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Dr. Gaines gulped, pushing his glasses further up his nose. “Right. My apologies.” He looked between Roman and Abel. “What happens now?”
“You retire,” Roman stated. “You move to an island and chase women half your age. And you never speak about me to anyone. Ever. I’ll be watching you.”
Roman turned and left before he changed his mind and throttled the doctor. Abel closed and locked the door, following Roman over to the huge windows. The glass was one way. His prisoners could see out, but nobody could see in. It was also soundproof and bullet proof. He found it added to the mental stress of his prey—being able to see outside but gain no help.
“Contact Scott and Iain for me, will you? Inform them they’ll be taking an extended vacation,” Roman said, watching as a helicopter grew bigger in the distance. He wondered if it was heading to the hospital and if Angela was about to have a very busy day.
“Lucky them,” Abel commented, making a note in his phone. “Will do. And Morrigan?”
“She’ll be taking an all-expenses-paid vacation in about three months herself,” Roman admitted, turning to Abel.
“Ah, I thought so,” Abel replied easily enough.
Roman was glad he didn’t need to explain. Someone like Dr. Gaines was too much of a liability to be allowed to retire in the traditional sense. Scott and Iain would follow him closely for a few months, then Morrigan would make sure the good doctor suffered from a tragic drowning accident as he snorkeled on the reef or something. He wouldn’t keep his final decision from Luca, but he also wouldn’t volunteer the information. Knowing his brother, he likely already knew what the outcome would be. But he’d had to at least try to talk Roman out of it. It was just his way.
All the men and women he employed had their strengths. Some, like Abel and Salvatore, could be relied upon to perform every role within his empire. But some, like Morrigan, had very specific talents. She had come to him from his mother’s family, trained by his maternal grandfather to infiltrate and incapacitate the enemy. Roman didn’t approve of the techniques used, nor the young age at which Maria had first been indoctrinated as the family’s assassin.
When he killed his father and renounced his family, Maria came to him for work and protection. She wanted out of the family as much as he did. Recognizing her skill, as much as her need to escape the circumstances she was born into, he readily agreed. She adopted the name Morrigan and chose not to reside in the Omertà complex with most of his crew. He didn’t mind. He knew she was loyal. As far as he was concerned, she had been forced to do enough things. Now it was time for her to make her own choices. Besides, she was lurking around the building more often than not anyway.
“How is the lovely Morrigan?” Abel asked. “I haven’t seen her for two weeks.”
“Still not interested, I’d wager. But I’d like to see you ask her out again,” Roman added with a grin. Three weeks ago, Abel brought Morrigan a bunch of flowers he had no doubt stolen. Morrigan lit them on fire.
Abel crossed his arms over chest, looking miffed. “Women are so touchy these days.”
Roman snickered a little. “Have you ever thought it could be you and not them?”
“Ridiculous,” came Abel’s prompt response.
Roman grinned and shook his head. Abel’s ego was a thing of beauty. His head was so big that Roman often questioned how he could walk through average doorways.
Abel itched at his thigh, swearing softly, before looking back up. “Now that Dr. Gaines is out of the way, what are you going to do about the new job opening?”
Roman had thought about that. In fact, he had thought about little else for the past month. It was one of the reasons why Dr. Gaines had remained his guest for so long. Making a final decision about him meant making a decision about her. “I’m going to ask if a certain mace-happy doctor would like the job.”
Abel gaped at him. “You’re dreaming. There’s no way. She hates you more than she hates me. And that’s saying a lot considering she just threatened my balls with puss.”
Roman scowled at his friend for a moment before adopting a superior look. “Luckily for me, I’m not you. I know just where to strike when it comes to women.”
“The booty?” Abel guessed.
Roman snorted. “No. See, this is what I mean. You’re useless.” He shook his head, tsking. “I’m referring to the heart.”
Abel’s frown was disapproving before he adopted a more neutral expression. “You plan to seduce her? For real?”
“What if I did?” Roman asked, watching Abel closely. His friend shrugged his heavy shoulders, turning to look out the window instead of replying.
Abel always had something to say, which is how Roman knew Abel had feelings for Angela. He couldn’t blame him, but Roman didn’t like the fear that spread in his chest. Fear that Angela might have feelings for Abel in return. After all, they had been spending a lot of time together, what with Abel following her. Plus, she actually talked to Abel when she visited Luca. Unlike her cold shoulder act with himself.
“I don’t think you should,” Abel admitted, facing Roman once more. “She’s a good person who has had something bad happen to her. She’s not like us, Roman.”
“You mean bad people who occasionally have good things happen?” Roman’s jaw clenched and his heart began to pound a little faster. Abel’s eyes ran over his face, and Roman knew his friend could read him. They were too close for him not to see the anger in Roman’s eyes.
“You’re not a bad person, Roman,” Abel told him, moving closer and placing a hand on his shoulder. “In fact, you’re the best person I know. Well, used to. The doctor may have you beat.” He grinned, giving him a shove.
Roman rocked back on his feet but regained his balance quickly, the tension leaving him as he relaxed. Abel didn’t like her. Not like that anyway. Roman could tell the difference. “I don’t mind being second place. For once,” he added with a smile. “But you’ll be happy to know I wasn’t referring to seducing her heart.”
He didn’t mention he had already seduced her body. He hadn’t mentioned the sex to anyone. And seeing Abel’s reaction just now confirmed he had made the right decision to keep it private. His loyal friend was likely to punch him in the face if he found out. He continued, “You mentioned she donated that hundred large to a shelter?” Abel had messaged him the moment he saw Angela carrying the familiar duffle bag into the Lighthouse Resource Center.
