Our faces are inches apart as she slides her fingers out from beneath mine, the warmth of her body seeping through the fabric of my shirt as I lean closer to open the door.
“I don’t think you’re helpless, Sinclair. But until the threat against you is neutralized?—”
“You promised my father you’d take care of me; I get it.” She sighs as she slides into the seat. “Everyone always wants to manage me. No one believes I can do things myself.”
“You think I want to manage you?”
She shakes her head with a humorless laugh. “Come on. I know you work for my father, but I see you with him and Sullivan. You’re all buddies. They’ve always tried to wrap me up in cotton wool.”
“They love you and want you to be safe.”
She sighs, stroking Monty absentmindedly. “I love them too. But it’s suffocating. At least when…”
Her face closes off. I can guess what she was about to say. ‘At least when her brother was alive, she had an ally.’ He was a daredevil, a free spirit like Sinclair. The two of them always had each other’s backs. I admired that about him. How he knew how to love and protect her without dimming her personality. Shehasn’t been the same since he died. She’s always had a smart mouth. But her eyes used to light up when she doled out the sass.
Not anymore.
I lean inside the car and hand her the seatbelt. Monty being on her lap prevents me from doing it myself like I’d prefer.
Her face is pinched as she takes it from me.
I clear my throat. “We’re going to be spending a lot of time together. You can call me Den if you like.”
“I’ve never heard anyone call you Den before.”
“No one does.”
“Then why would I?”
“I thought it might make you feel more comfortable.”
She studies me with narrowed eyes. “Do you want to call me Sin? My friends do.”
“Do you want me to?”
She smiles sweetly. “Nope.”
She reaches for the door handle and slams the door closed, then looks at me through the glass, triumphant like she’s won a game I didn’t know we were playing.
I take a slow breath in and let it out through my nose slowly. Jenson would have traded places with me, given the chance. He’s always gotten along with Sinclair the best out of the three of us. She likes his jokes.
But Sterling insisted.
“Denver’s the best we have.”
He knows everything about me.
And somehow he still trusts me with his daughter.
I can’t let him down.
Sinclair ignores me as I sink into the driver’s seat, but she stiffens as I reach toward her.
“I already did it.” She lifts her eyes from her phone as I check her belt is fastened correctly and there are no twists in it.
Monty licks the side of my face, and the scent of meaty dog breath coats my cheek.
Sinclair snorts. “Monty,” she scolds, quickly placing her thumb to my face.
