Roman’s reaction rattles me, and I stand in shock for a second. Russ is obnoxious, but even I know he’s just playing around. What the hell just happened?
“It’s okay,” I finally say, my voice shaking. Quickly, I turn my back to the two men to avoid the tension and clean things up.
I purposely tune out the conversation that they have, and after a few minutes, Roman and I are both ready to go.
“Sorry about Russ,” he says once we get in the truck. “Some of these guys aren’t used to having women around and they forget how to act. I’ll be sure anyone you treat is the pillar of respect from now on.”
“Like you?” It’s hard to hide the snark in my voice. It’s funny to listen to Roman talk about respect when a few days ago he forcibly kidnapped me. Granted, things have been different since, but that’s the pot calling the kettle black, if I’ve ever heard it.
“Fair.” Roman chuckles, arm draped over the steering wheel as he winds through the dark roads. “Although, I will say it’s kind of impressive the way you hold your own like you do. I don’t think Russ has ever been spoken to like you did tonight, and it serves him right.”
“I’m used to it.” I shrug.
“How so?”
“Well, trauma surgery is a pretty male-dominated field. My dad is the head of trauma for an entire network of hospitals in St. Louis. And I’ve got two older brothers. I grew up around arrogant men who think the rules don’t apply to them.”
“I guess that’s why you and I get along so well.” Roman’s mouth slants into a taunting smirk.
“I’m not sure I’d say we get along.”
“Ouch.” He chuckles, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. “And here I thought you and I had a budding friendship, Doc.”
Chapter Nine
“Well,Icouldcertainlyuse a drink after that. How about you?” I ask, holding the door for Madison as we come in from the garage.
Usually, after there’s some kind of issue or complication on a job, I can’t sleep. I’m up for hours unable to turn my brain off, but tonight, my nightcap has more to do with the fact that I want more time with Madison. I enjoy talking to her when we’re not at each other’s throats, and tonight, it almost felt like we were a team.
She’s tough, and she’s good at what she does, and even though I don’t want to admit that this could be more than business, the line is starting to blur.
She’s lived here for two weeks, and it’s almost too easy how seamlessly we’ve settled into a routine. I’d forgotten how good it feels to have another adult to come home to. To share some of the household tasks with. To talk to someone who doesn’t eat, sleep, and breathe the Italian Mafia the way most of my friendsand family do. Madison is like a much needed breath of fresh air in this house.
“It’s two in the morning,” she says, looking up at the clock as if that’s going to make any difference to me.
I don’t respond as I open the liquor cabinet and get a bottle of Macallan 1824 from the back. It’s a special occasion scotch, but tonight is as good of night as any. I reach for a second glass and raise my eyebrow at her.
When she sits at the island instead of continuing to protest, I get my answer.
I pour two glasses, sliding one across the counter to her. “It’s a nice night. Why don’t we go out to the patio?”
“Sounds great.” Madison follows me out the back door and finds a cozy spot on the couch as I flip on the fire table.
The sky is full of stars, and the moonlight reflects in her eyes as I sit across from her. She’s so fucking gorgeous with that sleepy smile that part of me wishes I could whisk her upstairs for an entirely different kind of nightcap. Maybe that would get her out of my system and I could finally concentrate on all the other shit I’ve got happening. That would never happen, though. Once would never be enough with Madison, and I know that for a fact.
“How was work?” I ask, stretching my arm along the back of the couch, careful not to touch her.
Madison lets out a sharp laugh, her head dipping back as her long honey curls fall behind her and graze my forearm. The move sends a wave of her perfume in my direction that’s every bit as intoxicating as the whiskey I’m drinking.
“What’s so funny?”
“You woke me up in the middle of the night to go stitch up your friend that killed a man in a drug deal, and now you want to make small talk about my day at work as if none of that happened.”
Scratching my chin, I chuckle. “Well, I guess when you say it like that, it sounds a little strange.”
“More than a little.” Madison shifts her weight. “You’re going to have to level with me here, Roman. I know you’re some kind of gang leader, but I need the specifics. I need to know exactly what I got myself involved in.”
“You’re sure?” I swallow, staring into the flames. “Because if you don’t like what you hear, you can’t just walk away. The more you know, the deeper you’re involved.”
