AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Roman watched her breasts plump, wanting to see them naked again. “Not even if it’s this place?”
“What?” Angela asked with a shake of her head.
“I understand you’re trying to save this place,” he began. “The current owner is content to let this place be used as a community resource center as long as he doesn’t have to do anything himself. He has a soft spot for the nun. But not soft enough to reach into his own pockets for repairs. All costs fall to Sister Philomena.”
“How do you know all that?” Angela wanted to know.
“I know a lot of things. I have my finger on the pulse of a lot of people in this city,” he pointed out.
“Well, get your finger off mine,” she grumbled. “I don’t need or want your help, Roman.”
“Really? I’ll just take my hundred grand back then, shall I?” he asked with a quirk of his brow.
“Fine,” Angela agreed readily. “You go and tell Sister Pip that you want your money back, and I’ll head down to the police station, shall I?”
When Angela glared at him, he glared right back. She was something else. Eventually, he sighed. “I have to be honest with you, Angel. I think you have the easier job. I’m pretty sure that nun terrifies me.” When she laughed, he felt like the king of the world. It was loud and boisterous, and it made her eyes light up. He grinned at her, sharing her amusement. “Don’t laugh. It’s the truth.”
“Sister Philomena is unique, I’ll give you that,” she allowed.
“So, how about you save me from the scary nun and agree to my terms.” He did his best to keep it casual, wanting the stick that was typically up her ass in his presence to stay out. “You agree to be the personal physician of Omertà Corp, and I’ll donate enough money to the Lighthouse Resource Center that Sister Pip could paint the walls in gold leaf if she chose to.”
“Wait...” Angela held up a hand in a classic stop gesture. “Private physician? You want me to be your doctor?”
The look of absolute horror and disbelief on her face was a little insulting, but Roman sucked it up. “Not just my doctor. The doctor for my corporation—Omertà. That includes dozens of people under my employ. As well as others on a case-by-case basis. You could choose whom you treated—within reason. I won’t force you to treat someone if you’re uncomfortable. But I would need to know I can rely on you.”
Angela stared at him in silence for a moment before asking, “What happened to your last doctor?”
“His mistake almost cost Luca his life. Do you really want to know?” Roman questioned in return.
“I don’t want to know anything about you,” Angela was quick to respond, backpedaling.
Roman chuckled. “Liar,” he said seductively. “We both know you loved what I did to you against your kitchen wall. I’m sure you’d like to know what else I can do.”
“You’re wrong,” Angela said stubbornly, a lovely shade of pink flushing her cheeks. “And it won’t happen again. I mean it, Roman.” She met his eyes. “My body can’t be bought.”
He frowned. “I’m offering you payment for your medical knowledge and services. I didn’t mention your body—nor do I intend to. I don’t need to pay for sex, Angel.”
“Good to know,” she said with a dip of her head. “But the answer is still a resounding no.”
“Think of all the people you could save,” Roman urged. “Luca tells me this place is a refuge for old and young alike. You treat hookers and veterans, LGBQT youths, and everyone in between. It’s a place to get food, shelter, medical help, and even mental support. Correct?”
“Yes,” she confirmed, casting her eyes over the sad-looking building. “Why would you want to be involved in any of that?”
“I don’t,” Roman assured her quickly. “But you do. And I need a physician I can trust. It’s a good deal.”
Her green eyes swung to his. “You trust me?”
He weighed up whether to tell her the truth or not. In the end, he decided it was best. For some reason, lying to her left a bad taste in his mouth. “I do.”
“Well, you shouldn’t,” she snapped.
Roman sighed, feeling frustrated. She was so damn prickly. It was interesting because, usually, he was the grumpy asshole. He ignored her waspish attitude in favor of coaxing a yes out of her instead. “Come on. You already spent my money. Why don’t you spend some more?”
“That was a one-off,” she informed him primly. “I don’t want your blood money.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “And why do you assume my money has blood on it? I own half the businesses in the city. And hundreds more around the world. I don’t need to kill people for wealth, Angel.”
“Stop calling me Angel,” she said. But it held no heat. He was wearing her down. He just knew it. “And if you don’t need to, then why do you? Kill people, I mean.”
