* * *
I didn’t think he would answer the phone.
It rang out the first time and went through to voicemail. I could have given up and left a message, but I needed to speak to him.
Sinclaire needed to hear what was happening from me, what had happened.
I called again, and that was when he answered on the second ring.
“Taylor?” His voice sounded strange, faraway, and the name Taylor felt odd, reminding me of the fact I’d been a lie to a man who truly was my friend.
“Sinclaire, it’s me, yes.” The last time we spoke, he’d told me he was done with me. He found out about Luc, knew he was basically a fraud, and then came to my house only to find Luc leaving.
The worst thing was that the night before, Sinclaire had kissed me. My head was as crazy and foggy now as it was back then. One thing that was certain though was, I needed to bring the skeletons out of the closet.
“How’ve you been?” he asked.
“Not that great. Can I talk to you?” I sat on the window ledge in my bedroom and gazed outside looking at Dante and Gio, who were walking around on the front lawn. More guys were called in on the premises after Victor had been sighted.
“We’re talking, aren’t we?” Again, he sounded so distant and cold. It was understandable.
“Sinclaire, a lot has happened over the last few weeks. More than that.”
“Tell me about it. It’s been awhile since Roose approved vacation leave for three members of our team to be away at once.”
God, that’s what he thought.
“Yes, it must be hectic.” I didn’t know what the hell to say next.
“It’s pretty quiet with Jefferson and Holloway gone.”
Gone.
They were dead. Both of them, and I didn’t know how I was supposed to tell him that, and shit, anyone could have been tapping into this line right now and listening in. I could put him in danger by saying too much.
I never thought this through. I released a slow thoughtful breath and ran a hand through my hair.
“Sinclaire, please take care of yourself.” That was the best that I could say.
“What? You called me to tell me to take care of myself? That’s rich. Are you shacked up with the mobster?” His voice boomed across the line harsh and raw.
“Please, take care of yourself, and if you don’t mind, could you check in on Gigi?”
“Amelia…” That was strange, him calling me that too. He never did. “You sound weak… What’s going on?” He knew something was wrong.
He knew me well enough to know when things weren’t okay. It was nice to know that even when he was mad as hell with me and probably wanted nothing to do with me he still cared.
I paused for a moment to contemplate what I could say to him. “I never told you this. But I think you’re the only person I ever truly trusted wholeheartedly. I never told you much, but I didn’t need to. I don’t even think that I trusted Max or Gigi the way I trusted you.”
“What’s going on? Has he done something to you?” Worry was heavy in his tone.
“No, he would never. I just need you to promise me you’ll take care of yourself.” I thought of something. We had a code from when we were in trouble but dealing with the situation. “Be like a golden eagle riding on a horse.”
He went quiet knowing instantly what I meant.
“Amelia.”
“Goodbye, Brad.” That was his name.
