Chapter 2

Nolan looked down at the sweet woman in his arms and couldn't believe how quickly she altered his emotions. It was hard to see what she looked like because she was so dirty, but he could see a few shades of red hair, which excited him. He'd always been a sucker for a redhead, and to have one fall into his lap was crazy.So many thoughts ran through his head. He had no idea if she was already in a relationship or what kind of trouble they were, so he'd wait to even consider anything with her.The next hour was excruciating for him. He wanted to ensure the woman he'd found felt safe because he hated seeing the fear in her eyes. He and Jonah got them clean and wanted them to lie down and rest because it looked like they would collapse at any time.It felt like someone punched him in the gut when he first saw her without the dirt and grime. He'd known she was pretty, but when she stood clean and in a man's shirt, his desire for her ramped up to a high it'd never been before.When she started to shake after the shower, he steadied her. "Here, let me help you." He lifted her onto the counter. That was when he noticed she'd only gotten one button done, and he could see pretty much everything. A drop of sweat rolled down his back. "I'm going to button you up.""Thank you. My hands are shaking so much.""We'll get you taken care of." After getting most of the buttons done, he grabbed a comb Jonah gave him and started working out the snarls in her hair. "We'll get you some conditioner tomorrow."She nodded.He started to blow dry her hair and was pleased with her hair's dark mahogany, burgundy, and crimson colors. It went from one dark color to a burst of diverse colors merged together."Your hair is beautiful, baby," Nolan said.He smiled when she blushed."Thank you.""I think that's good enough for now. You're getting shakier, and I still want you to drink a few glasses of water while you're sitting here."She got two and a half glasses done before she started to shiver.He lifted her in his arms and laid her down on the bed before tucking the blanket up to her chest. Then he sat down beside her on the mattress. "Come and get me if you need me. I'll be across the hall."She nodded and closed her eyes.He studied her for a moment before he stood and left the room.Both he and Jonah discussed the girls, and they both seemed to be attracted to them. Now, they just had to learn what they were running from.A few hours later, he checked on the girls and found Caylee's side of the bed empty. He couldn't believe how close to panicking he was. He'd fought men who enjoyed killing Americans and never flinched, but this little girl tested his resolve and strength as he walked through the condo. She couldn't have gotten far because she wouldn't have been able to open doors, and no one could get in to take her.The air caught in his throat when he saw her sitting in a chair with her arms wrapped around her legs, staring out the window at the people below.