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Baron’s eyes twinkled and his mouth curled up at the edges. “Yes, ma’am.”
“We need your help.” She pushed up, looking everyone in the eye. You’d never know she’d just found out her father was living on borrowed time. “So, I’m willing to overlook this, if you are. Let’s start afresh.” She reached out her hand. “Helene King, daughter of Weyland King, partner of Riven, Kane, Hunter, and…” she looked his way, giving my brother a soft careful smile before turning back. “Thomas Cruz. It’s very nice to meet you.”
NINE
Helene
“Is everything okay now?”
I turned back from where Riven paced the floor outside that room, raking his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t know,” I answered, finding her wide blue eyes waiting when I glanced her way.
Cloe bit her lip nervously, one corner of her mouth twitching in a smile. She was out of place with these men. That thought had crossed my mind before, but now it was all I could think about. “What’s your deal, anyway?” I asked carefully. “What’s a nice young woman like you doing with dangerous, powerful rich men like them?”
They weren’t nice businessmen.
Not at all.
Not after what had just gone down.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she answered quietly.
There was fear in her tone, clear enough to make my cheeks burn. She was clearly out of her depth with these men. One look at the flyaway strands of her hair and the awkward way she moved, and you knew she wasn’t made for this world. None of us were, really…but certainly not her. It was more than her adorable round cheeks and curvy body. There was an innocence about her, a gentleness that wasn’t going to last long.
I gave her my full attention as I gently placed my hand on her arm. “Word of advice, Cloe. Get out now while you still can. This isn’t a world where someone as sweet as you survives, not without being eaten alive in the process.”
She swallowed hard, then glanced to where the Lawlor brothers stood with London and my men. “I fear it might be too late for that.”
I winced, my stomach sinking with her words. “Then at least let me put my number in your phone. If any time you’re in trouble, you can call me.”
Her lower lip trembled and the shine in those blue eyes made me feel sad for her. “Why would you do that?”
I gave her a smile, even if it trembled a bit. “Because us women need to stick together, that’s why.”
She smiled back, then reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell. I typed my name and number, saving it under HK, hoping like hell she’d reach out to me if things ever got bad for her. I liked her. She was kind, gentle, and far too goddamn innocent for this world.
“Hey.” Riven growled, then stepped in front of Baron, leaning down, murmuring something in his ear.
Whatever it was, it was met with a glare of savagery from Baron.
“Cloe.” Came a deep baritone call as he looked her way.
She snapped her head upwards to meet Baron’s stare.
“Time to go.”
One nod and she slid from the stool at the bar, her ass squeaking against the leather before she landed. She reached over, grabbed the velvet bag full of stunning diamonds, and flicked her gaze my way. “Thank you for talking to me. I hope…I hope one day we get to meet again.” Surprisingly she stepped close, wrapped one arm around me, and pulled me in for a hug to whisper in my ear. “I can’t leave, not yet.”
My eyes widened as she quickly pulled away, gave me a shy smile without meeting my eyes, and darted away, her heels clicking. Baron Lawlor met my stare over her head as she hurried toward him. One cautious nod my way and he reached out his hand, instantly finding the small of her back before they turned and made for the rear of the bar.
I stood there for a few minutes, watching them as London left. But Riven didn’t look my way, nor did he call my name. He just turned around and walked away. I jerked my gaze to Kane as he watched him, then turned to me, lifting his hand.
I made for the door, meeting them in the hallway.
“He’s hurting.” Kane murmured as Hunter shoved the back door open. “So be gentle.”
My breaths raced and my pulse thundered as I stepped out into the parking lot. The sleek black Bentley was already driving out. I glanced at the customized license plate, DMND1, then turned away, ignoring London’s Audi as it followed the Bentley.
