Kurt was like a guard dog when it came to Alannah. He would hardly let anyone near her, and when they were allowed, he would glare at them before saying she needed to rest. Alannah understood why and knew all he needed was a little time to calm down. However, it could be a little too much.
"Kurt, I am fine, and I can look after myself," Alannah pointed out.
"You are not fine and I will make sure you get what you need. It is my responsibility as your future husband and King, " Kurt said firmly.
"I don't want to be your responsibility or burden!" Alannah snapped. She was getting very frustrated with the situation. Physio sessions hurt and were infuriating. Treatment from the doctors was not much better. Alannah wanted to just be in her room and cocoon.
Kurt could see that he had upset her, and his face softened as he cupped her face with his hands. "Alannah, I don't see you as a burden because you are not. It is a privilege and a joy to look after you. I could not lose you again, "Kurt said gently.
"Ok," Alannah mumbled.
"Good, now, unfortunately, I have a meeting to go to. There have been more cyber attacks on syndicate member gangs. It is causing issues. " Kurt said with a sigh.
"Still no connection apart from Stone-boarder?" Alannah asked.
The only thing Kurt said was that the spyware virus was called "Tatsu."
"Tatsu? Why don't I have a look? I could help. " Alannah said. Tatsu sounded very familiar somehow.
"Maybe later? Do you want anything while I am out? Grace will be coming to keep you company. "
"Errr orange juice, a book of five rings and an I pad would be amazing!" Alannah said with a smile.
"Yes to the book of 5 rings and an Ipad... no to orange juice," Kurt said, kissing her on the forehead. Alannah was about to protest when James and Grace walked through the door.
"Ahh, the Calvary has arrived!" Kurt said with a smile, and Alannah pouted.
"Ready to go, Boss?" James asked.
"Yes, See you soon and stay out of trouble! " Kurt said as he kissed Alannah on the lips and walked out. Alannah took a deep breath.
"Been a bit much, hasn't he?" Grace said with a smile.
"By God he has, but I am hoping he will ease up soon. Now tell me, did you bring them? " Alannah asked eagerly. Grace went into her bag and brought out a small bottle of orange juice. "Grace, you are an angel!" Alannah said, taking it and opening it.
"I'm pretty sure Kurt won't think that if he finds out!" Grace said
"My iron levels are extremely low! But Kurt is like, "No, Alannah!" Alannah mimicked. She moaned in pleasure as the orange juice hit her taste buds.
"He is just worried. You didn't see him when you were in a coma. Even James and Xan were scared of talking to him, "Grace said.
"I know... which brings me to the next thing!" Alannah said excitedly.
Grace pulled out a wedding planner and a couple of boxes.
Here are the cake samples. The hotel is booked and the licence has come through. The staff at the hotel are delighted to be doing your wedding and they all signed a non-disclosure agreement. The manager there, Alice, has gone above and beyond, " Grace said excitedly.
"Excellent! What about the food? " Alannah asked.
"Practically done, just the cake flavour you have to choose. Are you sure you want such a small guest list? " Grace said
Alannah nodded. "I want this to be small and relaxed. I don't want fuss or frills; that just isn't me or Kurt. "
"You are right, but I know Kurt was going to do the big wedding thing," Grace said.
"Because he had to as chairman! But if we do it as a surprise, he won't have to bear that responsibility, " Alannah said, and Grace grinned.
"What?" Alannah asked.
"You are just so perfectly suited, it is amazing! It is no wonder Kurt is guarding you like a grumpy guard dog! " Grace said with a chuckle. Alannah rolled her eyes.
Just then, a man and a woman came that Alannah did not recognise. They were followed by people bringing in racks of wedding dresses. "Dom and Cassandra! Thank you so much for fitting us in. I know that you are incredibly busy." Grace exclaimed joyfully.
"Down to you mostly!" Dom said, coming over and kissing Grace's cheeks.
"I love the new hair; blonde suits you!" Grace said as she looked at Dom's spiked hair, which highlighted his dark brown eyes.
"I thought I went retro, darling!" Dom said
"And Cassandra, you look fabulous as always! Those curls are to die for! " Grace said with envy. The small, skinny woman with blue eyes and long, curly chestnut hair,
"Thanks, Grace, but we are very confused about why we are here. With wedding dresses as well! Are you and Xan planning a vow renewal? " Cassandra said, Confused.
"God no! I still have to get over our wedding day. May I proudly introduce you to Alannah Evans-Medvedev, my cousin and Kurt's fiancée?" Grace said. Dom and Cassandra gasped and just stared at Alannah in amazement.
"Why are they staring at me like that?" Alannah asked in Mandarin.
"They are just shocked, that is all," Grace said in English.
"How did Kurt manage to land such a beauty like you?" Dom said, and Alannah blushed.
"You are a fashion consultant's dream! Look at that gorgeous red curly hair and those stunning green eyes, Dom, " Cassandra cooed.
"Well, she is an Evans!" Dom said.
"Don't forget about Medvedev! " Grace said.
