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“No!” Angela cut Brian off, wincing because she had spoken rather loudly. “No,” she repeated more quietly. “I don’t prefer it. Angela is fine. Thank you.” She didn’t know why, but the thought of Brian calling her Angel just didn’t sit right. She wasn’t sure when it became okay for Sal or Luca—or even Roman—to call her Angel... she just knew it didn’t piss her off like it used to.
Brian shifted uncomfortably, and Angela tilted her head in his direction. “Problem?”
“No problem,” Brian swiftly assured her. “It’s just... he’s not the one who gave you that hickey, is he?”
Her mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry. None of my business. I know. It’s just, I know when a man is trouble, Angela. And that man has it written all over him.”
She swallowed down her automatic defense of Salvatore and aimed for flippant. Brian was getting far too personal for her liking. “You can relax. That man is gay.” Or at least bi, she amended silently.
“He may not be interested in you romantically, but that doesn’t mean he can’t cause problems for you. How do you know him?” Brian pressed.
Angela was beginning to get pissed. What the hell was Brian’s problem? “I’m not sure why you’re being so persistent. He’s a friend, Brian. That’s all there is to it. Not that it’s any of your business,” she added, allowing her displeasure to seep into her voice.
Brian held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just... he works for Vincenzo Romano.”
Angela stilled, narrowing her eyes at her colleague. “Does he? And so what if he does?”
Brian scoffed a little, looking at her like she was an idiot. “Come on, Angela. You must know who Vincenzo Romano is. The man is the biggest criminal in the city.”
“A criminal? Why isn’t he in jail, then?” Angela cursed herself silently. Why am I defending Roman and his crew? Why I am challenging Brian? She needed to shut up, say goodnight, and get her butt home.
“You know he is, Angela. And the reason why he isn’t in jail is because he has cops in his back pocket,” Brian answered with some bite.
“Is that right? And how do you know that?” Angela questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.
Brian was looking frustrated, running his hand through his perfectly styled hair and messing it up. “People talk,” he explained. He placed his hands on both of her shoulders, turning her fully to face him. Softening his voice, he said, “I’m just saying be careful, Angela. They are not the type of people you want to get involved with.”
She carefully stepped back, dislodging his hands. She wanted to rub her shoulders where he had touched her. The sensation of his hands on her was not a pleasant one. “I’m not involved with anyone,” she assured him. “But thank you for the advice.”
He stared at her for a moment longer before he smiled and nodded. “Sure. Whatever you say. Just trying to be a good friend.”
Angela frowned. They weren’t friends. They were colleagues who, before this encounter, had been on friendly terms. But she was seriously reconsidering even that. Something about the other doctor rubbed her the wrong way. Still, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Smiling, she said, “Thanks, Brian. I appreciate it. But honestly, you have nothing to worry about. Salvatore and his partner are coffee buddies of mine. There’s nothing sinister going on. They’re good people—despite who you say Salvatore works for.”
Brian smiled back, shrugging his shoulders. “Sure. Well, I better get going. You have yourself a good night now.”
“You too. See you tomorrow.” Angela got in her car, locking her doors quickly. It was a move she found silly, even though she had been abducted from this exact location just months ago. What was Brian going to do? Nothing was the answer to that—and she knew it. But the fact that he knew who Salvatore was on sight, and was also aware of Roman’s reputation, bothered her.
Shaking it off, she pulled out, taking the exit in the opposite direction from where Brian’s car was headed. As she paused to give way, she found Sal waiting for her by some bushes. She considered ignoring him, but it made her feel petty. She didn’t unlock her doors, but she did press the button to lower the passenger-side window. “What the hell, Sal? You guys are still following me? I thought we were past this?”
Salvatore squatted down, resting his forearms on the window frame. “We check in on you sometimes, Angel. It’s no big deal. We do the same for everyone in our crew.”
“I’m not a part of your crew,” she was quick to point out.
Salvatore rolled his eyes. “Fine. You’re an employee. It’s a courtesy. It’s also for safety. Who was that guy? I don’t like him.”
“He’s a fellow surgeon. And what’s not to like? You only just met the guy.” She didn’t know why she was defending Brian, given he had caused her own hackles to rise.
“My instincts are legendary, babe. And they are screaming about that guy,” Sal informed her.
“Oh? Screaming what exactly?” Angela tapped her fingers against the steering wheel in agitation. Should she mention Brian knew who Roman was? And knew Sal worked for him?
“They’re screaming that he’s a douche,” Sal told her point blank.
Angela side-eyed him. “He’s a surgeon. Most of us are douches.”
“You’re not,” Sal said, smiling winningly. “How about you give me a lift home?”
