Denver returns it. “I’ll take good care of her.”
Sinclair snorts and scoops Monty up from the floor, whispering in his ear, “I’m so sorry. I know this means you’re stuck with him too.”
“Monty too,” Denver says to Sinclair. “No one will touch a single one of the few hairs he does have while you’re both under my protection.”
She shifts slightly, lifting her chin and flicking her eyes to him as she strokes Monty. “You’ll protect him as much as you will me?”
“Yes,” Denver replies instantly.
She stares at him a few seconds before looking back at me. “Fine,” she huffs.
I meet Denver’s eyes, and he holds mine without faltering. He is the best we have, like I just said.
And right now, Sinclair needs him the most.
“I trust you with my life,” I tell him.
“Boss.”
I narrow my eyes at him, praying I’m making the right choice.
“And, Denver?”
He holds my eyes.
“Now, I’m trusting you with my daughter.”
43
HALLIDAY
I toywith the short strands of hair at the base of Sterling’s skull as he carries me to bed.
“You look worried,” I breathe.
He’s had this deep line between his brows since everyone left.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to pretend with me.”
He sighs and traces his nose up my temple before kissing it.
“Last time Neil was near my family, two of them died. And even though he couldn’t have started the fire, until we know more, I don’t want to take any chances. Sinclair will get over having Denver with her. But I’m not going to lie, I’m angry at her for not telling us about the threats she’s been receiving.”
“She probably thought they were harmless notes until they wrecked her car.”
I slide my hand up over his shirt, bringing it to rest above his heart. It’s beating out a steady rhythm in his chest.
“I hate seeing you so worried. What can I do?” I press slow kisses up over his throat and along his jaw.
He groans as my lips travel to beneath his ear and I plant more soft kisses there.
“You can help me stop thinking for a while.”
“Stop thinking? You just want to feel, huh?” I toy with the buttons of his shirt as I unfasten them one by one.
“Something like that.”
