Chapter 25
Stryker
“Hold this, will ya?” Sinclair asks, passing me yet another business card given to him like I’m his butler instead of respecting my position as his personal guard for the night.
At this rate? I’m beyond thankful for the dental insurance my job provides, because we’re only thirty minutes in and I’ve spent the better part of it grinding my teeth.
Of course I got saddled with the eldest Sinclair heir.
He’s a smug, entitled asshat that’s pissed off more people in this world than he’s helped.
But they’re a powerful family, and if I can swallow my pride enough to score this contract for Thorne Security, it might be the win I need for my father to finally choose me to take over.
Tonight is a prime example that I can put the company’s future over my own ego, which is crucial in leadership positions.
Sebastian would sooner set the bridge on fire while he was standing on it than play second fiddle to a Sinclair, thinking it made him lesser in some way, but he doesn’t understand.
Clients might think they’re ‘better’ because they can afford and need personal security, but if they really were, they wouldn’t rely on us to keep them safe. Wouldn’t trust us with their lives.
Real power is subtle, not flexed. Confidence in yourself, something that you don’t feel the need to prove to the masses.
My brother doesn’t get that, still feels like he has something to prove. And I hate that he’s convinced it’s him against the world, doesn’t trust that I’d have his back enough to even factor me into the equation like I’m nothing to him.
I was four when he was taken. Useless. But I’m not a little boy anymore, and I’ll protect my family to my dying breath; whether he wants me to or not.
“Damn, who’s the hottie?”
I follow his gaze, my heart skipping a beat before doubling down.
Kiara.
She’s absolutely stunning. Barely any make up, but she doesn’t need it.
Between the vibrant purple hair and simple, yet extremely flattering silver and white dress that plays up her curves?
She’s the most beautiful woman in the room.
An angel dressed like sin, and much to my frustration, every other soul here has taken notice.
How could they not? This place is filled with entitled bastards looking to blow their money on pretty things to rub in their enemy’s faces.
Kiara’s laughing at something the guy next to her says, and I try to be as discreet as possible as I dig my nails into my palms behind my back, adopting a military pose to hide my reaction.
I’m not stupid; I did my research after that day in the clinic. Killian Sterling, Kiara’s brother and a doctor at Mercy Med. He must have brought her as his plus one, seeking donations for the hospital. But I don’t think he realizes that this isn’t the charity auction it was pitched as.
It’s a networking event for rich and powerful mysts. Ones that have something of value, namely, the black market variety. But also have plenty of experience taking advantage of ‘charity’ loopholes for tax breaks. It’s not a benefit for people supporting a worthy cause, it’s a front.
Seeing the head of Titan Industries, a man that’s made his money not from oil like he claims, but as an arms dealer, approaching my mate is enough to make me crack. Breaking away from my client, I storm over and gently grab her upper arm, pivoting her to face me. “Baby, you need to leave. Please.”
She frowns at me, but before she can utter a word, her brother interrupts. “Excuse me, but who the hell are you? And where the fuck do you get off talking to my sister like that? Get your hands off her.”
Before I can ream him a new one for being stupid enough to bring his sister into a den of vipers, Sinclair catches my eye and nods to the men around him, silently commanding me to do the job I was hired for.
Seething, I return to my client’s side, who doesn’t hesitate to scowl at me for shirking my duties.
I’m supposed to be his shadow the entire night.
Not only do the Sinclairs have several items on the auction block tonight, but their family is worth a fortune.
They weren’t blessed with the powers to secure their position, so they outsource.
If I can prove my capabilities tonight? It’ll secure the company an annual, multi-seven figure contract. I can’t blow this.
Still… I can’t help my gaze from constantly drifting back to the most vulnerable treasure in the room.