Page 67 of Defending Love
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Under normal assignment circumstances, I would have left Dani alone to talk to her brother. These weren’t exactly normal circumstances. While I would have preferred if she put the call on speaker, I gathered from the way her jaw was set, I was pushing my luck.
Going to the window, I gazed down at the busy streets. There was a monster truck something or other happening at Lucas Oil and an Indiana Pacers game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The rest of the city was walking around as if the woman I loved wasn’t in danger.
From the one-sided conversation, I could construe the part I wasn’t able to hear, but that wasn’t the same as hearing it. It’s like inferring the fingerprints are Damien Sinclair’s.
When I heard Dani say goodbye, I turned back to her.
Since we’d returned from Florida, she’d changed her clothes to a loose-fitting sweatshirt and leggings that hugged her sexy legs. Her feet were bare, showing her pink toenails. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. In a word, she was stunning.
“I suppose you want to know what he said,” Dani said, standing.
“Speakerphone would have been nice,” I said with a grin.
“You’re pressing your luck.”
I took a step toward her and reached out for her waist, tugging her hips toward mine. “You’re my assignment, Dani. I need all the information to keep you safe.”
“You can’t make me think the worst about my brother. Damien and I have always been close. I was his best woman, like a best man, at his and Ella’s wedding. Damien can be a pain in the ass, but he’s not capable of taking a contract out on anyone, much less our father.”
I placed my finger on her luscious pink lips. “Why did he call?”
“I was right. Mom told him I’d left Florida. She also told him that Stephen Elliott called her.”
“Does Damien know why?”
“Mom said he was checking on her, and she thought it was sweet.”
“Damien’s thoughts?” I asked.
“He joked that Stephen will probably bill for the call.”
“I could hear your end. You told him you came home early because you needed a break from thoughts of your father. That was good.”
Dani’s lips curled. “And you said I couldn’t lie.”
“I admit” —he kissed my nose— “you sounded convincing.”
“The main reason for his call is Monday’s executive board meeting. We need to fill Dad’s seat. Stephen has been campaigning for us to bring on a man named Preston Ayers.”
Titling my head, I repeated his name in my thoughts. “Why do I know that name?”
“If you spend much time in Indianapolis, you’d know him or of him. He’s an arrogant ass if you ask me. He’s also the top nominee for governor in the next round of elections. Our current governor can’t run again due to term limits.”
I took Dani’s hand and led her out to the living room.
She stopped, her gaze going to the kitchen. “I know you won’t drink wine, but I would like a glass.”
“I’ll have water.”
“Come in the kitchen,” she said with a grin. “I’m not an entitled assignment, and you’re not an entitled bodyguard. We can both get our own drinks and come back out here.”
“Tell me why Mr. Elliott is campaigning for Preston Ayers to be on the Sinclair executive board."
Dani freed a wineglass from the under-the-cabinet rack. Near the refrigerator was an already-opened bottle of cabernet. She removed the wine stopper. “I hope this is still good.” She poured a small amount in her glass, swirled the deep-red liquid, and took a small sip. Her smile returned. “Still good.” Opening a cabinet, she removed a tall glass and handed it to me. “Ice and water are in the refrigerator door.”
Back in the living room, she turned on her fireplace.
