding Nora: A Reverse Harem Romance (The Searchers Book 2) Page 4

  The group seemed content to rib and tease each other, letting her remain silent. She couldn’t help checking the clock. She took a sip of her cappuccino, wincing at the bitterness, and reached for one of the biscotti to get the taste out of her mouth.

  “Do you have any questions for us?” Jessica asked suddenly, surprising her.

  She’d just taken a bite of biscotti, and she held up one finger, chewing quickly, and thinking about her question.

  “I guess… What’s your role? Why do you have so many people working with you?” The last question was meant for Dr. Murray, but Jessica spoke first.

  “We all have our own area of expertise. I am focused on your physical well-being, so I might take your blood pressure, or monitor your heart rate during questioning.” The way she phrased her answer reminded Nora of Detective Vance. Her stomach churned sourly, her coffee and biscotti threatening to make a reappearance.

  “Grant and Nils are both psychologists.” She peeked at the two men as Jessica spoke. “Nils is an expert in social behavior, group dynamics, personalities, stuff like that. And Grant is sort of a jack-of-all trades. He’s really good at getting in people’s heads.”

  “Because the study will take years, Nora,” Dr. Murray interjected. “I need their help. All our names will go on this paper when we publish it. But it’s too big and unwieldy for me to manage on my own.”

  “And it’s all confidential, right?” She bit her thumbnail, pulling on the skin. Grant’s eyes flashed to her hand and she folded them on the table. He met her eyes and smiled, but she felt like she gave something away. Biting her nails was a tell, and he noted it.

  “Yes. You’re listed as study participant. I can’t remember, ‘G,’ maybe. No names.”

  Nora sighed. “That’s good.”

  “Did you get a chance to read the paperwork?” Grant asked.

  She remembered the folder Dr. Murray handed her. She’d completely forgot about it.

  “I grabbed it for you, Nora,” he said, reaching for his backpack. “You left it on the chair.”

  “Sorry.” Her first assignment and she left it. Nice.

  She opened it and read the first question, “Are you happy?” There was a box next to the question, and then the word, “Why?”

  She skimmed the pages finally coming to the end. “What is the meaning of life?” She snorted. “Easy, then.”

  The table erupted in laughter, surprising her. She met Jessica’s wide smile. “Easy,” she agreed.

  “Does it make sense to you?” Dr. Murray asked.

  “The questions make sense,” she answered. “Yes. I’ll answer them as best I can.”

  Glancing back down at the sheet, a question jumped out at her; one she glossed over earlier. “Are you in a romantic relationship? If so, describe how you met your significant other. How do you feel about them? What do you hope for in your relationship? Where will you be in a year?”

  For her, these were questions she had herself. How the hell was she supposed to answer them?

  Grant threw Nils the keys to his car on their way out of the coffee shop. “I know you’ve been dying to drive it.”

  Nils made a sound of agreement, and unlocked the car, rushing a little ahead of everyone.

  She could finally breathe. They had ten minutes before Seok would arrive, and she was sure they’d get there before then. Grant flung his arm around her shoulders as they walked, pulling her a little roughly into his side as they walked.

  The first time he’d done this, she thought he was trying to include her in their group, to put her at ease. This time it was different. Her body tensed, and she knew he could feel it because he squeezed harder the moment she did. She put her hand on his side, attempting to extricate herself, but he held her close for another moment before letting her go. She didn’t like the implication of his touch, as if he was telling her he’d release her when he was good and ready, and not a second before.

  “The cappuccino was good, wasn’t it?” he asked, stepping away from her and opening the backdoor.

  She couldn’t finish the cup. The few sips she’d taken of drink turned her stomach, and left her feeling dry-mouthed and twitchy. “I don’t know if cappuccino is for me,” she admitted.

  He chuckled, waiting for Jessica to get in. She held a hand out to Nora, who realized she wanted help getting into the car. She took her hand and Jessica’s fingers wrapped around her hand, fingers lingering on her wrist before she settled herself in place. Grant hefted himself in after Jessica, who took out her phone.

