Page 1 of Defending Love
Prologue
Eli
* * *
As the elevator doors opened, I took in the entry, scanning different directions. A long receptionist’s desk sat in the center with two ladies busily typing while speaking into headsets. Scrolled in large gold letters on the wall behind the women was the name Sinclair.
I searched the room for security. It appeared the only way to access the offices from this floor was through closed doors located at each end of the desk. Within the waiting area, there were clusters of chairs on carpeted surfaces and windows that showed spring’s blue sky behind the Indianapolis skyline.
“May I help you?” the dark-haired receptionist asked. After her quick scan that went from my chin-length hair to my shoes, she brightened her smile.
I wasn’t unaccustomed to that assessment. Being ex-military, I worked to keep myself in top physical condition and wasn’t above using my appearance for my benefit. Today wasn’t such a day.
Her gaze settled momentarily on my left hand. The gold band was nothing more than a prop. Its purpose was to stop unwanted advances. It would be nice to say it worked one hundred percent of the time. It didn’t. Nevertheless, I wasn’t the marrying type. My career wouldn’t allow it. She cleared her throat and waited for my response.
“Name is Elijah Rhodes. I have an appointment with Mr. Sinclair, Damien Sinclair.”
“Yes.” She jutted her chin toward the waiting area. “Please have a seat and his assistant Johnathon will be out to show you back.
“Thank you,” I replied as I thought back to the call I received yesterday from Benjamin Clark, the man who brought Guardian Security Company into fruition. Since his call, I’d spent as much time as possible getting to know our potential clients. Most people who hire their own private security assumed that they were the ones deciding who to hire. The reality was that Benjamin wouldn’t take on clients without approving them first. He did his homework.
There were some clients who wanted the appearance of large muscle-bound men in dark suits, wearing earpieces and surrounding them in a very public manner. While Ben had taken a few of those assignments because Guardian had men that fit that perception, he preferred clients who wanted what he sold—protection, not a show. That was why Guardian employed both men and women.
The man I was about to meet, Damien Sinclair, the CEO of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals, contacted Ben a few days ago regarding an assignment to protect his parents in Florida. Ben confided to me that as far as asshole corporate types went, Sinclair was on the cocky side, but he wasn’t difficult to work with. Leo Conner, one of our best men, was point on that Florida team.
Mr. Sinclair’s request increased—from what started with guarding his parents in Florida grew to also protecting his loved ones in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to Mr. Sinclair, the immediate threat was Sinclair’s half-brother, Darius Sinclair, and Darius’s wife, Amber.
My homework had provided background on the Sinclair family—both that which was public and that which took more skill to unravel.
Sinclair Pharmaceuticals was founded generations ago by Mr. Sinclair’s great-grandfather. More recently, Mr. Sinclair’s father, Derek, oversaw the company until he retired six years ago. Prior to Derek’s retirement, Darius Sinclair, Derek’s son from his first marriage, was named as acting CEO. It was around that time the private company began to tank.
While Sinclair Pharmaceuticals had been a successful small company as compared to Big Pharma, it didn’t see remarkable success until more recently with Damien Sinclair at the helm and the patent of Propanolol, a medication that helps people suffering from PTSD.
As a retired Special Forces weapons specialist, I knew both men and women who could benefit from such a medication if it was legitimate. Benjamin, Leo, and others on the Guardian team had similar military backgrounds.
Ben diligently watched the news of military retirements, offering jobs to those who would work best for his company. The compensation was staggering compared to that earned while in the military. Ben charged for the comfort and knowledge that those we protect were safe. In his words, that reassurance was priceless.
Taking a seat, I watched as two women exited the elevator. Ben had assigned me as point on this team, and if the job was taken, I knew who I’d be working with.
A smile threatened my serious expression at seeing the two women guards. Deidra Burton and Tara Bradley were both from the Chicago office and two of the toughest Guardians around. After speaking to the receptionist, they turned, both recognizing me immediately.
“Eli,” Deidra said with a smile.
I stood as they came closer.
She lowered her voice. “My, my. Ben said he was pulling out the big guns for this assignment.” She nodded. “It’s good to see you.”
We shook hands.
I spoke to Tara. “I was surprised when Ben gave me your name. I thought you were working that senator’s assignment in DC.”
She nodded. “I am. She’s currently overseas with the Secret Service. Ben said this would be a quick in-and-out assignment.” Tara scoffed. “I’m not much for downtime.”
Being a limited-time assignment was why I accepted Ben’s offer. I didn’t do long-term work. The longer a Guardian spent with a client, the more personal and the less objective our jobs became.
I’d made that mistake of getting personally involved once, and I wasn’t willing to do it again.
Tara’s comment about not wanting downtime was true of all of us. We weren’t standing here for the money, although we’d willingly accept the checks. Performing a job like ours required dedication. That sense of devotion could only be fulfilled by the adrenaline that came from knowing your assignment was safe. Success wasn’t measured in killings or gunfights.
