She Hired a Cold Bodyguard to Protect Her From the World — Then He Became the Only Place She Felt Safe
Chapter 9
Meeting Ava’s family was completely different.
Victoria invited Daniel to dinner at the Sinclair estate.
The house was enormous.
The staff moved silently.
The dining room looked like a hotel.
Daniel felt like an outsider.
Ava squeezed his hand under the table.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
Her father, Richard Sinclair, studied him.
“So you’re the bodyguard.”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes.”
“How long do you intend to protect my daughter?”
“As long as she wants me to.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“That’s not an answer.”
Daniel remained calm.
“I’ll stay as long as Ava needs me.”
“And after that?”
Ava looked at her father.
“Dad.”
Richard ignored her.
“People around Ava always want something.”
Daniel answered quietly.
“I know.”
“What do you want?”
Daniel looked at Ava.
“I want her to be happy.”
Richard leaned back.
“That’s convenient.”
Dinner continued awkwardly.
Afterward, Ava found Daniel outside.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.”
“My family can be difficult.”
“Mine can too.”
She laughed.
“My mother loves you.”
“Your mother doesn’t.”
“She’s complicated.”
Daniel smiled.
“Family usually is.”
Then Ava’s father appeared.
“Daniel.”
He looked at him.
“Can we talk?”
Ava stepped away.
Richard said:
“I don’t trust easily.”
“I understand.”
“But I’ve watched you these past months.”
Daniel waited.
“You’ve never once used Ava’s fame to benefit yourself.”
Richard looked toward the house.
“You protect her even when no one is watching.”
Daniel nodded.
“That’s what I promised to do.”
Richard held out his hand.
“Then I can respect you.”
Daniel shook it.
It wasn’t approval yet.
But it was the beginning.