  “Thanks for joining us.” Dr. Murray turned around from the passenger seat.

  “You’re welcome,” she answered, not that she had much of a choice.

  Nils stepped on the gas hard, and whipped out of the parking lot. She slammed into Jessica, who held onto her arm to steady herself. He whipped around another corner, blowing through a stop sign before accelerating up the hill.

  “Jesus, Nils,” Jessica scolded. “Ease up.”

  “I want to see what it can do.” His eyebrows waggled in the rearview mirror.

  He flew through the next stop sign as well. Jessica held onto Nora’s arm with tight grip.

  “The cops are always out here,” Nora warned, hoping he would slow down. “And you have out-of-state plates. You’ll get bagged.”

  “I never get caught.” He winked at her, and Dr. Murray laughed.

  Even Jessica chuckled. “He never does.”

  I’m gonna hurl all over these fancy leather seats. The street Nils drove was narrow, and lined on either side with parked cars. Brownington College’s library was on this street, and she could see people darting back and forth across the street. Nils must have seen them, too, but he didn’t pause. She could almost hear the sound someone’s body would make when it slammed into their windshield. She squeezed her eyes tight. Sweat rolled down her back, and her nails cut into her palms.

  The engine revved loudly, and her back pressed into the seat with the force of his acceleration. Her breath came faster, leaving her lightheaded, like she wasn’t getting enough oxygen. She opened her eyes to Nils heading right to the busiest part of the road.

  Was he trying to hit those kids?

  She cried out in warning. Her eyes shut instinctively and her face turned to the side. She threw up her hands to protect her face, and then her body slammed forward. Her seatbelt locked, digging into her stomach and sides so hard she yelped in pain.

  Slowly, the sounds of the car began to pierce her consciousness. There were a chuckles. Jessica’s thumb pressed on her inner wrist. “It’s okay,” she repeated. “It’s fine.”

  Her heart pounded so hard, she could feel it through her shirt. Her eyes opened. Nils had stopped well before the library. The engine idled, and the kids crossed the street in front of them, no idea they’d been a second from death.

  Dr. Murray turned in his seat, and watched her with an unreadable expression. Nils and Grant chuckled at each other; Grant waggling his finger. “I knew you were going to do that.”

  “I couldn’t help it,” he replied, turning in the seat. “I’m sorry, Nora. I have to do it to everyone.”

  She didn’t trust her voice. Her entire body started to shake and her teeth chatter. “You’re a jerk,” she replied without thought. “I’ll walk from here.”

  She pushed the unlock button, but it didn’t work.

  “Child safety locks must be engaged?”

  Grant nodded. “I can’t have kids jumping out the back now, can I?” he laughed. He reached over Jessica, and tapped Nora’s knee. “Relax. Now you’re really part of the team, we do it to everyone.”

  “They really do,” Jessica added. “They’re such boys.”

  She refused to answer. She knew her guys would never do that to her, or each other for that matter. This team made a full-on, no question, douchebag move.

  “Let me out,” she said through gritted teeth.

  Nils rolled through the stop sign, traveling up the hill at a much more reas
onable speed. “We’re almost there. Relax.”

  Jessica’s hand on her wrist started to feel constricting and she took her arm back, crossing them in front of her chest. “I’m sorry, Nora. I should have warned you,” she said. “You should have seen the prank they pulled on me when I first met them.”

  She shook her head. She did not accept their apology.

  “Nora,” Nils called as he drove. “Nora.”

  She reluctantly met his gaze in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry, really. I’m a younger brother, and teasing is in my genes. I apologize.” No matter how sincere he was, the damage was done. If he wanted to apologize, fine. But he’d have to work a lot harder before she trusted him again.

  He pulled into the parking lot behind the counseling center, and opened the back door for them. She got out first, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Friends?”

