“Absolutely.” I swallow.
I don’t know why I feel uncomfortable around him. We’ve been close for a while, but the way Roman reacted to him and the vagueness in his reply when I asked made me uneasy. Roman associates with a certain type of…personality, and Dr. Bauer certainly doesn’t fit that. I can’t imagine what might’ve transpired between the two for Dr. Bauer to be indebted to Roman to the point where Roman can pull the strings that he just offered, but something big must have happened.
“How do you know Roman Molanari?” He’s not the type of man to beat around the bush, and he gets right to it.
“Uh, we’re…friends.”
He’s instantly suspicious of the way I stutter through the words.
“Friends? Or more?”
My chest tightens. This isn’t exactly an appropriate conversation to have with my boss, especially because I really don’t even know what to call this thing between me and Roman yet. Are we friends? Are we more?
We’d gone from hating each other to falling into bed together so quickly that I can’t keep track. Roman has been clear about wanting more eventually, but I don’t know where that leaves us right now, and I don’t know what to tell Dr. Bauer.
“Madison, I only ask out of concern. Roman Molanari is a dangerous man, and I would hate to see you mixed up in whatever he has going on.”
I don’t give an answer, but it doesn’t seem like Dr. Bauer needs one because he continues.
“You’ve got a bright future ahead of you, Madison. I don’t want to see anything impede that.”
“I appreciate you looking out for me, Dr. Bauer.” I force a smile. There’s no need for my personal life to be on trial here, and I shut the conversation down.
He opens his mouth like there’s more he wants to say, but just nods. “Anyway, the reason that I wanted to talk with you today is because one of my trauma residents is going to be gone for the next month. I was hoping you might want to fill his space while he’s out.”
“Wow! Really?”
“Yes. It’s only temporary, but you’ll get some good experience and it’ll be good for your fast-track application next year,” Dr. Bauer says.
“That’s great. I would love to. Thank you so much!”
“No need to thank me, Madison. You’re a great doctor, and we’re lucky to have you on our team. As long as distractions don’t get in your way. I’m heading into a surgery, so let’s iron out the details later.”
A flicker of hesitation rolls through me. Somehow, he made a compliment sound like a warning. I shove the feeling down, though, because Dr. Bauer gave me exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
I’m finally going to have my chance here, and I’m almost giddy. I can’t wait to get home and tell Roman.
Todaycouldnotgetany better.
Waking up with Maddie in my bed, kissing her goodbye on her way to work, time with Ty, and then a lunch date with both of them that was so damn wholesome that it feels like it’s right off a storybook page.
So when Joe calls to tell me they picked up one of the Chavos members, it’s just the cherry on top. Maybe the sex last night rocked my world right back into orbit, and my luck is changing.
This isn’t just any gangbanger, either. He’s the guy who pulled the trigger at the park, and according to Joe, potentially one of the men who attacked Talia. This is like a fucking dream.
Since Maddie is working all afternoon, I drop Ty off with Sarah and head to the warehouse to meet Joe and Dante. I’m buzzing with adrenaline by the time I get there. For the past few months, my sole focus has been on seeking justice for Ty and Talia, and now it’s so close I can taste it.
“Where is he?” I ask, stealing through the front doors.
Joe nods to the back with a wicked smile. “Already in a cell. We were having a little fun before you got here.”
He and Joe follow behind me as I make my way there. The warehouse is quiet today, which is probably good. I don’t like handling this type of thing with an audience, although it sends a pretty strong message to my guys that they shouldn’t cross me.
Strung up in the first cell, the guy is stripped down to barely nothing. His hands are tied with a chain secured to the ceiling, and he’s on a splintering wooden stool. He’s so terrified it’s pathetic.
“Not so tough without a gun in your hand, are you?”
With three hard strides, I’m in front of him.
