Page 27 of Rekindling Desire

“What? No.”

Cupping her cheeks, I brought my lips to hers. When our kiss ended, I tipped my forehead to hers. “I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be.” Her hands came to my chest. “You have too many things to worry about. I’m fine.”

Not exactly a glowing declaration from a recently married woman.

I took her hands in mine. “I wanted to talk to you about something first before we tell Dani.”

“That sounds serious.” Ella sat on the edge of the bed. “Don’t ask me to make any life-altering decisions. This weekend has turned my mind to goo. You see, I left Friday morning to go on an unexpected business trip, and now I’m returning a married woman.” She looked down at the gold band.

“You’ve seemed quieter since you told me what Pastor Abrams said about Darius and Amber.”

With her lips together, Ella nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it, but Damien, don’t worry. I am fine.”

I took the seat at her side and reached for her hands, covering them with one of mine. “I love you, Ella. I have. I never stopped. We don’t know our future, but I can promise you, they will not hurt you or anyone I care about.”

“If they were mad about being asked to leave the hospital, imagine how they’ll react tomorrow when we prove that we’re married. Their game will be over. You won, Damien. I don’t know Amber well. Hell, I don’t know Darius that well, but I can’t believe that they’ll walk away and admit defeat. They married with your dad in critical condition.” She shrugged. “We did too.”

“You’re probably right about them not going quietly.”

“What will that mean?” She swallowed. “I don’t want to think about what they could do.”

“Nothing,” I said adamantly. “There is nothing they can do. At the hospital, I spoke with Leo Conner. He’s the head of the security team I hired. He works for a much larger company. Tomorrow, four prospective bodyguards are coming to my office. I want you to be there.”

Her forehead furrowed. “Bodyguards? For you?”

“No, for you and for Dani.”

Ella hopped from the bed and paced back and forth. “A bodyguard. No. That’s crazy. I’m just me. I’m not a celebrity or someone who needs a bodyguard.”

Following her to my feet, I reached for her shoulders, stopping her movement. “Who you are is Mrs. Gabriella Sinclair, only the most important person in my life. I have five months to prove to you that we belong together. Allowing my brother or his crazy wife to get near you isn’t an option. Leo recommended that you and Dani be involved in the hire. He said that it’s important for the bodyguard and the client to work well together.”

She lowered her chin and sighed. “I don’t want this.”

I kissed her hair. “It won’t be forever. I need your help.”

Slowly she lifted her chin and met my gaze. “My help, with what?”

“How you just reacted…Dani will be ten times more against this. I need to do this. I need to know the two of you are safe. Help me convince my sister she needs a bodyguard.”

“That’s not fair. You’re asking me to convince her of something I myself don’t want.”

I lifted her chin. “But you’ll do it because I want it.”

“Marriage is supposed to be fifty-fifty. I’m feeling a little cheated on that percentage.”

“You’re right. I owe you. I’m willing to pay my debt in full. To do that, you need to be safe. Say you’ll help me.”

“Is it too late to ask Pastor Abrams to tear up the license?”

“Way too late,” I said. “You’re mine. I’m not letting you go.”

Gabriella

Every single argument Dani had against hiring bodyguards, I agreed with. That said, I kept my word to Damien and argued his side of the debate. By the time we landed in Indianapolis, the discussion was over. After tomorrow’s board meeting, Dani and I would join Damien in the afternoon to contribute our opinions toward the hiring of our bodyguards.

“Join us for dinner?” Damien said to his sister as we waited for the cabin to open on the tarmac.

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