Page 25 of Defending Love
“They signed the contract for our security. The exact locations and number of cameras weren’t common knowledge. Don’t discuss it with anyone.”
“Does Damien know?” she asked.
“Not to my knowledge.”
“What’s the purpose of keeping that information from him?”
“Who benefits from your father’s death?”
“No one.” Her answer came without hesitation. “Damien accused Darius of involvement, but even that doesn’t make sense. Darius isn’t on Sinclair’s executive board. His only connection is that he owns shares of Sinclair stock that allow him information and bonuses. None of that would increase with Dad’s death.” She gave it more thought. “Dad’s will was updated after his health scare. Everything he owns, money and property, reverts to Mom. Even Damien and I don’t receive anything until Mom is gone.”
“She was shot.”
In the rearview mirror, I watched as Dani pressed her fingers against her temples. “Don’t do that, Eli. Don’t make me suspect my own brother. Damien wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Making her suspect her brother wasn’t my goal. However, I wanted her to understand the multitude of possibilities. “I didn’t say that he did.” I turned the SUV into the driveway of the rehab facility. The number of people outside the front door had decreased, yet there were still about half a dozen. “I’m driving you around to the back. We’ll park there and instead of taking the elevator, we can take back stairs.”
“There are back stairs. How did you learn about those?”
“I texted Jack while you were looking for your mother’s things.”
“How will we get through a locked door?”
I parked the SUV and pulled out my phone. “Jack will be down in less than a minute.”
“What about Mom?”
“She’s inside her room.”
Dani had her lower lip tugged between her teeth as I sent Jack a text telling him we were here.
When I opened her door, she stood, beach bag in hand and looked up at me, her navy eyes again covered by sunglasses. “I don’t like feeling that I need to ask your permission to enter a room—like my mother’s.”
“Don’t think of it like that.”
“How should I think of it?”
Placing my hand in the small of her back, I willed myself not to think about the physical connection as I guided her toward the door. “Think of it as staying safe.”
My touch was only a brief contact, yet the familiarity I felt with her was wrong. The longing I tried to suppress to once again feel my lips on hers was also wrong.
The door Dani had exited earlier in the day opened as we approached. Jack Webb was on the other side. As we came closer, he handed me a key. Next time, I’d be able to get us in and out of this door without taking him away from his assignment.
“Is that a key to this door?” Dani asked as she pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head.
“Yes, ma’am.”
As we stepped into the hallway, Dani pointed to our left. “That was where Becky came from.”
“The staircase is through this door,” Jack said, opening the barrier on the right. Our footsteps echoed on the metal steps within the cement-enclosed stairway. The door on the second floor opened without an issue. We followed Jack as we made our way to Mrs. Sinclair’s room.
“The staircase must be within security,” Dani whispered. When I met her gaze, she added, “We didn’t have to enter a code.”
“The staff uses it,” Jack said.
“If they do…” she said.
“Anyone could,” I finished.
