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“Roman,” Godfrey greeted him cheerfully. “I believe you’re looking for me.”
“You’ve got some balls on you,” Roman commented idly. “Having your man give me a direct line to you.”
He was in Luca’s office with all his gadgets rather than his own. The phone was on speaker with Morrigan, Abel, and Sal listening intently. Alaric and Teague were also in the room, helping Luca with the complicated process of tracing Godfrey’s signal.
“And why wouldn’t I?” Godfrey replied. “We’ve had a good working relationship, Roman. As well as a long one. We’re both businessmen. I thought we could come to a deal.”
“I’m not interested in a deal. I know what you did to Angela. You’re a sick fuck,” Roman bit out.
“Correction: my clients are sick fucks. I’m not attracted to children, Roman,” Godfrey said angrily. “And I certainly never touched Angela when she was under my care.”
Roman looked at Luca, who shook his head. He didn’t have the location yet. “You sold her.”
“Because it’s my job,” Godfrey pointed out. “It wasn’t personal. It’s not like I have a crystal ball and could predict you would eventually hook up with her.”
Roman met Sal’s eyes, seeing the same realization there. Godfrey didn’t understand what Angela was to him. He likely had Wayne to thank for that in part. The message he’d sent to Godfrey had made it clear she was just a lay, that the two of them weren’t close. Roman could use that. “Well, we have hooked up. Bad luck for you.”
Godfrey made an exasperated sound. “I understand the value of owning priceless property, Roman. And it’s clear that is what Angela is to you. I don’t want to take your property.”
“Good,” Roman uttered. “Because I won’t give her up.”
“I’m not asking you to,” Godfrey soothed.
“Then what are you asking?” Roman demanded.
“Talk some sense into her.”
Roman frowned, looking down at the phone. “Excuse me?”
“She’s stubborn. Too stubborn for her own good,” Godfrey added. “She’s also got spunk. It’s a dangerous combination if not handled correctly.”
Roman scoffed, hoping his sneer was felt through the line. “You don’t have to worry. I know how to handle my woman. And honor demands I avenge her.”
The other man breathed out a put-upon sigh. “You mafia types and your honor. Honor will get you killed, Roman.”
“It hasn’t so far,” Roman proclaimed. Across the room, Luca, Alaric, and Teague were typing at the speed of light. He was far enough away that the sound of the clacking keys couldn’t be heard over the open line.
“It will, if you’re not careful,” Godfrey stated.
A growl rumbled in his chest. “Are you threatening me, Godfrey?”
“Not yet. And I truly hope it doesn’t get to that. Let’s be frank, are you in love with her? Is that why you’ve been hunting for me?”
Abel shook his head warningly and Roman gave him a thumbs-up. He wouldn’t give anything away. “Love is a weakness. Men in my position can’t afford to be weak.”
“I’m relieved to hear you say that, old friend.”
“I’m not your friend, Godfrey,” Roman snapped, genuine anger seeping in. “And love may be a weakness, but so is a man without honor.”
“You make a good point,” Godfrey allowed. “You likely make a good match, as Angela has her fair share of honor as well. She surprised me, going after Abernathy like she did,” he continued. “I’m sure she told you about it. Did you know they recovered eighteen bodies from the ruins of the mansion? She burned eighteen people alive. That’s ballsy. I can admire that. It’s one of the reasons why I left her alone.”
Roman tensed. Chatting with Godfrey as if they were pals was a goddamn nightmare. “Left her alone?”
“You don’t think I simply released her from my care and let her be on her way, do you? I keep close tabs on all ex-employees, including their families. I watched her for years. Intermittently, of course. I was impressed with the way she put herself through college. I was more impressed with how she dealt with her thirst for revenge. Which is why I didn’t kill her at the time. And since she stopped going to the authorities after a few fruitless attempts, I was content to let her be. But now that she’s seen me, she seems focused on tracking me down. Or having you track me down, rather. And that, I simply cannot allow to continue.”
Luca’s expression was frustrated and pissed, causing Roman’s stomach to dip. Wasn’t it working? “What exactly are you proposing?”
“A compromise. You stop trying to take me down and I leave the good doctor alone. Just as I have done all these years. I haven’t touched her. And I won’t. I respect you, Roman. I don’t want to be on your bad side.”
