Chapter 7
Helena hated herself even as Nolan scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the ambulance.
He put her in the front seat and kissed her forehead.
“You’re in the right place if you’re worried no one will like you because of killing a person or two.
Especially, since I’ve seen the video, Hel.
You were brave, and you did what needed to be done.
Hold on, sweet one. Let me get in and start driving. ”
Nolan closed the door and Helena sucked in a deep breath.
He was too nice. He would never understand the terror she went through in South Sudan or why she had to kill those people.
People who were now after her. And now she caused Bella to be hurt too.
Anyone who got close to her got hurt. Helena couldn’t have that happen to Nolan.
She took another deep breath, closed her eyes, and counted to ten. She broke for just a moment, but she visualized putting herself back together. She was Helena Diakos. She didn’t take crap from anyone. Not even a warlord with a Red Notice out on him.
“Hel,” Nolan said as he started to drive the ambulance toward Lexington. “I know how you feel. It’s okay to be upset about it. But it doesn’t mean no one will understand, or that it will cause you to lose friends, or not find someone who wants you. That’s just not true.”
Helena shook her head. “You can’t understand. I’m sorry I involved you, but I’m okay now. Drop me at the hospital and stay away from me. Then you’ll be safe.”
Helena looked out the window to avoid seeing Nolan’s face. She knew if she looked at him she would crumble. She would crawl into his lap and beg him to protect her. That wasn’t her. She made her own way in life. She fought the battles for others, not for others to fight for her.
“I’ve killed six people, Helena,” Nolan’s voice said softly. “Trust me when I tell you I understand. Further, I will kill anyone who comes after you without a second thought.”
Helena turned her body to look at him. “What?”
“A very large group of very bad guys came after my friend, Kale Mueez. Everyone in town stepped up to help. And several other countries. It was a huge fight and I did what I had to—just like you did. You’re always so strong, Helena.
It’s okay to need a moment to not be. And know I’m here to protect you when you’re vulnerable.
Or to stand by your side when you’re ready to fight. ”
Crap, she was going to cry again. She’d known Nolan was a good guy the first time she met him, but he actually understood what she was going through and he wanted to stand by her.
She’d thought about him constantly since that firefighter charity event she’d gone to with Quinn.
Nolan was different from any of the men she’d ever known.
Just like Knox was for Quinn. Helena knew she was lucky to have been raised in a wealthy family.
She attended the best schools, had dated the sons of some very wealthy and powerful people but they’d never seemed .
. . sincere. It had always felt like a business transaction.
She certainly had never trusted any of them by showing her vulnerability.
They would strike like a snake, thinking they’d found something to use against her.
Helena and Quinn met in college, and they became roommates.
Most of the people at their college didn’t know who she was and she stayed away from the ones who might.
Quinn showed that her real friendship was free and not a bargaining chip.
So when Quinn had almost lost her job because of her asshole ex, Helena rushed to Keeneston as soon as she could.
She never foresaw meeting Nolan. He was tall, strong, and handsome, yet not the least bit conceited.
He didn’t use his good looks as a way to manipulate women.
He seemed honest and open. Then she’d danced with him at Quinn and Knox’s wedding.
The feel of his large, rough hands on her body made her think of some very not nice things.
Well, they would be nice in the naughtiest way.
But then he’d abruptly pulled away. However, now he was back beside her and Helena didn’t know where she stood, where they stood, or if it should even matter since a crazy, narcissistic warlord was after her since she challenged him.
“We’re here.”
Helena didn’t even realize they’d pulled up to the hospital since she was so lost in thought.
However, she was thrown back into reality as nurses and a doctor ran out of the doors to meet Flint with Bella.
Nolan jumped down and hurried around to her door.
He opened it and lifted her down into his arms.
“I can walk.”
“And I can carry you.”
Helena didn’t argue. And, for the first time in over a week, she felt safe.
The next hour was a blur of CT scans, X-rays, and doctors examining her.
Blood was drawn, urine was taken, and finally her room was empty except for Nolan.
They would all be back as soon as all the test results were back.
However, during all of it, Nolan was right by her side.
He’d held her hand through the entire thing.
He didn’t interrupt, letting her take the lead.
She knew if she needed him to, all she needed to do was look at him, and he’d kick everyone out of the room and give her a minute to breathe. Now she finally did that.
Helena took a deep breath and turned to Nolan. “Thank you for staying with me, but you need the doctor to look over your neck and hands too.”
“They will once you’re all taken care of.”
“You’re important, too,” Helena told him. She saw the surprise in his eyes. “Has no one told you that?”
“My parents,” he replied with the cutest little smile.
“Well, they’re right.” Helena pressed the call button and a nurse hurried in.
“Can you send in the doctor to examine Nolan? He was the firefighter who saved me and he had a direct hit from the explosion, which is why he doesn’t have his shoes on.
The rubber melted.” The nurse hurried from the room to get the doctor.