"A Bear and a Lioness! Wow! Why do you have a fox of nine tails tattoo and where have you been? " Dom asked quickly.
"Nine Tails is the symbol of my fighting family. We are the best fighters in China!" Alannah said proudly.
"You were a cursed one?" Dom and Cassandra were shocked.
"Look, we don't have much time, so here is a quick lowdown. Alannah's mother hid Alannah away from Theo and the Russians. Alannah did not know where she came from and was sold as a "cursed one" to cover her brother's debts. Alannah was sent to China, where Tao spotted her and trained her as a fighter. Alannah saved Kurt from the gang and pretended to be a businessman interested in opening a fighting club. They fell in love. However, Alannah got injured and was not getting any better. Theo spotted a locket and realised Alannah was his daughter with a rare inherited blood disorder. Alannah was then taken to Russia, where the Japanese Emperor challenged Kurt to take Alannah's hand. Alannah drugged Kurt and took his place, getting seriously injured in the process. Alannah won the fight, but she has been in a coma for six months and woke up last week. We are now planning their secret wedding and I am determined that my cousin look like a princess on that day, " Grace explained.
"That is quite a story," Cassandra said.
"Right, shall we get started? When is the wedding? " Dom asked.
"Two weeks today and I don't want anything too fussy," Alannah said firmly.
"I had shorter times. Of course, we will do your hair and makeup on the day, not that you need a lot, " Dom said.
"It must be kept quiet," Grace said.
"Grace, the secrets we know could bring down gangs! However, we practise client confidentiality and take it extremely seriously, " Cassandra said firmly, and Dom nodded.
"Ok, now let's have a look at you. Stand up, good, good! " Dom encouraged Alannah as she got up and turned around. He went to the rack and pulled out a dress with many skirts and thrills.
"It looks like something a little bow peep would wear!" Alannah said, looking horrified.
"I take that as a no," Dom said with a sigh, and Alannah nodded.
"Definitely an Evans!" Cassandra said, and Dom nodded sadly.
Grace whispered in Mandarin, "Don't worry, I will be here to protect you."
By the time Kurt came back, everything had been packed up and Alannah was sleeping. When Kurt walked over to Alannah's bed and stroked her hair, she responded by mumbling softly.
"She looks exhausted. What have you been doing?" Kurt asked.
"Hello to you too, Kurt! Going by your mood, I am guessing the meeting did not go well. Grace said in a sharp tone.
"I am sorry Grace, my tone was uncalled for. I am just worried about her and you are right, the meeting did not go well, "Kurt said," and James snorted.
"Julian Drake is a slippery sod. I am glad you never considered marrying her daughter," James said.
"Is it this spy wear?" Grace said
"Yes, we know the company. But currently, we don't know who owns it or who is behind it all. What we do know is that it is making the syndicate question my abilities," Kurt said, frustrated.
"You will find out and settle everything," Grace said confidently.
Later that evening, Alannah woke up to see Kurt hunched over a desk working. "Kurt, you are back!" Alannah said happily as she got up and walked over to him. Kurt looked up and smiled as he pulled Alannah down onto his lap. He kissed passionately, making Alannah moan.
"What was that for?" Alannah asked when he broke off the kiss.
"I just missed you," Kurt said, nuzzling Alannah's neck, and she giggled.
"Your bristles are tickling! You need a shave!" Alannah complained, and Kurt chuckled.
"What are you working on?" Alannah asked, looking at his desk.
"Oh, this spy virus. I checked the accounts, staff members, and even their tax returns. There is nothing suspicious about saying who is orchestrating all this. It just seems like a normal software company, " Kurt said, frustrated.
"Well, why don't you go and take a shower whilst I have a look? Fresh eyes and all that." Alannah said.
"Hmm, you could join me," Kurt said, his voice husky and eyes suddenly full of lust.
"Not in this hospital!" Alannah said, in a tone that said it was not open for discussion.
"Well, that situation will change soon," Kurt growled, lifting her.
"54 hours and 30 minutes to be exact," Alannah said, feeling her feet on the floor, and Kurt laughed. He collected his shower stuff and said, "I'll be 20 mins max."
"I'll be fine, even if I can't get into trouble in 20 mins!" Alannah said as Kurt walked out the door, muttering something about how she could get into trouble in 5 minutes.
Alannah laughed and sat down at Kurt's desk. She clicked on a file, and it opened some accounts. Alannah had some experience with accounts from doing expenses for the Nine-Tails, so she could read them easily. She scanned them. Most of them looked like normal payments and transactions. However, Alannah's eyes fixed on one name.
"Yamata no Orochi?" Alannah said. Why did she know that name? Alannah thought. She searched for transactions under that name and was surprised at how regular it was. The amount that Yamata no Orochi paid was well over 50 million.
Alannah noted the name on a post-it note before moving on to the staff. The report said the company was only a year old and had a silent owner. However, the public figurehead was someone called Duncan Drake. Alannah clicked on the name and gasped when the photo was downloaded. It was none other than Duncan, her brother!