Chapter 8: Chase's Revelations

After Helina closed the door behind her, Colt’s face took on a serious note. “She was on the sidewalk outside that bakery. She looked scared. A man had approached her. I think she knew him, but she didn’t say.”

Chase studied Colt. The man wasn’t given to fits of fantasy, so if he thought the situation needed him to step in, Chase believes him. “A man?”

“Yeah.”

“I know that she escaped from a bad situation. Maybe this man is part of her past,” Chase said. “I haven’t asked for details, but I may have to.”

“I was surprised he backed down so quickly when I stepped in.”

“You can be a pretty scary guy, Colt.”

Colt settled on the chair opposite Chaise. He pulled out the donut he’d bought and took a bite. “Yeah, I know, but there was something about this guy that I didn’t like.”

“Besides the fact that he was intimidating my assistant?”

“Yeah. When I figure it out I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you for being there for her. I’m sure she was frightened.”

“How did you find her?”

Chase chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Funny story.”

Chase shared the details of his meeting with Helina. Colt listened with one eyebrow raised. “You hired her anyway?”

“You know I love to save a woman,” Chase admitted.

“Yes, I know that. Helina looks suspiciously like your girlfriend from college.”

The one he hadn’t been able to save. Chase grimaced. “It is what it is. She’s my assistant and I get to train her in how exactly I want her to assist me.”

“That sounded dirtier than you probably meant it.”

“It was.”

Not that Chase hadn’t noticed how drop-dead sexy Helina was. She had an innocence about her that made her smoking hot. He’d gone to sleep with some fantasies in his head about those lips and hair. He shook himself. He was her employer. Her boss. Nothing could happen.

“Chase?”

“Sorry. I guess I haven’t learned my lesson about damsels in distress.”

“I’m afraid not.”

He was drawn to Helina the moment he saw her. It was as if he’d known her in another life, but he didn’t believe in that nonsense. Unable to put a finger on why exactly he hired Helina frustrated him, but he chose not to dwell on it.

“What if this guy who approached her on the street is the trouble?” Colt asked.

Chase frowned. “I’m not firing her. What did this guy look like?”

Colt gave him a description and Chase committed it to memory.

“He was shady-looking.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll keep an eye out for him.”

“She might be more trouble than she’s worth, Chase.”

“I’m not getting rid of her.”

Colt laughed. “You think she’s hot. You like her.”

“Of course I like her.”

“No, I mean, like her like her.”

“What is this high school? You going to pass a note to her in study hall?” Chase said.

He was getting annoyed with his friend’s teasing. Colt was a happily married man. There were rare days when Chase envied him going home to someone. Most of the time Chase was happy to leave the world behind and not have to be anything to anyone when he reached his penthouse. He could look down on the rat race and be glad he wasn’t part of it for a few hours.

“Chase. I mean it. Why invite trouble? There are women’s shelters in the city.”

“What are you suggesting? That I kick out Helina? Where’s your compassion?”

Colt laughed. “Just testing the waters.”

“I’ll talk to Helina tonight about what happened.”

“Then let me do a background check on this guy,” Colt said.

Colt was Chase’s lawyer and best friend. He also had access to people that Chase didn’t, including a private detective. “We’ll see.”

He didn’t want to pry into Helina’s life, but he wanted to keep her safe. It seemed important to him and he chose not to examine why. He’d always been protective of the women around him, but this was a stronger urge than he’d ever had. Was he interested in Helina? He could indulge in fantasies about her without making them come true. Professionalism was key, and he didn’t normally fraternize where he worked.

“Chase, you need to know what you’re dealing with,” Colt said.

“Right. Okay. I’ll find out what I can, but I’m not interrogating my assistant. She can tell me in her own time, okay?”

Colt frowned. “He knows she works somewhere around here. He might figure out where before you can get any more information out of Helina.”

“I’ll take that chance.”

“Watch your back.”

“Did you come here to lecture me about my assistant?” Chase asked.

Colt laughed. “No. It was just a bonus to my visit.” He pulled a folder out of his briefcase. “I have the paperwork from your latest potential acquisition.”

Chase took the folder from him. “And?”

“The contract is okay. Not great. I think you need to go see this company again. Something isn’t right. It doesn’t pass the sniff test for me.”

Chase rested his hands on the folder. He’d go over it when he was alone. He could concentrate then. “What do you mean?”

“Just a feeling. Gut instinct.”

Chase had learned to trust Colt’s instincts. “I’ll look over it carefully. I could make a trip there in a few days. We’ll see.”

“I mean it, Chase. This one doesn’t sit right with me,” Colt said.

“Got it. Thanks for your input, buddy.”

“How was the gala last night?”

“Funny story with that one.”

He related his alleged dumping the night before and they share a laugh.

“I told you she was grade-A crazy,” Colt said.

“You did call it. I’ll listen next time.”

Colt rose. “I have court this afternoon. Let me know what your plans are for this company.”

“Yeah. I’ll read this over and ponder my next move. Thanks.”

After Colt left, Chase decided he would have to broach the subject of the man on the street with Helina. He needed to know if she was in danger and did that put him in danger.

Hopefully, she would be honest with him.