  He was forcing his apology on her.

  “I don’t know you, Mr. Gunderson,” she answered.

  “Nora!”

  Seok’s voice washed over her like cool breeze. She strode toward him, feeling tears choke her suddenly. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze raking her from head to toe. He jogged toward her and wrapped her up in his arms. She was sure he felt the tremors running through her body, and the way she let out a deep, shuddering breath.

  “What happened, are you okay?”

  She shook her head, she was most definitely not okay.

  “What happened?” His voice deepened, his accent thickening, rounding out certain sounds.

  “Hi.” Nora kept her face buried in Seok’s jacket. “I’m Jessica Chase. I’m sorry. That knucklehead over there, the blonde one who looks like the bad guy in Die Hard? He decided to initiate Nora into our team by scaring the bejesus out of her.”

  Seok tightened his hold on her, and she reached around him, holding him even closer.

  “Are you insane?” His voice rumbled through her. “She saw one of your other “team” members throw themselves out a window yesterday.” His voice was calm, but she could hear how angry he was. “You want her to trust you? To work with you? Maybe you should try a little goddamned compassion.”

  “I apologized. I am very sorry. I teased. I went too far.”

  “Look—” Dr. Murray interjected.

  “She doesn’t have to do this,” Seok growled, ignoring Dr. Murray completely. “She signed your paperwork yesterday. There is no reason she can’t tear it up.”

  Seok shifted. “You don’t have to deal with these assholes, Nora.”

  “Nora has a required participation period of thirty-days.” Dr. Murray sounded embarrassed, and uncomfortable. “Remember?”

  She shook her head.

  Seok let out a breath and stepped away from her. “You’re nuts if you think I’m letting her work with you after this.”

  His face was red, and he clenched and unclenching his fists like he was a second from smashing them into someone’s face.

  “I’ll be working with Nora in the beginning,” Jessica said quickly. “You’re okay with me, aren’t you, Nora?”

  Seok waited for her to reply.

  “I guess,” she said finally.

  “I am so so sorry, Nora.” Jessica’s voice was relieved. “I promise to make Nils suffer.”

  She appreciated her trying to lighten the mood, but she was too overwhelmed to do more than nod.

  “Let’s go.” Seok threw one more warning glower at the men and wrapped his arm around her, leading her down the street. He squeezed her tighter, and she gave a little squeal when he brushed against one of the wounds on her side. The seatbelt had dug into her with such force she could feel the pulse of her blood beneath the older injury. She’d have a hell of a bruise later.

  “Are you okay?” He stopped and put his hands on her shoulders, bending his knees a little bit to see her face.

  “My side,” she whispered. “The seatbelt dug into it.”

  “Can I see?”

  She glanced back over her shoulder where Dr. Murray’s team still stood. She bit her lip, nodding.

  He slowly lifted her sweatshirt and t-shirt, hissing in a breath at the clear contact abrasion of the seatbelt against her skin. The healing bullet graze seemed okay, it wasn’t bleeding, but the abrasion went right across it.

  “He did this?” His voice shook with anger.

  “I didn’t realize,” she said, surprised.

  Gently, he lowered her shirt, and put his hand on her cheek. He leaned forward, kissing her on the forehead, and then he took off like a shot. He was a blur of movement. One moment holding her, and the next sprinting down the road and leaping at Nils. The man let out a soft, “Omph,” as Seok tackled him. After a moment of shock, she ran toward them, crying out for him to stop.

  He only managed to land one blow before Grant and Dr. Murray pulled him off Nils.

  “You fucking asshole,” he said, shaking out his fist.

  She rushed to him, holding his arm, putting her body between him and the team.

  “She’s fucking injured. What is wrong with you?” He was genuinely confused. “Is this how you run your lab?” he asked Dr. Murray. “Because I’m sure the college is going to wonder about this.”

