Page 6 of Her Noble Protector

“Raiden, Lisa has a whole crew of acquaintances, but she doesn’t have people that will pick up everything and go to her. That’s not how she operates. All of her time is spent working at some charity down in Arizona. Something to do with foster kids. I don’t know, she’s told me. But I can’t remember.”

“Fine, there was only you, and you weren’t available. What’d I tell you? I told you if you needed back-up, you call me.”

“I talked to Lisa in the hospital; you are no one to her,” Paula said. “Sure, you and your team got her out of hell, but she wasn’t having any part of any of you.” Paula’s voice softened. “Raiden, she’s hurting, and I don’t think any man’s presence is going to be welcome.”

“I get that, but she isn’t taking Cami’s calls. Not returning texts, nothing. She was in that hell with her. They were partners, they kept it together and helped keep those kids safe. You say it’s been five weeks, have you left messages? What have you done since then?”

“I’ve left messages.”

“And has she returned them?” Raiden persisted. “Has she texted you? E-mailed you? A smoke signal? Any goddamn thing?”

“Her phone goes straight to voicemail, and her voicemail is full. I’ve texted her a million times, and nothing, nada.”

“Why didn’t you show up at her door?”

“I can’t leave my grandbabies. I’m stuck here.” Now Raiden could hear the sorry in the woman’s voice. It was not going to do one damn thing to help the situation Lisa was in.

“Again, you should have called me.”

“What could you do that I couldn’t?”

“Don’t worry, Paula. I’m on it.” He said it firmly, hoping she’d feel a little bit of relief.

He could hear as she sucked in deep on a cigarette. “Thing is, you’re not the right person for this. No man is.”

“I’m on it. It’ll be okay.” He said it softly. He said it reassuringly. He knew Paula needed both. She was in a tight situation and she needed kindness right now, life was biting her in the ass and she was one of those types who was always trying to do for others. He let her know that he had her back. “I’ll take care of your girl.”

“Do you promise?” she asked, her voice just as soft.

“Absolutely. I’ll call with updates.”

“Thank you, Raiden.”

He hung up and made his next call. Since he needed Max’s support he sure as hell hoped that his mother hadn’t tried any blind date shenanigans.

“Hey,” Max answered. “Thanks again for the invite. I’ve got enough leftovers to cover me for three days.”

“Not surprised, you were the guest of honor so you got the most,” Raiden chuckled.

“The red bean mochi is out of this world. I need to get that recipe.”

Raiden knew he wasn’t kidding. Max cooked.

“Mom doesn’t give out recipes. She doesn’t have anything written down. You have to go over and she shows you as she makes it.”

“Sounds like a hoot. I’m game.”

Raiden smiled. Yep, there was a lot to like about Max Hogan. “I need to ask for a favor. I know it’s last-minute, but I need leave.”

“Something wrong? Do you need help?”

Again, there was a lot to like about this man.

“I don’t need help, at least not yet. Remember Lisa Garcia, the tour guide from the Mexico mission?”

“Sure.”

“Nic’s Cami can’t get ahold of her.”