AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t agree to meet with me. I don’t do virtual business,” Roman said flatly. “All business is done where I can look in the eyes of my opponent.”
“Opponent? You consider business dealings to be a battle?”
“Of course. Don’t you?” Roman practically dared Godfrey to say no.
“I do,” Godfrey admitted. Then, after a moment’s pause, “Fine,” he snapped. “We meet in person to settle the terms of our truce. But I set the place and the time.”
“You don’t trust me?” Roman feigned shock. “I think I’m offended.”
Godfrey scoffed. “Please, I don’t trust you any more than you trust me. And when this is all over, it will still be that way.”
“As long as you stay away from me and what’s mine, we won’t have any further issues,” Roman said firmly. “I just want to go back to my regular business. All this shit is monopolizing too much of my time.”
“Understood. I will contact you with details immediately before the meet to ensure there are no surprise guests waiting for me. You’re free to bring one man with you. No more than that,” Godfrey ordered.
Like hell, Roman thought. They were the shittiest terms he’d ever heard. But he continued the charade. “The same goes for you.”
Godfrey’s voice hardened. “I’m the one calling the shots here, Roman.”
“Mr. Romano,” Roman corrected quickly. “That’s Mr. Romano to you. We are business associates who are about to part ways. I will never be Roman to you ever again.”
Godfrey mumbled something unintelligible before saying louder, “All this fuss for a woman. There are plenty more where she came from.”
“There’s only one Angela Hawthorne,” Roman responded with a growl. He didn’t have to call on his acting skills to make the possessive rumble believable. “And you aren’t calling the shots, Godfrey. You’ve lost any leverage you had.”
“You think you know all my secrets because you dug up a few names?” Godfrey’s words dripped with scorn. “Mr. Romano, I assure you, there’s plenty more where they came from. The power remains tipped on my side of the scales.”
“Is that so? If that’s the case, I’ll meet you at 964 Oakmound Drive in approximately fifteen minutes,” Roman said blandly, showing he knew exactly where Godfrey was right this second. “That’s how long it will take me to get to you. But don’t think you can escape in that time—my private assassin is already there. You remember Morrigan, don’t you?”
“Fine,” Godfrey gritted out. “One man each. I’ll be in contact when I’m ready. Tell your assassin to back off.”
Roman pressed the button on his transmitter, opening up the line. “Morrigan? Stand down. There won’t be any killing today.”
“Yes, sir.” Morrigan’s voice came through loud and clear.
Roman held his amused snort in. Morrigan never called him sir. “You’re free to leave that pretty yellow house you’re in, Godfrey. Morrigan obeys my orders.”
“I suppose I have to take your word for that, don’t I?” Godfrey didn’t sound thrilled about it at all. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Roman hung up without further preliminaries and held his arms out. Angela practically flew into them, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. He ran his hands up and down her back, pulling her further into his body. She was trembling. “This will all be over soon.”
“I’m worried,” she revealed.
“I know. I am too.” The first part of the plan had been executed perfectly. But the tricky part was yet to come. It was also the most dangerous part, and if something should go wrong, there would be no coming back. He’d be dead. “Everything will be okay. You’ll be safe.”
Angela sat up, scowling fiercely as she hit his shoulder. “I’m not worried about me, you big idiot.”
“Ow,” Roman whined, rubbing where she’d struck him. “I don’t know what hurts more, your words or your fist.”
“I’m serious, Roman.” Angela pleaded with her big green eyes. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’ll take Abel with me. Odds are he’ll be hurt instead of me,” Roman joked, wanting to see her smile.
“Hey!” Abel yelled.
“Not funny,” Angela told him sternly. But then her lips twitched. “Okay, maybe it’s a little bit funny.”
Roman smiled, tugging gently on her hair until their faces were close enough that he could feel her vital breath against his lips. “Everything will work out. I promise you.” He kissed her softly, chastely.
