Page 110 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Surgeon

But I didn’t.

“Everything look the way you want it to?” he asked. He’d already taken me on a tour of the beach house and its surroundings. It was right in front of the place on the beach where I’d really started to fall in love with Jelly, the day I knew for sure I felt more for her than simple lust. I looked out the window as the waves crashed onto the beach. I think it was the day she started to fall for me, too.

“Yes, this is perfect. I really appreciate it.” We walked out on the front porch to admire the view.

Enzo smiled cooly. “It’s not a problem. You know, this was Salazar property, Salazar land. My dad bought it back when he and Mom were just starting out. He knew this place was going to grow up and be a big deal. So, he bought up as much of the beachfront property as he could afford.” He gestured to some of the hotels down at the public beach areas, far from where we stood. “He bought the whole strip, from down at the first hotel all the way down to the last condo past the pier.” He turned, pointing as he talked. “But this? This portion we’re on? It’s always been in the family. Dad intended for it to stay in the family. He bought enough land and built enough matching houses for ten children. Of course, they only had six.” He watched me with his dispassionate blue eyes. “That’s lucky for you. And more than likely Reynolds and Byron. We only want to have people who feel like family in these cottages. Not sure who the last one will go to. I guess we’ll see. Or maybe it will always stay empty. It would be a good place for the teenagers to sleep once we all start having kids and they get to that age.”He shrugged. “Who knows?”

I smiled, but the more he talked, the more nervous I was getting. I knew all of this was leading up to something, and I wasn’t sure what it was.

He leaned against the porch railing, looking incongruous in his bespoke suit. I went and stood next to him, watching as some of the big cargo ships docked in the far distant port area. I wondered briefly if my brothers were in charge of whatever processes that boat would go through as it unloaded, reloaded, and headed back out to sea. Probably.

Closer to us sailboats, ski boats, and small yachts were scattered throughout the waters leading all around the large bay area.

Enzo turned his head to look at me. He’d put on sunglasses when we’d walked outside, and I couldn’t see his eyes. “Before you sign the paperwork and make this little piece of heaven yours, I’d like a favor.”

My hands started to sweat.

“You see, both Dad and I have been passed over for the hospital board. Mom, too. All three of us are interested in being on it. I think there’s something about the impression people have about the Salazar family that is keeping the hospital administration from choosing us.”

Shit. There probably was. The administration only picked the most upstanding members of society. Hell, I was pretty sure there was a nun on the board. They cared less about money and more about high moral standards. Carlos and Enzo’s business practices were questionable, and the fact that Carmen and Nico owned a sex club and a strip club didn’t help anything. Jeez. Most people had no clue about the auction Carmen ran. That was even worse.

I ran a hand through my hair and pulled on the collar of my shirt. It suddenly felt tight on my neck.

“You’re head of surgery at the hospital, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Thought so. And didn’t the hospital dish out a rather largesalary in order to keep you here? To keep you from going to bigger, more prestigious hospitals around the country?”

“Yes, that’s true. They extended certain privileges to me to entice me to stay.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. Emory, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Johns Hopkins, the National Institute of Health—they’d all wanted me.

“I happen to know there’s a vote coming up next month. Three members of the board have terms coming to an end, and they’re not looking to be re-instated for another term.”

“Really?” I was shocked. Once people were named to the hospital board, the only thing that got them removed was either a grievous error on their part… or death. People didnotjust step down.

“They might have been persuaded,” Enzo said casually, making my blood run cold. “Anyway, before I sign off on this purchase of a beach cottage on Salazar family land and meant for Salazar family and close friends only, I’m going to need an assurance from you that Dad, Mom, and I are voted onto the hospital board next month.” He cocked his head at me. “I think my brother also helped you out with a nasty little blackmailing situation recently. Is that right?”

It was a rhetorical question.

I gaped at him.

He blinked at me.

We stared at each other. I knew I could do it. I could go to the hospital director and ask him for the favor directly. I could make it sound as if I was looking at jobs in other parts of the country. They wanted me to stay. I was far and away the most prestigious member of their staff. To keep me, he would do what I asked.

“Why do y’all want to be on the board? What do you hope to achieve?”

His pushed his sunglasses on top of his head, and his eyes glittered in the sunlight. “Mom wants on so that she can plan the hospital gala. She thinks it sucks and wants to make it better. Dad wants on so that he can say he’s on it. It’s solely for bragging rights.”

“And you?” I prodded.

He got a half grin on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Let’s just say I have my reasons and leave it at that.”

Damn. What did he think he could do? The hospital board members didn’t have that much power. But I couldn’t see where it would hurt anything.

“Sure. I can talk to the hospital director and make that happen,” I said.

“Great.” He slapped the rail with his hands and grinned at me. “Then let’s go sign those papers and make this yours.”