  He shook his head, the other team members hanging back. She was surprised Nils didn’t retaliate. A dark bruise formed on the man’s cheek. Seok packed a punch, but Nils didn’t seem bothered.

  “I’m sorry, Seok. Honestly.” Dr. Murray stepped forward, holding out his hands.

  “I really am sorry as well, Seok. Look, if punching me makes you feel better. Do it again. I was wrong. It wasn’t funny.”

  “You’re goddamn right it’s not funny.” He strode back toward Nora. She hadn’t realized Jessica held her back, her arm twisted behind her back. As soon as Seok got closer, she let go and Nora went to him.

  “I want to go home,” she said. “Can we please go?”

  He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, holding her to his chest with his hand to the back of her head. “You okay?”

  She shook her head. “I’m pissed, and my side hurts.”

  Chuckling, he stepped away from her, tracing her face with his gaze. It dropped to her lips, and he leaned in, gently kissing her. He wrapped his arms around her before burying his face in her neck. He kissed her softly and then stepped away. “Let’s go.” As they got out of earshot, he took her hand. “Will you tell me what happened?”

  She leaned her head on his arm, squeezing his hand tightly, and nodded. Seok, she could trust. She’d tell him anything he wanted to know.

  Decisions

  Seok was mad about Nils’ practical joke, but Ryan was ready to lose his mind. Nora described what happened, and they all wanted to examine her side. After one look, Ryan paced around the living room. Nothing anyone said calmed him down.

  “I need a copy of your contract,” he said on one of his rotations around the room. “What the hell is this thirty-day thing?”

  She cracked her knuckles and bit her nail, not saying much. She dissected the entire event over and over, wondering if she overreacted. She felt guilty the guys were so upset, guilty Seok had punched Nils and hurt his hand, and guilty this was one more piece of drama she brought into their lives.

  The whole thing was so crazy. A team of Ph.Ds playing chicken? She had no idea what to think of it.

  “Put this on.” Matisse handed her an icepack and flung another one at Seok before he sat next to her on the couch. He reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers.

  “Thanks.” She placed it over her side and leaned into him.

  “How are you doing?” he whispered, watching Ryan stop his pacing and speak hurriedly with Cai.

  “I don’t get it.” She shrugged. “Was it a mean prank? Do you really think they do it to everyone?”

  “I don’t know.” Cai waved him over to him and Ryan. “Hold on.”

  “Did Seok punch him really hard?” Apollo asked, leaning forward in the chair. He held his hands on his knees. �
�Tell me he laid the guy out.”

  She smiled despite herself, and reached for Apollo’s hand. When he gave it to her, she tugged him toward her. He let her, moving out of the chair and snuggling next to her on the couch. She rested her head on his arm, rubbing her cheek against his shirt.

  “You should have seen him, Apollo. I didn’t realize he could run so fast. He was a blur of blue hair.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah?”

  She loved seeing him relax. “Mmhm. He flew through the air, and I don’t think he even touched the ground before he punched the guy.”

  “And the guy didn’t even try to punch him back?” he asked thoughtfully.

  “No. He told Seok to hit him again. Said he deserved it.”

  “Huh. He did? Well, if he’s offering, maybe I’ll punch him.”

  “I would like to arrange that.” Matisse sat next to them again.

  Cai, Ryan, and Seok were still deep in discussion.

  “Cai called Tyler. Seems they did the same thing to him. Tyler thought it was hilarious, of course, but even he thought it was bad form considering your other injuries and what happened yesterday with Tilly.” Matisse’s face flushed with color.

  “I don’t get it.” She wrapped her arm around Apollo’s hugging it closer to her.

  “Tyler said he can’t explain it, but there’s more to it than a prank.” Matisse sat back into the couch, exhausted. “Ryan’s calling Dr. Murray about the contract. He wants you out of it before the thirty days.”

  “No,” she interrupted quickly.

  “What? Why not?”

  “Nora.” Apollo turned to face her. “You can’t be part of this. You can’t trust these people.”