Page 1 of Defending Love

Eli

A s 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.

If those occurred, it could be chalked up to an automatic loss. Wins came by avoiding or evading danger and developing a system of mutual trust.

According to Ben, Sinclair wanted both physical protection and increased technical surveillance. The threat from his brother peaked recently due to family drama. The Guardian’s protection would be temporary, but the technology we left behind would keep the Sinclairs safe beyond our stay.

The three of us turned as Silas Hartman walked toward the receptionists.

“Fuck,” Tara whispered. “Do you think Ben told Sinclair what this team will cost?”

“I don’t think Sinclair cares,” Deidra answered. “I checked out his portfolio. He has the capital. Something spooked him, and he wants to protect his wife and sister.”

With a grin, Silas came toward us. “Old gang’s here.”

That wasn’t completely true, and that memory was enough to make my smile dim.

Silas patted me on the arm. “How are you doing, Eli?”

“Fucking lethal as always.”

The two women laughed.

A young man with strawberry blond hair, wearing a suit, came our direction. “Eli Rhodes?”

I took a step forward. “Yes, sir, I’m Eli Rhodes.”

He offered his hand. “I’m Johnathon, Mr. Sinclair’s assistant. Please follow me.”

Johnathon swiped his badge to open the door to the far-right of the reception desk. The long hallway led to a set of double glass doors. Another swipe of his badge and he opened the glass doors.

Nodding, I was impressed so far by the security measures within the office.

Down the hallway, Johnathon led me through an open door. The office inside appeared to be Johnathon’s space. He went to a desk and lifted a folder. Next, he knocked on one of the tall wooden-panel double doors before opening one. “Mr. Rhodes is here to see you.”

While I’d expected Damien Sinclair, I wasn’t expecting the two women standing near him.

Mr. Sinclair came forward, his hand extended.

“Mr. Rhodes, it’s nice to meet you.” He turned to the woman with the long dark hair wearing a skirt and blouse.

“This is my wife, Ella Sinclair.” I’d learned in my research that they’d only recently married.

Her name was Gabriella Crystal prior to their marriage.

Next, he turned to the other woman. I sucked in a breath at her penetrating dark-blue eyes and light-brown hair. She wore a white lab coat over her blouse and slacks.

My mouth went dry.

“This is my sister, Dr. Danielle Sinclair.”

Doctor.

Impressive.

I could assume that meant she was intelligent. However, I’d interacted with my share of people with an alphabet behind their names who were simultaneously inept at keeping themselves safe.

Straightening my shoulders, I nodded. “Eli, please. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Eli,” Mr. Sinclair repeated. “Please have a seat. We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

This was the part where he thought he was interviewing me.

“Leo Conner,” Mr. Sinclair said, “recommended that Ella and Dani be present during this process, as if you’re hired, you’ll be spending your time with the two of them.”

That was a good suggestion. Client compliance could make or break an assignment.

I unbuttoned my suit coat and took the chair near the windows; the other three found seats. While Damien’s wife sat on the sofa at his side and to my right, Dr. Sinclair sat in a chair facing me, her gaze narrowing as if she too were assessing me.

As Mr. Sinclair began talking about how he’d found Guardian Security and that he was impressed by our standing, my gaze repeatedly went to his sister. To be completely honest, after her assessment, she appeared tired and bored.

When there was a break, I spoke to the woman across from me. “Dr. Sinclair, I excel at reading people. I’m afraid this arrangement won’t work if you’re not on board. I sense that this is your brother’s idea, not yours.”

She looked up, her eyes opening wider and her chin jutting forward. “Eli…? That’s your name?”

Sassy—I was intrigued.

“Yes, Doctor, that’s my name.”

“My brother is a worrier. Our eldest brother is many things, but I don’t believe he’s dangerous.”

I turned to Mr. Sinclair. “You do.”

It wasn’t a question. I wouldn’t be here if he didn’t feel his concern was warranted.

“I do.” He turned to his sister. “You agreed.”

She pressed her pouty lips together. “I agreed to pacify you.” She waved her hand. “But now this seems unnecessary.”

“Amber.” Mr. Sinclair said, the name hanging in the air.

Dr. Sinclair nodded. “She’s batshit crazy.”

Mr. Sinclair turned to me. “Leo told me that you will be in charge of the team.”

I nodded. “Correct.”

“He said that the four of you have worked together on other occasions.”

“We have worked together and apart. We all know one another. However, I’m not certain this assignment requires four people. It could easily be accomplished with only two for half the expense.”

“Expense isn’t my concern.” Mr. Sinclair squeezed his wife’s hand. “Safety is.” He stood. “I want one person always available for Ella and one for Dani. It seems that by sharing the duties between two guards a piece, Guardian will be able to accomplish that goal.”

I stood, tugging my suit coat. “Once you’ve had a chance to speak to everyone, we can iron out the particulars of the assignment.” As my gaze found Dr. Sinclair’s, she stared my direction with a mischievous grin. “Doctor, please settle this with your brother. Otherwise, we may have problems.”

She sighed and looked at Mrs. Sinclair and back to me. “The only problem will be between Damien and me. If it will stop his high blood pressure, I can agree to a short time.”

A short assignment.

That was why I was here.

I bristled as I made my way back out to the waiting area. There was something about that woman—something that affected parts of me I was certain died on that fateful day. This assignment needed to be completed soon. Dr. Sinclair sparked my dried and crusty heart in a way I didn’t want or need.

“Thoughts?” Silas asked as I pushed through the door and faced my team.

“I don’t want to negate a possible threat.

” I patted him on the shoulder. “Talk to them. Give me your feedback. If we’re all agreed, we can do this.

We’ll get the Sinclairs set up with improved technology and pacify Mr. Sinclair with a stint of hands-on driving and protection.

” I shrugged. “Two weeks tops.” I turned to Tara. “Can you stay that long?”

“The senator will be back in a week.”

“Even better,” I said. “A week and we’re out of Indianapolis.”