I shoot him a harsh glare. “Well, here I am.”
“What exactly are you trying to pull by dating Madison? Is this some kind of way to get back at me for not telling who made the mistake with Talia?”
“What?” I let out a sharp laugh. Of course, this pompous bastard thinks my relationship with Maddie is about him. “You’re out of your mind. I love Maddie and I haven’t given a fleeting thought to you in months.”
“Roman, let’s be real here. What are the chances you wind up with one of my most promising surgeons after everything you and I have been through?”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Bauer. This has zero to do with you. Now if you’ll excuse me...” I turn, but he catches my arm.
“Roman, before you go, there’s someone I want to introduce you to.” He waves another man over. “This is a friend of mine. Dr. Mark Taylor. He’s a trauma surgeon in St. Louis, and his daughter works with me at St. Luke’s. Madison. I believe you’ve met her.”
I clench my jaw, hand cinching around the drinks in my hands. This son of a bitch. He’s really going to do this right now? “I do know Madison. She treated my son earlier this year, and she’s a wonderful doctor. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Taylor.”
Fortunately, the words come out sounding less bitter than I mean them, a skill that I’ve perfected.
“That’s good to hear.” He gives me a stiff smile, but from what I can tell, he has no idea about Maddie and me. “But she won’t be working at St. Luke’s much longer, right Dr. Bauer?”
“Not if we can help it.” He snickers. “Mark and I need to go chat with another donor, Roman, but I’m glad that the two of you got to meet.”
“So am I.”
I watch until the two men join another group and get engulfed in conversation. I don’t know what they’re up to, but it can’t be good, and I need to find Maddie and warn her before either of them do.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Asmuchasitpains me to admit, Roman was right.
The gala has been more bearable than I expected, maybe even enjoyable. Somehow, I’ve managed to avoid Dr. Bauer and his judgmental opinions for most of the evening, and if my dad’s here, he hasn’t shown his face. I love getting to see Roman with some of his friends. It’s like a whole different side to him, even than when he’s with Joe and Dante, and I feel oddly proud that he’s choosing to include me in it.
I don’t know why it never occurred to me that Roman had friends outside of the Mafia, but it surprised me just how well connected he is. A lot of people here tonight are actively involved at the hospital and trying to make positive changes. Some of them are even engineers who designed the very technology I use daily.
It’s fun getting to know his friends, but Roman’s been gone for a while, and I glance around the room to find him. He went to get drinks, but the bar is empty now. Maybe he stepped outside for afew minutes. I excuse myself to go look for him to try to convince him to join me on the dance floor. We’re here, after all, might as well fully immerse ourselves.
I step out onto the balcony and into a cloud of smoke. Several men are outside enjoying cigars, but Roman isn’t among them. Thinking I might catch him by the bathrooms, I start that way, but I’m quickly stopped.
“Madison.” Dr. Bauer stands in front of me. “I’m glad I caught you. I need an answer about LA. Have you thought anymore about it?”
“I have, actually.” I press my lips together. “I don’t think that job is the right thing for me. I really appreciate your recommendation, but I’m happy here.”
“You realize that you’re throwing away your entire career with this move, don’t you?” He sneers.
“I don’t think I am. I’m just not rushing through my training. There are plenty of places I can learn to be a trauma surgeon on a regular timeline. The fast track is—”
“A once in a lifetime opportunity,” he interrupts. “The doctors there are world class and if you turn this down, you can say goodbye to any future opportunity with them.” His sharp eyes sear into me as he speaks. “And for what? Roman Molanari? That man will ruin you, Madison. He’ll use you just long enough to crush every bit of spirit inside of you and then throw you out with the trash. I’ve seen it happen before.”
I can’t get away from this conversation fast enough. “Dr. Bauer, you have no idea what you’re talking about. This has nothing to do with Roman, and even if it did—”
“It got his wife killed, you know. Roman and his bogus business dealings. Did he tell you that?” His face reddens as he speaks, clenching his fists at his sides.
“You remember Talia?”
“Of course I do. She was murdered by someone Roman works with, and he tried to blame it on my staff. I’m telling you, Madison, take the job and get out of here before you meet the same fate.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. I know nothing he says is true, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.
“We’re not done here, Madison,” Dr. Bauer growls, catching my wrist and jerking me back as I try to walk away.
Before I know what’s happening, somebody moves between us. It’s Roman.
