Page 117 of Sinclair Duet

Getting to the plane and into the air was uneventful. I spent most of our flight going through the information Johnathon had provided. I had the numbers to back up my appeal to the executive board. Gloria may have thought blindsiding me during my father’s medical crisis was to her advantage, but truth be told, I had the possibility of a coup in my head for the last five-plus years. I never imagined it would involve Amber Wilmott or marrying Ella.

Darius didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of taking over Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. The numbers didn’t lie. Since launching propanolol, our net earnings were higher than ever in our history. Under my leadership, we’ve put more money into research and development while still maintaining our market share of our tried-and-true formulas. Even without the addendum, Darius would be hard-pressed to make a case for his reinstatement as CEO.

As we drew nearer to Indianapolis and while Dani was on a call, I convinced Ella to accompany me to the back bedroom.

Though she came willingly, once the door shut, she placed a fist on her hip. “I’m not being fucked with your sister out there.”

It wasn’t what I’d planned. Nevertheless, I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. Step by step, I made my way to my wife. Still wearing the off-white sundress with her hair high on her head, she was breathtakingly stunning. Add her little declaration of limitations and I was growing harder by the second.

“Damien,” she said, keeping her blue stare on me.

“I can compromise. A blow job.”

“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 onan 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 hiscrazy 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.”

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