Monk’s gaze flickered to Helia. Their relationship was barely getting started, well, Act 2 of it, and he was changing the stakes dramatically. Still, he couldn’t, wouldn’t, do anything else.
“Me and a few of my brothers are preapproved foster parents. It’s a long story, but it’s come in handy a few times in the past when we’ve needed to watch kids for a few days while their parent, usually their mom, heals.” He held Vanessa’s gaze before switching it to Harry. Both nodded in understanding as to what he meant, even as they looked confused as to how he’d be involved. A situation he’d explain later.
“As soon as Leo?—”
“He’s a friend of Collin’s who works for a prestigious security company and is a cyber genius,” Helia interjected. Her parents nodded again, although he could see a thousand questions gathering in their eyes.
“As soon as Leo told me about her death, I asked him to start the process of having me appointed as Kendall’s foster parent.” His gaze flickered to Helia. Something akin to pride shone in her eyes, but he doubted the reality of what that meant had sunk in. “The provisional appointment came through a few hours ago. We’ll have to talk to a social worker after the holidays, but it’s what both Kendall and I want.”
Harry stared at him. Vanessa frowned, not in disapproval, but concern. “I’m not questioning whether you’ve done the right thing, Collin, but are you ready to parent a twelve-year-old orphan? Becoming a parent changes everything.”
“And I imagine being a parent to a girl like Kendall, who hasn’t had the most stable life, is going to pose even more challenges, but is anyone really ready to be a parent?” he countered.
A ghost of a smile touched Harry’s lips, but Vanessa still didn’t look convinced. Monk sighed. “Look, I know it will change things, my life, in ways I can’t even imagine. But I can’t, I won’t, leave her to the system. She deserves better than that. All kids do, but she’s the one I can help, and she wants the same thing. We’ll get therapy, we’ll do what we need to to make it work.”
“That you both want it is a good start,” Vanessa conceded.
“And not that you won’t have to parent, but my guess is that you’ll be more like a big brother than a father to her,” Helia added. He’d considered that as well, then decided not to put any labels or expectations on what their relationship may or may not be. His priority was to provide her with a safe home where she could thrive. Everything else, they’d figure out as they went along.
A nurse popped in, putting a pause to their conversation. Three minutes later, Helia’s vitals checked, she left with a satisfied nod. Harry turned to him. “You mentioned your brothers. Are you suggesting Helia will be safer with you?”
Vanessa made a small noise of protest, but Monk held Harry’s eyes. “We have twelve former spec-ops soldiers staying in the castle, plus their partners coming too, which means a former FBI and a former CIA agent also make up the party. Yes, I think she’ll be safer recovering there.” He wanted to haul her off and tuck her into the tower, but he forced himself to look at Helia. “But I won’t force you. If you’d rather be home, we’ll figure it out.”
She tightened her hold on his hand again. “I was planning to stay with you anyway. Now I’ll get to meet your family and be with Kendall.”
His fingers twitched against her palm. “Leo and Joey will be there, too. Kendall will like that, I think.”
“When will they arrive?” Vanessa asked.
“In about two hours.”
Helia clicked the call button as she swept them all up with her gaze. “Which gives me enough time to blow this joint so we can be there when they arrive,” she said, all but daring them to challenge her.
Harry’s lips twitched. Vanessa sighed in resignation. Monk smiled. No one challenged her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Helia managed to bully the hospital staff into letting her go earlier than they’d like. It helped when Collin mentioned that one of his brothers was a field-trained expert medic who would keep an eye on her. Still, they hadn’t been happy. Not that she cared.
Other than the fatigue, she felt fine. She hadn’t fallen and hit her head or bruised or banged any other part of her body. Collin had seen to that. But the exhaustion…she’d never felt anything like it. It was as if a hundred-pound weight pressed in on her from the top while every muscle fiber simultaneously grew roots into the ground, pulling her down. And breathing? Intellectually, she knew her body wouldn’t stop, but every breath felt as if she had to force air into her lungs.
Leaning against Collin, her arm tucked into his, they made their way into the castle. While she waited to be discharged, her parents had picked up her car from downtown, and her bag hung over his other shoulder.
“You doing okay?” he asked, keying in the security code.
“I’m fine,” she said. More or less true. “Don’t step away too quickly, though,” she added, with a smile.
The look he shot her told her the attempt at levity fell flat.
“How long until everyone arrives?” she asked, as the door swung open.
“They stopped for gas at Cordelia Junction, so about thirty minutes.”
“How was Kendall when you left?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“Still in shock, I think. She requested mac’n’cheese from the store, though. I think it’s a comfort food for her.”
“Helia!” The girl in question popped up from the couch as they entered the tasting room. A fire blazed in the hearth, and Dulcie sat in a chair, a game of Trivial Pursuit on the table between them.
