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Angela tensed, picking up on the change in his demeanor. “What about them?”
Roman cleared his throat. “It’s you.”
She shook her head, bemused. “I’m sorry, what?”
“When I offered to pay you in exchange for your medical services here, the owner wasn’t too happy with the proposed changes. He didn’t give a rat’s ass about the cause or the community,” he explained.
“And you did?” Angela regarded him thoughtfully.
He shrugged. “I did after I met you.”
The simple words, spoken with such honesty, warmed her. “Roman...”
“It’s the truth,” he assured her. “Anyway, I made the douche an offer he couldn’t refuse. Then I put it in your name.”
She didn’t know how to feel about the unexpected revelation. She was in shock. “How can you do that without me? Don’t I need to sign something?”
“Technically, yes. It’s why the paperwork is still with my attorney. Officially, it’s under my name. But it’s yours.”
Angela shook her head, putting her fork down so she wouldn’t drop it. “The Lighthouse is mine?”
“It is,” Roman confirmed.
“I ... I don’t know what to say.”
“Say we can build an animal shelter on the property,” Claire piped up, looking excited.
Angela looked at all the expectant faces, including the two furry ones in their midst. “It looks like The Ark is a go.”
Everyone cheered. The remainder of the dinner was filled with chatter, laughter, and good-natured ribbing. Because the men couldn’t seem to help themselves. Afterwards, when Salvatore was escorting Sister Philomena down to her car, and Abel was walking Claire back to her apartment, Angela was still stunned over Roman’s revelations.
“I can’t believe you bought the community center for me,” she murmured. They were making their way to the elevator to get changed. They would be meeting the others later.
“Are you mad at me?” Roman asked carefully.
“For doing something so wonderful? It’s hard to be,” she acknowledged.
“But you want to be,” Roman prodded her.
Angela sighed. “No. Yes. It’s just... I don’t need extravagant things from you, Roman. That’s not why I want you.”
“I don’t doubt that. I know it’s because of my cock,” he added with a straight face, making her sputter. “But seriously, I bought the property for you before I loved you, Angel. At the time, it ensured you would stay working with me and my crew. I couldn’t risk the owner selling to someone else.”
She looked down at their linked hands, trying to verbalize her feelings. “You do so much for me, Roman. You’ve given me a family, and a new home. You literally kill for me. And now you’ve given me a city block with my passion project? It hardly feels balanced.”
He pulled her to a stop, regarding her intently. “I wasn’t aware our relationship was built on checks and balances.”
“It’s not. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just... sometimes I feel like all I do is take. I need to contribute, too.”
“Is that why you want to be involved with taking down Wayne Hutchins? Because you feel guilty?”
“No,” she was quick to say. But gave it some more thought. “Maybe,” she amended. “I don’t know.”
“Angel.” Roman tilted her chin up. “You don’t owe me shit. Get that thought out of your head right now.”
She could see how sincere he was. And that he was also a little pissed off. She covered his hands with her own. “Okay. I’ll try. But emotions aren’t always that easy to control.”
“I’m aware,” he said. “Do you want to call off tonight?”
