Chapter 16 #2
“You must hate your life. I honestly feel sorry for you. Bodyguards following you around. No privacy. No sense of security. How awful for a child.”
He laughed. “I assure you that I had an amazing childhood, Josette, so don’t feel sorry for me. I have everything I need. Now, answer the question. You are far too good for your life to be anything but what I described. But I’m curious. I need your admittance you had a Hallmark life.”
“To live vicariously through me?”
Very slowly he tilted his head toward me. The way his eyes pierced mine was gut-wrenching and thrilling.
Every chiding word annoyed me, pushed me.
I didn’t want the memories. I’d worked long and hard to drive them from my mind for protection.
“Do you not think that within every family there is tragedy? Sadness? Difficulties? Let me tell you, buddy, you’re wrong if you don’t.
My mom and dad adored each other and yes, they made certain I had a roof over my head, food on the table, and even a few toys here and there.
Maybe after what you grew up dealing with you might call it idealistic.
In a way it was. We loved and protected each other.
But we weren’t wealthy like you’ve obviously been all your life.
My father worked his ass off to provide for our family.
We had almost nothing, but we had everything.
And why? Because we had love and what we thought was the ability to fight our way through anything. Together.”
I was hot, so much so I clenched my fists to keep from screaming. Why was he like this? What did he hope to accomplish? Was he just torturing me?
“You made my point,” he said gruffly.
“Your point? I don’t even know what you point is other than you’re giving yourself an excuse to be an asshole! Well, guess what? I’m here to tell you that I don’t wear rose-colored glasses, at least not any longer. They were ripped off and crushed beneath my feet the day my father was killed.”
My voice had risen substantially and I was certain the bastard would be angry with me.
Fuck him.
I just didn’t care.
Turning away, I moved as close to the door as possible, wishing I could jump from the car at the next traffic light. But I had my baby to think about, and he was truly the only thing that mattered in my entire life.
Sinclair said nothing, his silence wrapping over me like a thick, suffocating blanket. The brooding bastard was trying to break me, stripping away my defenses piece by piece. Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t allow that to happen. I was stronger than that.
When he placed his hand on my thigh as he’d done before, I did defy him, jerking it away. His growl didn’t have the same effect as before. Maybe to him I was nothing but a toy, but I refused to be so easy for him to control.
“I’m sorry about your father, Josette. I really am. Losing anyone you love is difficult.”
“That’s why you refuse to care about anyone but yourself.” The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them.
“Caring is a weakness I can’t afford.”
“Again, how very sad for you because without caring and loving someone, life is lonely and cold.”
While there was some sense of sincerity in his voice, I refused to engage any further. I’d get through dinner and crawl under the covers where he couldn’t hurt me any longer. At least I had Indiana with me.
“Is that why you need an emotional support animal? Your father’s death?” He pulled the car next to the curb in front of a group of restaurants and I suddenly lost my appetite.
The thought of spending any time with him disgusted me.
“Among other reasons, but leave it alone, Sinclair. Please. I’ll answer your questions as required, but that subject is off the table.
And yes, I will love Indiana with all my heart because he won’t betray me.
He won’t leave me. He’s everything I need and want, and you and I aren’t going to be friends. ”
His chuckle was as annoying as his line of questioning. “I guess time will tell. However, we are going to enjoy a nice dinner together. And yes, Indiana is welcome inside the establishment.”
“What about your goons? Will they be joining us for a meal?” Why not pull out all the stops? How much worse could things get?
“You have a lot to learn about my world.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t want to know anything about your world. I’ve learned enough to know I want nothing to do with it.”
“Smart girl. I am curious. What do you think it entails?”
“Violence, bloodshed, and loneliness.” I could feel the heat of his stare, but I purposely ignored him. opening the car door. “Come on, baby boy. Let’s have an adventure.” Indiana immediately woofed, trying to crawl over me.
“Wait,” he said gruffly. “You stay inside this car until I’m certain it’s clear.”
Oh, my God. He couldn’t even go to dinner without fear of being killed.
I almost laughed seeing all four of his men jumping out, heading toward us as if required to open our doors like good little soldiers. As if Sinclair was a celebrity. Guards with guns capable of doing very bad things. How special.
When I was pressed tightly against Sinclair, the hard bulge sticking against my ribs made it clear that he was carrying a weapon. How many cold chills could I experience in one night?
I had no other choice but to allow him to lead us into a restaurant I’d never been to before.
One way out of my league. I gripped Indiana’s leash tightly, trying to catch my bearings.
I’d placed the harness on Indiana just in case I needed to explain the pup’s presence, but I could tell as soon as we walked inside the restaurant, the entire city catered to the man and his needs.
“Mr. Prince. So good to see you again. I see you have a couple companions with you tonight. Lovely to see. Would you like your usual table?” The girl was way too bright-eyed and happy to see him, her smile like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, as my mother used to say.
Long before she’d changed.
Before she’d chosen money over her own daughter.
No. I refused to allow the monster to take away years of healing.
“Yes, Diana, I would. Thank you very much. Oh, and make certain the chef knows we have a very special canine guest tonight. Have him prepare my favorite meal for all three of us.”
Why did his voice continue to create tingles and white-hot heat? I couldn’t understand the attraction any more now than before.
“Absolutely, sir. Right this way.”
“Your favorite meal? How else would a lonely man enjoy a meal?”
His grip on my hand tightened in response.
As the girl moved through the crowd of people, it became painfully obvious that Sinclair held a celebrity status by the way he was greeted. Men shaking his hand. Women fawning all over him, their seductive actions disgusting me.
One stopped us just prior to heading into another room, his hand held out. “Sinclair. Good to see you, buddy. I hear congratulations are in order.”
“For?” Sinclair asked as he shook the man’s hand. His grin was sly, as if he knew exactly what the man was suggesting. But I could tell there was no love lost between them.
“The Strathmore project. I heard there were several buyers interested in the prime location.”
My ears perked up. He was talking about the real estate housing Simply the Best.
“The deal isn’t done yet, Mark, but I’m certain you already know that.
Don’t you?” Sinclair said casually, as if it was no big deal.
But I sensed it was with him. He was angry.
Whoever was challenging the purchase hadn’t been expected.
Plus, he could eat the man alive. I did enjoy noticing the hint of fear in Mark’s eyes. The two were adversaries.
“Well, I’m sure the Prince family will come out on top. Let me know if I can help by chatting with a few people I know.” He pulled his hand free, darting a surprised glance in my direction.
“I’ll do that.” As soon as the man walked away, Sinclair’s fake smile faded, the same cold and angry look in his eyes I’d been exposed to on multiple occasions appearing.
I also noticed several of the patrons staring in his direction. A man of importance and wealth.
A man who could crush the life out of any person inside.
And one who would enjoy doing so without a single ounce of remorse.