“It’s my turn to hold your hand,” Helena told him as the room suddenly filled again.
Nolan’s exam didn’t take nearly as long. First-degree burns on the back of his neck, but that was all. The skin was cleaned and treated and when they were about to get the room to themselves again, the doctor came back in.
“We have your tests. Nothing is broken. You’re dehydrated so you’re going to get a bag of fluids before you leave.”
“The accident dehydrated me?”
“No,” the doctor answered with a smile. “This is probably something that started at least a week ago. You weren’t getting enough water.”
“Oh, yeah.” The desert, the long flights, the long nights working—Helena was so caught up in work she didn’t think about things like eating or drinking.
“Thank you, doctor,” she told him. Then, again when she thought they’d get some time alone, there was a knock on the door and in came the sheriff of Keeneston.
“Did you find anything, Matt?” Nolan asked the sheriff.
“The two men in the vehicle arrived in Lexington from New York about twenty minutes before Helena did. They’re from South Sudan and arrived in New York four days ago,” Matt finished explaining. “What happened four days ago and why would they fly to New York then follow you here?”
“Four days ago, I was at The Hague getting a Red Notice warrant for Kazim Garang. Ten days ago, I was in South Sudan where I came face to face with Garang and the crimes he was committing,” Helena told him before going more in depth about the charges, the warrant, and what happened outside the International Court before telling them about New York and why she was coming to Keeneston.
Nolan held her hand the entire time, but she didn’t miss the way he slightly tightened his hold on her when she got to the part about Bella saving her life.
“They’re probably the guys who got into her condo, right?” Nolan asked.
Matt nodded. “They somehow found out you were heading to Keeneston and caught a flight before you left so they could ambush you.”
“How would they know?” Helena asked. It didn’t make sense.
“I’d have someone check your condo for bugs or video feeds. Further, if you have cameras inside your house, they could have hacked them and been watching and listening the entire time you were there,” Matt explained. “Do you want me to contact the person in charge and suggest they look into it?”
Helena nodded even as Nolan began to rub his thumb gently over her knuckles to soothe her. She still needed to call her parents and tell them what happened. “Have you heard anything about Bella? The doctors won’t tell us anything.”
“She’s in surgery. She has a broken leg and a concussion. However, the doctors said she’ll make a full recovery. I assume you were going to stay with Knox and Quinn? But it looks as if we need to put a deputy on you for your protection.” The second Matt said it, Helena knew what she had to do.
“I can’t stay with them and put them in danger.” Helena paused, her one hand twisting in the hospital blanket, the other gripping Nolan’s hand. “I don’t know where to go.”
“I can stay with you,” Nolan offered. Helena smiled at him, but she couldn’t put him in danger either.
“I was going to suggest the bed and breakfast. Lucas is there and he’s FBI Hostage Rescue. He’s more than capable of watching out for you. Plus, it’s close to the sheriff’s department, and we can have a car drive by with someone checking the property hourly.”
Helena was already shaking her head. “I can’t put innocent people in danger.”
Matt grimaced, then grinned. “Yeah, but we kinda do this stuff for fun. I know it’s hard to understand for someone not from Keeneston, but we’re not your normal small town.
If things get rough, we can put you in the security building on Desert Sun Farm, which is owned by Prince Mo of Rahmi and his family.
You’ll be surrounded by Rahmi soldiers. Or we can have you bunk up at the Keeneston Training Center with a building full of Special Forces, FBI, DEA, CIA and various law enforcement.
On top of that, if this Garang sends more people after you, he’s literally sending them to their death and he probably has no idea.
He’d think it would be easy to get to you, but even our parish priest has combat experience. ”
Nolan squeezed her hand to get her attention. “I agree with Matt. You’ll be safe in Keeneston and we’ll work not only to keep you safe, but to help you take down Garang and anyone he sends after you.”
Helena liked to think that was true, but come on. The town had the Rose sisters and so many wonderful, sweet people. She didn’t want to put them in danger.
“Plus,” Nolan said, as if knowing she was wavering on staying, “Aniyah hasn’t shot anyone in a while. She would really appreciate the chance to do so again.”
“That’s a low blow,” Helena said with a chuckle.
“I could never say no to Aniyah. She’s the best friend everyone wants but only the Keeneston few are lucky enough to have.
” Aniyah was a firecracker packed into a small, curvy, stylish package.
Her dark, smooth skin glowed. Her black, natural hair always had a streak of red hiding in it.
However, even Helena had learned in the short amount of time she’d spent in Keeneston that you took cover when Aniyah pulled out her gun.
She’d gotten better lately—when she remembered to put on her glasses.
“Not only that, but Bella can come too. Jace can look after her once she’s discharged,” Matt told her, making her feel better about that. “Plus, my father-in-law and uncles will love helping out.”
“Do you think Bella can meet Ahmed?”
“I can guarantee that,” Matt told her and Nolan’s smile was one of victory.
“Okay,” Helena said on a sigh. “Take me to Keeneston.”