Page 7 of Defending Love
“Preston’s running for governor and could be a powerful ally for tax incentives. He’s looking to make his name better known.”
“Stephen, this isn’t the time,” I said. “Send us his CV, and we can look it over.” With that, the three of us turned toward the waiting car.
Ella’s mother stepped from the funeral home’s limousine as we neared. She gave Ella and me a hug. “You all need some rest.”
By the pounding in my temples, I knew she was right.
Mrs. Crystal turned to Ella. “Dylan’s all buckled in.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Making my way into the limousine, I took in the interior and briefly wondered how many grieving families had ridden in this same vehicle. The woman entering the seat next to the driver looked familiar.
As I stared her way, Ella settled next to Dylan’s car seat and followed my line of sight. “Deidra Burton from Guardian Security. She worked with me for a short time last year.”
“She’s back? I thought Guardian didn’t do repeat assignments.”
“I spoke with Benjamin Clark right after Dad’s murder,” Damien said as the car began to move, driving slowly through the large cemetery. “I asked if any of our previous bodyguards were available. At first, everyone was assigned elsewhere. Benjamin did whatever he does. Ms. Burton and Mr. Rhodes were reassigned to us.”
My lips pressed together.
Damien cocked his head to the side. “I thought you’d be happy. Eli is someone you know. He can accompany you to Florida.”
I lowered my voice. “I wish you would have spoken to me first. I’m fine with one of the other ones. Melinda has been with me for the last two weeks.”
“She has another assignment that needed her to return.”
That was what Eli said when he left a year ago—that he had another assignment. It wasn’t the only reason he left. Truly, at that time, Damien’s paranoia and overprotectiveness was unjustified. Darius and Amber pulled some stupid shit like breaking into our respective homes and planting cameras, but they weren’t a true danger.
Now things were different.
As the air around us rippled with tension, we were all well aware that this time, the danger was real.
My gaze went to Dylan, his eyes closed as the pacifier in his mouth moved in and out. “Ella and Dylan need the protection. Eli can work for them.”
Ella grinned at her husband. “Your insecure brother prefers I don’t have hot bodyguards.”
“I’m not insecure,” Damien said with a grin.
“Truth is that I asked for Deidra,” Ella said. “She’s effective and low stress. I don’t need any uncomfortableness added to my plate, especially with nursing Dylan.” She leaned forward. “I know we joke about how good-looking Eli is, but I thought you felt the same.”
That he’s handsome…yes.
That in the short time he was assigned to me, he wore down some of my insecurities about having him around. And also, that when he abruptly left with no further contact, I was affected more than I wanted to admit.
I sat taller. “It’s just a job, right?”
“Right,” Damien said. “Once the perp is found, we can go back to normal.”
With the lack of progress the police have made, his statement sounded like an impossible timeline.
“Have you thought,” I asked, “if Dad’s case could be like the insurance CEO in New York? Do you think someone is upset about one of our drugs?”
“Saline and insulin have been around for decades,” Damien said.
I had a thought. “Could it be Propanolol? If the person suffered from PTSD…” I left the sentence open-ended.
Propanolol not only saved Sinclair Pharmaceuticals after Darius almost ran the company into the ground, but it propelled our small company from obscure to a bona fide player in the pharmaceutical world.
