Chapter 3 - The Man Who Sold Them Out
Adrien pushed Helena behind a marble wall.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
His head snapped toward her.
“No?”
“You've barely recovered.”
“There are armed men inside my house.”
“And I'm the person who stitched you together last time.”
“This isn't a hospital.”
“Exactly. So stop getting shot.”
Despite everything, Adrien almost laughed.
Mateo appeared at the bedroom door.
“Boss!”
“Report.”
“East entrance compromised. Six men confirmed.”
“Helena goes through the safe corridor.”
Mateo nodded.
Adrien grabbed Helena's shoulders.
“Go with him.”
“What about you?”
“I finish this.”
“Adrien—”
“Please.”
She had never heard him say that word.
Helena followed Mateo.
Halfway downstairs, she stopped.
Dr. Hayes stood inside the security room.
Helena stared.
“Dr. Hayes?”
His face went white.
Mateo raised his weapon.
Hayes immediately lifted both hands.
“Wait!”
Adrien appeared behind them.
The fury on his face was terrifying.
“You.”
Hayes began trembling.
“They made me do it.”
“Who?”
“The Bellini crew.”
Adrien stepped closer.
“How did you get my biometric override?”
Hayes swallowed.
“I treated your security chief months ago. I copied his emergency access information.”
Helena couldn't believe it.
“You brought me here that first night because you were already working for them?”
Hayes looked at her.
“I owed money.”
“You put a gun to my life because you owed money?”
“I didn't know it would go this far!”
Adrien's voice dropped.
“You sold my house.”
Hayes started begging.
Helena stepped between them.
“Adrien.”
“Move.”
“No.”
Mateo stared at her like she'd lost her mind.
“Helena.”
“If you kill him, you learn nothing.”
Adrien's jaw tightened.
“He almost got you killed.”
“Then make him useful.”
Silence.
Finally Adrien looked at Mateo.
“Take him downstairs. Alive.”
Mateo nodded.
Hayes was dragged away.
Hours later, the estate was secured.
Helena found Adrien sitting on the edge of his bed.
Blood stained his shirt.
She rushed toward him.
“Where?”
“My side.”
She opened his shirt.
A deep cut crossed his abdomen.
“Sit still.”
“You're angry.”
“Brilliant observation.”
She cleaned the wound.
Adrien watched her.
“You stood between me and Hayes.”
“I stood between you and a mistake.”
“He betrayed us.”
“Then expose him. Make him testify. Destroy the people behind this legally.”
Adrien laughed quietly.
“You really think men like me use courts?”
“Maybe that's your problem.”
His smile disappeared.
Helena tied the bandage.
“I care about you, Adrien.”
His eyes lifted.
She continued.
“But I will not become someone who excuses everything because she's in love.”
Neither breathed.
Adrien whispered, “Say that again.”
Helena realized what she'd admitted.
She stood.
“No.”
“Helena.”
“I said enough.”
He caught her hand—but gently.
“I'm in love with you too.”
She looked down at him.
“That doesn't solve anything.”
“No.”
“What happens when your enemies use Toby against you?”
“They won't.”
“You can't promise that.”
Adrien released her.
She saw the answer in his face.
He knew she was right.
The following morning, Helena packed her bag.
Adrien stood at the doorway.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“I don't know.”
His expression remained controlled, but she saw the fear underneath.
Not anger.
Abandonment.
Helena touched his cheek.
“You learned to sleep without your father.”
His eyes closed.
“You can learn to sleep without me.”
“I don't want to.”
“That's different from needing to.”
She kissed his forehead.
May you like
Then walked away.
For the first time since meeting Adrien Russo, Helena left without knowing whether she would ever return.
