Page 38 of Protecting Christina

She pursed her lips. “Is everything all right?”

“Fine,” I said, dismissing her concern.

“Okay.”

Then, while I looked for the name on my computer, she added, “If you ever need to talk to someone. I’m here.”

“Thank you.”

I knew she meant well, but talking never helped me.

“You know, Will and the guys are great at investigating things, too. You don’t have to get the police involved with your sister if you don’t want to.”

“It’s not that,” I said, still not making eye contact. “I haven’t seen Simon break any laws, so I don’t know what I’d even accuse him of.”

Besides, I’d never asked anyone for help, and I wasn’t interested in starting now.

Nikole stepped further into my office and sat on the chair in front of my desk. “Christina, there’s something I should tell you.”

The hesitancy in her voice scared me. “All right.”

“Jake and his friends are not just ex-soldiers.”

“They’re not.”

She shook her head. “They have specialized skills in rescuing people from dangerous situations. Will should be the one to tell you more, but I want you to know I’m recommending them because I think they could help.”

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair.

Mmm. This sounded promising.

If Will and his friends were equipped to rescue people, then perhaps he could help get in touch with my sister privately.

“Thank you for telling me that. I think it does make a difference.”

She smiled. “So, you’re going to ask him to help you?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m not looking for any favors. I’m going to hire him.”

“Oh,” Nikole’s face fell. “Ok. That works, too.”

“It’s perfect. I’m so glad you suggested it.”

“Well, I didn’t suggest that, but sure, that works, too.”

She stood from the chair and put her hand on my desk. “It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help, you know?”

I smiled, forcing my lips to spread across my face. “I know.”

She stared at me and nodded. “Ok. I’ll see you later.”

Just as she was about to walk out my door, I stopped her. “Didn’t you want the name of that judge?”

She blinked twice. “Oh, yes, that. Sure. You can email it to me.” And then she left.

I narrowed my eyes at her exit and wondered if Nikole thought I’d buy that.

Regardless of her intent, she did have a point. I should use whatever weapons I had at my disposal to take Simon Graff down.

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