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I snort-laugh. “Bash attended Cornell University, 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 Bash winked at you. There must be some small part of you that…liked it.”
The expression on my face must have given him pause.
“No, I am not saying that you are like the Petrosky 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, Madison. Bash is lucky to find you.”
I shake my head. “I’ve got to be honest with you, Nick. This betrothal is a real sticking point for me. I won’t be involved with a married man, not even for Bash.”
He closes his eyes and lays his head back. “I know, I know.”
“I’m not heartless, I just believe that if we’re meant to be, it will work itself out to an end that's satisfactory to us all. If not,” I shake my head again. “I have to go.”
When he opens his pale blue eyes there is a look of apprehension. “You must be patient with him. If he moves too quickly it could be dangerous for everyone involved.”
That sounded an awful lot like a threat. “You care to explain,” I say, folding my arms across my chest.
“If he pulls out of the contract without a good alternate plan, Sergei will come after whoever is forcing him to break it.”
“Jesus.” I could have the Russian mafia gunning for me. “You’re making a very strong case for me to just walk away now.”
He slowly shakes his head. “Too late. Bash is in love with you. He won’t let you go.”
This too sounds dangerously close to a threat. Yet it quickens something deep within me, stirring me in profound ways I’d never experienced before.
“Based upon the situation that you’re describing, he may have very little choice in the matter.”
“What of you? Do you find the prospect of losing Bash so easy a thing?”
My heart crumples at the very thought of it.
“I can see that it is not, Madison. You love him. The two of you will work it out, but you must give him time to end it peacefully.”
I consider his words and smile at him. “You’re awfully wise for you nineteen years, Nick.”
He shrugs. “In Moscow, we grow up a little faster than you do here.”
“I guess it all depends on the person.” I rise from my chair. “All right, I’d better get out of here and let you rest.”
He rolls his eyes and groans. “Rest, rest, rest that’s all I do.”
“Well, that’ll teach your ass not to get shot again.”
His eyes widen as if stunned and then he breaks out into laughter. “I told you.” He wags a finger at me. “You do have a a dark side.”
I mock glare at him. “And don’t you ever forget it.”
“Yes, doctor,” he grins.
“I’ll be back to check on you in a couple of hours, but just yell if you need something,” I say and shut the door.
Chapter 14 – Evening the Score
