Chapter 7
Impatient now, Raj gripped Helen’s upper arms, pulling her closer and ducking down to look directly into her eyes. “Helen, I need you to understand. I know that you’ve had a difficult day and it’s relatively late for you, but Angela, and you, need to be protected.” Raj was reminded of his brother’s frantic actions to get his twin sons and Tila to the palace where they would be protected. At the time, Raj had scoffed at the way his brother had literally kidnapped the trio.
Damn, Joran, and their oldest brother, Sheik Khal, were going to laugh at Raj’s situation. Khal had been relieved when things had worked out so well with Joran and Tila. There had been an unspoken command for Raj to not repeat Joran’s mistake.
Oh, things were going to be interesting when he contacted his brothers to admit that the exact same thing had happened to him.
Focusing on the present, Raj sighed.
“I know that…I left abruptly last time.” He squeezed her upper arms. “And I can explain, but I doubt the reasons for my departure will make you feel better. Right now, I need you to know that your safety and Angela’s are my first priority. I need you and Angela here, where my guards can protect you.” He didn’t mention that he wanted her in Lativa where he could protect her and his daughter at the palace. Right now, he just needed Helen and Angela safe. Just for tonight.
Her eyes widened as the import of his words slowly sank in. Her lips barely moved when she asked, “You really think that someone might try to hurt Angela?”
No, he doubted that anyone was currently trying to hurt their daughter. But he didn’t trust anyone, and he definitely didn’t trust either of the Grishoms. They’d drugged several people, tried to drug him, and blackmailed Helen into trying to seduce him…who knows what they would be willing to do to get this deal settled.
“I think that your employers are going to try to hurt you, maybe even discredit you, after what happened this morning. Which means I think that they will come after you somehow, maybe even try to hurt you. And they have already threatened Angela once. We must take proper precautions. ”
Helen bit her lip; it was the first sign of vulnerability that he’d seen in her today. It was endearing and a massive gut punch since he knew that she was a strong and fiercely independent woman. Seeing her so worried made his chest ache in ways he’d never felt before.
“Fine,” she said and Raj released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “We’ll stay here tonight.”
“Thank you,” he whispered and kissed her forehead. At that first touch, he froze as a jolt surged through him. He pulled back, looking down at her to gauge her reaction. He stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity. The world seemed to vanish, and they were teetering on the edge of something profound.
Their eyes met in a silent exchange, speaking volumes without a single word. In that intense moment, he saw a reflection of his own desires reflected back at him, a raw, unbridled passion burning brightly within her gaze. It was a revelation, a recognition of shared longing that left him breathless.
But for now, he pulled back, releasing her. “We’ll tell her together.”
“Fine,” Helen replied and turned. As he watched, a shiver went down her spine and Raj smiled. Thankfully, she had her back to him so she didn’t see his triumphant expression. She’d only agreed to stay tonight, but that was a start.
Tomorrow, he’d figure out how to convince her to come back to Lativa. Forever.