I smile and slip my phone into my back pocket. It occurs to me then that I’ve medically treated both of the Wilson. I move over to the fridge and pull out a bottle of Fiji water while I wait for Layla to arrive. Turns out she was in nursing school but dropped out to help take care of her younger siblings and then ended up working for the family when her brother got into trouble with them. It started out as a means to repay a debt. But now she enjoys the work and the extra cash. I encouraged her to return to nursing school, but she looked at me as if I told her she should take a trip to the moon. “Not possible, I work for the Wilson family now. Besides, the money is better.” She then looked up at me and nodded. “I’m glad you’re here now. I didn’t like the last doctor so much.” “Oh, no,” I explain, “I was just helping Sebastian in a pinch, I don’t work for Wilson.” She just gave me a strange look then shrugged and went about her business. The doorbell chimes and I hop off the stool
Go home, Layla ,” I order. “Yes, sir,” she says and quickly grabs her bag and hurries out of the place like it’s on fire. My hands are trembling, and it feels like a thousand frantic birds flapping in my chest. “I was forced into the betrothal, but I’m working on a plan to free myself of it. Layla is Sergei’s lover, and I’veneverlaid a finger on her. Since the day we met, there’s been no one but you,Chleo.” I take a step closer, encouraged that she seems to be listening. “That’s why I wanted you to move in with me, to sleep in my bed every night. I wanted you secure in the fact that you’re it for me.” I lower my eyes and nod. “Yes, it was wrong of me to keep that information from you, but I was terrified that if you knew, you’d have nothing to do with me.” I lift my eyes to hers, the expression is stern but at least she appears to be processing my words, weighing them carefully. “You can accuse me of lacking the courage to tell you, but you can’t accuse me of being unfaithful or two
His eyes remain shut. “No, Chleo gave me some Percocet. It’s kicking in now, I’d better rest.” I walk over to him and straighten his comforter out over him. “All right, Layla. You get some sleep. I’ll check on you later.” The second glass of wine I gave Chleo is empty and her eyes are shut. I’m not certain if she’s merely thinking or whether she’s fallen asleep. I walk over and sit next to her. For a moment, I just stare at her beautiful face in repose and think about how differently this whole thing could’ve gone down. Tomorrow, I’m going to make Mrs Wood pay dearly for this, hit him where itWhen I brush my fingers across her hand, her eyes flutter open to half slits. Her gaze drifts toward me. “Ben.” I stroke her face and wish I could wipe the sadness from her eyes. “If you love me…” “Baby, you know I love you.” “Don’t lie to me anymore. Promise.” “No more lies, Chleo, I promise you.” She closes her eyes and nods. But then they pop back open. “You’re calling off the engage
I snort-laugh. “Ben attended the place is filled with smart, funny, attractive women.” His mouth twists. “Oh, maybe a little, but none that saved his life and helped him out of a sticky situation.” He grins. “You are a very smart doctor, but you also have a little bit of a dark streak to you.” I’m taken aback. “I most certainly do not.” His eyes narrow a bit. “I know you bent rules to help him and to help me.” He chuckles softly, “I don’t think you did it just because Ben winked at you. There must be some small part of you that…liked it.” “No, I am not saying that you are like the Wilson family. No, nothing like that. I just say you like,” he pinches his fingers together. “A little bit of the dark side. Like just dip your big toe in the water.” Despite myself, I laugh at his analogy, and he sighs in relief. “You are a very good woman, Chleo. Beni lucky to find you.” I shake my head. “I’ve got to be honest with you, Mrs Wood. This betrothal is a real sticking point for me. I won’
“Yes, you did. He immigrated to the U.S. about five years ago.” Her eyes narrow at me. “Hey, aren’t you dating that rich guy you brought in from the car crash? Isn’t he Russian too?” “Yes, well, he’s originally from there but he’s a U.S. citizen. I almost kick myself for mentioning that. I might as well have declared, my Russian boyfriend is way better than yours. Her smile fades a degree. “That’s nice. So are you going to be able to switch shifts with me?” I frown. “Let me see if I can make that work. We’ll need to clear it with Chleo too, she’s been cracking down on all of that of late.” “I know, such a dragon lady.” “I’ll get back with you by the end of the day, alright?” “Thanks,Chleo. I’d owe you big time.” As she walks off, I can’t help wondering what were the chances that two medical students at the same hospital would start dating Russians within the space of a week. Does Nathan know Kristoff? Does Kristoff work for him? It’s no big deal, by kind of is…weird. I shrug.
Did you kill my father, Sergei? Did you order a hit on your own brother? If he’s out of the way and I’m the new boss, I can dictate how the family proceeds with healing the rift between the two powerful families. In other words, there’d be no need to marry Layla. I try not to focus on it, try not to want it so badly that it skews my perspective when I view the cold, hard evidence. The proof must be iron clad to take out a boss for dishonorable conduct. I go into the Deli and head to the back offices. One of them is constantly reserved for our use. While I wait for Stieg, I make a quick sweep of the place for wiretaps and listening devices. I find none but still switch on the noisy fan to provide enough background interference. His club would’ve have been a far more secure spot, but I’d promised Chleo. I stop to think about all the ways Chleo is changing me and the ways I’ll change her. I refused to meet at Stieg’s club because I promised Chleo, I’d never step foot in there again.
He waves his hand dismissively. “I won’t bore you with the details, but a few of the other captains see the value in pursuing another route for peace. I’ve persuaded enough of them to override Sergei.” I leap out of my chair and throw my arms around his neck. “Oh, Ben, that’s wonderful. Thank you,” I say, pelting his face with kisses. “I can imagine how difficult it must have been, I can’t believe you risked all that for me.” He gently takes me by the shoulders and stares intently at me with those entrancing eyes. “Chleo, you have no idea the lengths I’d go to hold onto you. You’re my world now.” The chilling frisson of excitement and fear courses through me. I want Ben to love me this passionately, but fear what it could mean. I find myself leaning in to kiss his lips. “And you are mine,” I whisper. He grins, “Sit down and eat, you’ll need your strength.” His voice sends a quivering spark right between my thighs. “You know I do have to go to work tonight?” I say as I move back t
He strokes my hair out of my face and stares into my eyes. “Do I have your loyalty, Chleo?” “Yes,” I breathe. “I need to know I can trust you with everything.” I nod. “Don’t ever betray me, it’s the one thing I won’t forgive.” I swallow and nod again. His eyes narrow at me. “You’re shaking…what’s wrong, Chleo?” Tell him about the gun! I scream in my head. I give him a shaky smile. “I’m c-cold.” His furrowed brow softens as a light smile graces his lips. “Let’s get you inside, in front of a fire.” As soon as I get the chance, I’ll throw the gun into the river. But with the cops watching my every move, when can I slip away to do it? Strega Diane driving back from meeting with the Giusto family head in an effort to smooth over some fallout over a recent turf dispute with the Italians. Lives were lost, and property was destroyed, but we came up with an amicable solution and agreed to let bygones be bygones. “Since we’re up this way, why don’t we stop at McCormick’s for some s