“Call it intuition.”
Jaxon narrowed his eyes. “I’d like to think romance still exists. Now, if you ask my brothers, they’ll tell you that no woman could ever want to be with me.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’m a playboy at heart. But I’m not a cad. I know who and what I am and choose not to put a woman through that.”
“According to the newspapers, Sinclair is the playboy of the family.”
He snorted. “Haven’t you ever heard don’t believe everything you read? He is not a playboy. You bet he’s been seen in photographs with a few women. That goes with the territory or being on a charity board and attending yearly events.”
“More than a few.” A charity board. That was interesting.
“You seem like you care.”
“Not in the least.” But the ache in my heart told me otherwise.
“You don’t need to lie to me. But I can assure you that he prefers spending time alone. He’s dated more for the sake of appearance at required events and fundraisers. That’s it.”
There was more to the story, but it wasn’t my place to pry. Especially since as soon as this war was finished, I would return to my life. “He’s allowed to enjoy his life the way he wants. We’re not compatible.”
“I don’t know about that. My brother hasn’t shown interest in anyone for a very long time, Josette. That means something and from what little I’ve seen about you, the time you’ve spent together has reminded him that time is precious. And very short. While he’s a gruff asshole at times, trust me on this, he does havea heart. He just had it broken. Now don’t you tell him I confessed anything to you.”
“He’s complicated and a pain in the ass.” We both laughed after my admittance.
“Yes, that he is.”
“He has his reasons. That’s what you’re trying to tell me, isn’t it?”
Jaxon looked at me, nodding slowly.
I zipped my lips with my fingers. “Sinclair told me about Sadie and seeing him with Indiana, I know he does. He’s just so angry inside, but like a light switch, he’ll flip and do something incredibly nice like try and cook me breakfast. Even though he almost burned down my kitchen, his heart was in the right place.” I was able to laugh freely, the strange memory one that I’d remember fondly.
“He told you about Sadie. Wow.” He seemed shocked, his eyebrows furrowed. “He never talks about her. Ever. Even to family.”
“Yes, he did. I noticed the tattoo on his arm. I didn’t know it was a subject off limits.”
After he nodded, it was obvious he was embroiled in thought. “That means he told you everything.”
“That Sadie was killed by one of your enemies.”
Very slowly he turned his head. “Yes, she was. She was doing her job of protecting the family.”
“Then she did it well.”
“No, she couldn’t, but she died trying. She couldn’t save Callista.”
Wait. What?
“Who’s Callista?”
Jaxon obviously realized I’d only been told part of the story. He sat back in the seat, glancing toward Indiana before returning his gaze to my face. “His girlfriend. Correction. His fiancée. They’d just left dinner where he’d asked her to marry him.”
CHAPTER 21
Sinclair
I was eager to learn the identities of the people involved with the dummy corporation who owned the warehouse. From what Enzo had told me on the way over, he’d been lucky to find anything, let alone something linking them to Santos.
