Chapter Eight
Caleb glanced at Bella and saw she was about asleep, so he didn’t tear into her mother the way he wanted to.
At the condo, he waited for the extra guy and driver to come around and stand on the sidewalk watching before he opened the door.
“Come on, honey. Let’s get you in.”
She nodded and let him help her out of the car. He gripped her upper arm and hurried her into the building.
“Thanks, guys.”
They both nodded and kept up their watch.
“Hello,” said one of the security guys he’d met the night before. He held the door open.
“Hey, thanks, man.” Caleb waved the other two off and then got Bella into the elevator. He bit back a smile when Helen had to rush to catch up.
“You could wait for me,” she complained.
“My main objective is to get Bella to safety, so that’s all I’m going to think about.”
Caleb got Bella into her room with a promise to get her something light to eat while she showered. He whipped up some eggs and toast.
“Helen, I made enough for you,” he said when he walked by her room.
The door opened suddenly, and he whistled. She was dressed in an evening gown that shimmered, and her hair was up in some kind of bun.
“Looking good,” he commented and whistled again and grinned when she turned red.
“I… Thank you,” was all she said. “I’ll be out quite late.”
“No problem. Just don’t bring anyone up to the condo for a quickie.”
She gasped. “You are the most vulgar man I’ve ever met.”
He chuckled and shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift. Have a good time.”
At Bella’s door, he knocked with his elbow. “It’s me.”
Bella stood in a nightgown and robe.
“Are you hungry, honey?”
“A little. Are you going to eat?”
“Yes.”
“Can I eat with you?”
“In the dining or living room?”
“Either.”
They sat and ate, talking or joking as well.
“Does your mother go out a lot?”
She nodded. “Yes. She’s invited to all sorts of functions.”
“She’s invited? Or you are, and she goes in your place?”
Bella blinked a few times. “Oh, I … I’m not sure. I’ve never asked.”
He took a few bites. “Are you ready for bed?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m wound up for some reason.”
“Let’s watch some TV.”
“You don’t have to entertain me.”
He grinned. “I know. Come on.” He sat in a chair, and she took the sofa. She ran through some channels.
“What do you want to watch?” she asked.
He stretched his legs out in front of him and laced his fingers over his stomach. “It doesn’t matter to me.” He grinned at her. “Any chance we can watch your show? I’ve never seen it.”