Page 132 of Sinclair Duet

“Working with Damien—you married Damien.”

I scrunched my nose at the way her volume rose with her statement. “Yep.”

“Oh, Ella. Why? What’s happening?”

I thought back to the answer I gave Amber in the hospital. “There’s a lot happening, but the real reason I said yes is because” —I took a breath— “I love him.” I did. I couldn’t deny it any longer. “I care about him. I know I left him, but being back with him feels right.”

“Oh, honey. I’m crying.”

“Mom, I’m sorry you and Dad weren’t there. The wedding was very fast. Damien has offered me a big ceremony in the future. His dad is in the hospital with some heart problems. We’d like to have all four of you and the rest of our family around.”

Mom took a deep breath. “That’s not why I’m crying. I always thought Damien was special. I also understood why you left. If you feel more confident with him now, Dad and I support you. You’re a grown woman. Of course, I’d love to share a ceremony of your union along with the Sinclairs, but that’s your decision, dear. We trust you.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Mom’s voice regained her usual strength. “We trust him too. In many ways, Damien has reminded me of your father. They’re complicated men, or that’s what they want the world to believe. Men like that need strong women. That’s you, Ella. Stay strong.”

“Thanks, Mom. Things are very busy right now—a million fires. I’ll let you know about a ceremony and when we can get out to Tucson.”

“You’re always welcome. I’ll tell your dad.” She paused. “Is Derek going to be okay?”

“We hope so. I’ll call back soon. Love you.”

“Love you.”

Apparently, the cat was out of the bag.

My next text was to Niles. In the last few years, he’d filled the spot of my best friend. If this marriage wasn’t going to be a secret, I wanted him to hear it from me.

“Hey,back in Indy. Missing you from this new office. Do you have a minute to talk?”

As I waitedfor his response, I called Millie Barns’s office number. Her secretary put me right through.

“Ella, I was hoping to hear from you before now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t have my phone with all the meetings today.”

“It’s nearly five on Monday. You met with the pharma coalition over the weekend,” she said. “After hearing from Dwain Welsh, I expected you to call first thing after getting back to town.”

Well, there’s been a lot happening. Instead of saying that, I sat forward, putting my elbows on the desk. “When and what did you hear from Dwain Welsh?”

“He contacted me on Sunday. As you know, Moon Medical has been a Beta Kappa Phi donor for years. He wanted reassurance that even with this new campaign we would continue in that relationship. It seems he is concerned about the coalition—about our representative working from Sinclair Corporate. I have a call out to Mr. Sinclair. He also hasn’t returned my call. I’m beginning to think we may have been premature about your move.”

I shook my head. “This was discussed in Wisconsin. The members of the coalition want their information in a secure environment. That is what Damien supplied here at Sinclair Corporate.”

“It seems that Mr. Welsh is particularly concerned with Mr. Sinclair’s access to the information. He mentioned that Mr. Sinclair may be exiting the CEO position.”

The hell?

The small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention—little soldiers ready to do battle for my husband. “He’s not.”

“Mr. Welsh spoke of a temporary replacement—Mr. Darius Sinclair.”

Temporary?

“No,” I said more adamantly. “Millie, I know what’s going on. Darius is not taking Damien’s position temporarily or permanently. And honestly, while I might not be the right person to spearhead this campaign in the eyes of the coalition, that doesn’t mean the campaign should be dead on arrival.”

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