Page 159 of Sinclair Duet

“Darius is our brother,” Damien said.

Dani stepped forward. “We love and respect Darius and want him to get the help he needs.”

My gaze turned to Timothy, who let his head fall forward.

“Is Darius ill? Mental health? Substance abuse?”

Dani lifted her hand. “Out of respect for the privacy of our family, we will keep the questions to Sinclair Pharmaceuticals at this time.”

The questions continued for another ten to fifteen minutes. Once in a while, someone would sneak in a question about Darius’s live stream, but through it all, Dani and Damien refused to answer. Nothing was said about a wife or marriage.

“Thank you for coming,” Damien said as the questions slowed. “We’re done.”

I waited as the reporters were led from the room. When I looked back to Johnathon, Amber was no longer beside him. I didn’t know when she’d left. I’d been too busy watching and listening to the Sinclair duet.

Bringing my hands together, I mimicked clapping as Damien and Dani came my direction. “You were both amazing.”

“Now we need to have an emergency executive board meeting and get everyone on the same page,” Dani said.

“Here?” I asked.

“Virtual,” she replied.

“What about Gloria’s place on the board?” I asked, speaking to Damien.

“One fire at a time.”

Timothy came close. “You made me nervous.”

Dani smiled a sweet smile. “I want our brother to get whatever help he needs. Maybe an attorney.”

“It was good,” I said, thinking about her comment. “You insinuated but didn’t specifically say what help he required.”

“If anyone infers that is their issue. I didn’t disparage or defame him.”

We all looked at Timothy.

“I think you pushed the line, but an attorney would be hard-pressed to say you crossed it.”

Damien

Taking an extra-long look at her shapely legs as she climbed in, I helped Ella into my SUV. As I came around to the driver’s side, and sat behind the steering wheel, Ella was buckling her seat belt. “You know, I didn’t manipulate your flight to LA.” I grinned. “Watching you fasten your seat belt reminded me of that fateful day.”

“I wasn’t supposed to be on that flight.”

“I volunteered to go to LA with Van in hopes of seeing you, but that’s where my input ended.” I squeezed her hand. “This is meant to be, Ella. There’s no denying it.”

She leaned her head back against the seat as I drove out of the parking garage. It wasn’t until we were under the sunny evening sky that she spoke. “How did the emergency board meeting go?”

“It was more symbolic. As chairwoman, Dani needed to inform the members of the day’s happenings.”

“Have you told your mom?”

I shook my head. “Mom told us to handle things. We are.”

Ella turned, her smile growing. “You two are good together. I always admired your bond. Charlotte and I are close, but not like the two of you.”

There wasn’t a secret to our relationship. We’d always been there for one another as long as I can remember. There wasn’t competition between us. If I gave that more thought, I might decide that Darius was our competition. Dad’s second-marriage children against the son from his first marriage. That probably wasn’t healthy, but who was I to judge?

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