Welcome to the Sinclairs

Isabella

I was still mid-conversation with Margaret when the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air seemed to grow heavier, the background hum of voices dulling as though the room itself were holding its breath.

I turned instinctively, and there he was.

Logan Sinclair entered with the kind of presence that demanded attention without trying. His tailored suit hugged him perfectly, the deep navy fabric catching the light just enough to hint at its luxurious quality. Beside him stood a man I didn’t recognize, a wiry figure with a sharp gaze.

My stomach tightened as Logan’s eyes landed on me. They were just as I remembered—gray and cold, with an intensity that always made me feel like he could see right through me. For a moment, his gaze locked on mine, and time seemed to stretch impossibly long. I stiffened, every muscle in my body screaming to hold my composure.

Margaret, oblivious to the silent storm brewing, smiled brightly and waved him over. “Mt Sinclair! Perfect timing.”

I wanted to vanish into the polished floors as he approached.

“Please meet—”

“I know who she is,” Logan interrupted smoothly, his tone giving nothing away.

Margaret blinked, clearly surprised. “Oh! Well, that makes things easier. Hopefully, you’ll work great together.”

Logan’s lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Hopefully,” he echoed, his voice as measured and deliberate as ever. “I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss Munroe."

The words were polite enough, but there was an undercurrent to them, a weight that felt personal. My chest tightened, and I fought the urge to look away. Instead, I forced a professional smile, nodding. “Likewise.”

Before the tension could grow too thick, the man beside Logan extended his hand.

“Derek Wells,” he introduced himself, his handshake firm but not overbearing. “Executive Manager, though Logan sometimes calls me his sidekick.”

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the unexpected humor. “Nice to meet you, Derek,” I said, grateful for the lighter tone.

Derek grinned, his easygoing demeanor instantly putting me more at ease. “Don’t worry, I’m the friendly one in this dynamic duo. Logan’s just the scary boss man.”

“Derek,” Logan said, his voice carrying the faintest hint of warning.

“What? I’m just breaking the ice,” Derek replied, unfazed. “You could try it sometime, you know.”

Margaret laughed, clearly charmed. I managed a smile, though my focus remained on Logan. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me, and the weight of his gaze felt like a hook holding me in place.

“Well,” Margaret said, clapping her hands lightly. “I’ll leave you all to get acquainted."

As she walked away, Derek leaned in slightly. “You’ll like working here. Just stick with me, and I’ll make sure you survive.”

“Good to know,” I replied, my smile coming more naturally now.

Logan remained silent, his expression unreadable, but his presence loomed large. He finally spoke after a beat, his tone crisp. “Let’s not keep everyone waiting. Shall we?”

As the three of us moved further into the room.

Out of nowhere, Amy appeared, her heels clicking briskly on the polished floors. An armful of papers balanced precariously against her chest.

“Mr. Sinclair!” she called, her tone eager but tinged with urgency.

Logan stopped mid-stride, his expression as impassive as ever, though his brow lifted slightly. “Amy,” he greeted curtly.

Amy approached, clutching the stack of documents tighter. “I’ve compiled the data you requested. It’s all here—key metrics, projections, and comparisons. Everything.” She sounded proud, almost relieved, as though she’d been waiting for this moment to prove herself.

Logan nodded once, his movements calculated. “Good. Hand it over to her,” he said, gesturing toward me without looking in my direction.

Amy froze, her lips parting as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “To... her?” she asked, darting a quick glance at me. Her confusion was evident, but it was the hint of doubt in her voice that made me stand a little straighter.

“Yes,” Logan replied, his tone unchanging, though there was a dangerous edge to his calmness.

Amy hesitated, her fingers tightening around the papers. “But she’s new,” she blurted out before she could stop herself. “I mean, no offense, but this data is complex. I’m not sure she'll understand what to do with it.”

The air in the corridor seemed to freeze. Derek coughed softly, looking anywhere but at Logan, whose gray eyes sharpened into something icy.

“Are you doubting my decision, Amy?” Logan asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Amy paled, her confidence crumbling in real time. “N-no, of course not, Mr. Sinclair. I just—”

“Because it sounds like you are,” Logan interrupted, taking a deliberate step closer to her. His height and presence seemed to shrink the space between them. “Are you suggesting I made a mistake in assigning her this responsibility?”

Amy’s eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. “No! I didn’t mean that at all. I just thought—”

“That will be all,” Logan said, cutting her off again with an air of finality. He nodded toward the stack of papers in her hands. “Hand it over and leave.”

She fumbled with the documents, her movements clumsy as she tried to recover her composure. Finally, she thrust them toward me, her cheeks flushed. “Here,” she said softly, avoiding my gaze.

I took the papers, careful to keep my expression neutral even as a thousand thoughts ran through my mind.

Logan turned slightly, his gaze flickering toward me briefly before settling back on Amy. “I already have a secretary,” he said, his voice calm but pointed. “And she’s standing right here.” He gestured to me.

Amy opened her mouth as if to protest but thought better of it. “Understood,” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. With one last glance at Logan, she turned on her heel and hurried away, her earlier confidence completely shattered.

Derek, who had been silent through the entire exchange, shot me a look that was equal parts impressed and amused.

“Well,” he muttered under his breath, falling into step beside me. “Welcome to the Sinclairs.”