“Don’t you want to wait for the others?” I look over to where Sullivan is giving out instructions to his staff. Sinclair folds her arms as she says something to him.
“No, they’re fine.” Sterling holds my small wrap out, slipping it around my shoulders.
“Boss?” Denver clears his throat as he walks over. “Sullivan’s suggested I take Sinclair home instead of him. He says he still has things to finish up here.”
“Good. As long as she’s safe.”
“I always make sure she’s inside and the door is bolted before I leave,” Denver says, his expression serious.
“Thanks, Denver. See you in the morning.” Sterling pats his shoulder, and Denver strides in the direction of Sinclair, who looks like she’s complaining to Sullivan, shaking her head as she talks.
As we exit, the cold night air hits me, and I lean gratefully against Sterling’s warm, solid side as he wraps his arm around me and holds me close.
“Safe flight,” Sterling calls to Mal as he heads to his waiting car.
“See you in a week,” Mal replies as he opens the rear door.
Sterling reaches out and opens our car door for me. His warm lips catch my cheek in a kiss. “In you get, it’s cold.”
I turn to smile at him but freeze as a man pushes off from the wall a little further up the street and moves toward us.
“Hell no,” I mutter, watching Rory get closer. I knew it was too good to be true hoping he’d actually listen to me and keep away.
Sterling tenses and whips his head around, causing Rory to freeze in his tracks.
“Get in the car, Hallie,” he says calmly.
I glare at Rory, my fingers tingling with the urge to run at him and bite and scratch. Why can’t he leave me alone?
“You look… That’s a nice dress,” Rory says, his eyes dropping over my body.
I pull my wrap around me tighter, but it does little to hide my nipples, puckering against the fabric from the cold. Rory doesn’t even try to hide the way he’s zeroed in on them. Maybe he’s been drinking. He looks kind of glassy-eyed.
Sterling positions himself in front of me. “You either believe you’re brave, or you’re just plain dumb.”
“Better than being old and delusional,” Rory says, tipping his chin as he tries to look down at Sterling. But Sterling’s at least four inches taller, so the move is pointless.
“Please get in the car, Hallie,” Sterling says again in a deep, confident gravel.
I lay a hand on his bicep and look out from behind him at Rory. “He’s not worth it,” I say as his muscles harden beneath my grip.
“Sterling? Everything all right?” Mal calls from the sidewalk where he hasn’t gotten into his car yet.
Rory looks at Mal, then back at Sterling and snorts. “What’s the matter, old man? Scared your hip will give out if you fight me? You going to get your ancient buddy there to help you?”
“We’re fine,” Sterling calls back to Mal.
“Can we go?” I ask, my hand still curled around his solid arm.
“It’s okay, Hallie. I’m a gentleman and I’ll settle this like one,” Sterling replies, his hardened eyes pinned on Rory like a hunter lining up their shot.
“How’s that?” I whisper.
A muscle in his neck tenses, his vein pulsing steadily next to it. “In private.”
He helps me into the car before sliding into the rear seat beside me. He shuts the door, ignoring the slow clap coming from Rory on the sidewalk.
“Think you can buy me off, old man?” he says, tapping on the window with a leery grin. “Well, bravo, nice try. But I’m not going anywhere.”
