Chapter 47

Kendall didn’t bother trying to think of an answer to her questions.

She’d come to her senses and realised that wanting anything with Lucien Sinclair was pure insanity, so she’d been on her best behaviour this past week. She needed to content herself with working close to him and getting to sleep in his bed.

So, that night, feeling sadder and lonelier than usual, Kendall took a hot shower, slipped into her favourite silk pyjamas and made her way to the balcony doors.

That phone call had left her rattled, even though she knew it was Sabrina. She still felt uneasy, and sleeping in his room always made her feel safer. Like, even if someone came for her, they would find her room empty.

Tonight, she slid the balcony door open once more, slipping into the room that couldn’t tell anyone her secrets. The mute walls watched her close the door and walk through the living room toward his bed area.

Placing her phone on the nightstand, she crawled into the bed that always felt warmer than hers. Her exhausted body melted into the soft mattress, and she closed her eyes with a contented sigh.

“Why’re you being so moody?” Sabrina demanded, following her dad around the kitchen.

He sighed, watching his tea as it brewed in the glass teapot.

“And why’re you doing this yourself?” she murmured in confusion. “Get Helena to do it.”

When he said nothing, she turned to yell.

“Don’t,” Lucien muttered. “Helena is asleep, don’t wake her.”

Huffing, Sabrina crossed her arms. “Dad, this isn’t fair! You said you’d help me establish my business!”

“I didn’t say to bring a bunch of random strangers into my house, nor did I say I would give them a business pitch to win you investors.”

“Well, you’re not investing!” she complained. “So, at least convince them to invest. You’re Lucien Sinclair! They’re in awe of your existence itself, of course, they’d invest if you told them to.”

“Firstly, I’m not investing because we agreed you’d get your business off the ground without my money. I’m only here to give you advice. Secondly, I would never tell anyone what to invest in,” he tiredly added. “Especially not if it’s the business of my inconsiderate, spoilt brat of a daughter.”

She gasped. “Hey. That’s mean…”

Pursing his lips, Lucien sighed. “I’m sorry, Brina. I’ve had a long day.”

She pouted, wrapping her arms around his side. He was softening up. “If you’re sorry, talk to my investors. Please, daddy?”

Lucien clenched his jaw. “Sabrina, I am not having an impromptu meeting at this time of the night. It’s past eleven p.m.”

“You were busy all day,” she whined. “This is the only time—"

He shrugged her off. “I’m tired. I’m not dealing with this.”

She stared at him, her mouth curving into a scowl. “Wow. You’re supposed to be my dad! Some father you are! You can’t even help me when I—”

“Who do you think you’re talking to, young lady?” he asked, turning on her. “Watch your goddamn tone.”

She gulped, shrinking away. Then, in a petulant outburst, she sobbed. “I don’t care! If I was Kendall, you would’ve done it for her!”

“Kendall wouldn’t be selfish enough to bring a bunch of strangers into my house in the middle of the night, and force me to use my influence for her in such a corrupt way!”

“Wow.” She huffed. “You’d swear Kendall’s your daughter instead of me.”

“I wouldn’t be that lucky.”

“Dad!”

“Sabrina.” He closed his eyes, sighing. “All I ever ask from you… is to let me rest when I’m tired.”

“And all I ask is that you help me like a dad should,” she said, staring at him with a heartbroken look on her face.

He poured his tea. “I’m going to sleep.”

“You’re not sleeping,” she stated sharply. “Not till you get those people to invest in my business.”

Lucien paused and then looked at her. “What? I’m not sleeping?”

“I won’t let you!”

He nodded. “Why don’t you try to stop me?”

Only minutes later, Sabrina stood at the open front door, stomping her foot in fury as she watched her father’s car zoom into the night.

“Dad!” she screeched, feeling betrayed.

Huffing, she kicked the door and glared at his disappearing taillights.

Lucien saw her, glancing in his rearview mirror, but he didn’t care. There were days when logic didn’t get through to his daughter, so he had to avoid her entirely. He’d had to do the same with her mother, so he was used to it.

That was why he owned a secret penthouse. A lot of his “solo business trips” were just him staying in his penthouse to get a break from Sabrina. Tonight, however, he didn’t feel like going there.

Thoughts of Kendall came to him, and he wondered if she was alright. Arlo hadn’t noticed anything suspicious, but Lucien decided it would be good for him to spend another night in that hotel room. Just for tonight, he wouldn’t make a habit of it.

She wouldn’t even know he was there.

Fifteen minutes later, Lucien was walking down the hallway to his hotel room. He checked his phone. It was nearly midnight.

He stopped outside Kendall’s door, looking at it as though he could see through the walls to check on her. With a sigh, he continued to his room and unlocked the door, stepping into the darkness.

The door shut behind him with a click, and he trudged tiredly through the dark room.

He placed his phone and keys on a coffee table and grabbed a water bottle. After several gulps of cool water, he wished himself good night and turned toward the bed.

His eyelids were already drooping as he peeled his t-shirt off, dropping it on the floor. He could only hope the sleep wouldn’t vanish once he got in bed, as it often did.

The bed being slightly messy didn’t surprise him since housekeeping wasn’t allowed into his room. He’d only slept in this bed once since he’d gotten the room, but he couldn’t remember whether or not he’d made the bed that day; it was over a week ago. Tossing back one side of the thick duvet, he rolled into the bed with a deep groan.

He covered himself and, lying on his back, sighed in contented bliss—finally, peace.

With his eyes closed, he listened to the silence, feeling exhaustion slowly pull him under. A soft sigh filled the silence.

Lucien didn’t register it. At his age, he made all sorts of sounds because everything hurt.

Another sigh, and then an unintelligible whisper. He inwardly raised a brow, but was too far gone into drowsiness to move.

A hand tumbled onto his chest.

Lucien jolted upright, turning in alarm to what felt like a vengeful ghost. He froze when he spotted the head of hair, slightly hidden by one of the many cushions.

Reaching behind him, he snapped on the bedside lamp and a warm glow spread over the bed.

Then he grabbed the cushion, lifted it and stared in shock at the sleeping girl beside him.

“Kendall?”