Chapter 26
twenty-six
. . .
Stunned by the crude words, I watched the man walk out.
Everything, from his dark mussed hair, ruggedly handsome features and intelligent eyes, a shade that was a beautiful confusion of blue and grey I’d never encountered, to the tattoos staining his neck before disappearing inside his blood-splattered white shirt, reeked of an arrogance very few men could pull off with such indifference.
The man was lethal. I could see it in the way he held himself, the way he stared at me with those cold hard depths.
His easy smirk hinted my reproach would be wasted on him.
Flustered, I gaped at the asshole’s back, wishing I could shoot arrows with my eyes.
Granted, he looked like a man you didn’t challenge unless you knew him, his nonchalance irked me, especially those parting words.
“Oh, my God, what an asshole.” Fisting the lapels of my white coat, I shook my head, squeezing the soft material with a deathly grip.
“Who the hell does he think he is?” I growled, something I’d never done.
Usually, I was calm, collected and respectable.
What just happened? How did a man I didn’t know, bring out a side to me that never existed before?
I flicked my gaze to the other man who’d made the men apologize.
He smiled. Admittedly, his eyes were kinder than the asshole who walked out yet no less intense.
“I’d say the devil in disguise but even the lord of hell has nothing on Remo’s fucked up reign on earth,” he offered.
“Don’t run if you don’t like to be chased, tesoro.
My brother’s very creative in the way he gets what he wants. ”
Remo? Why did that name sound familiar? “Brother?” My scowl tightened. “Did you just threaten me?”
“Merely a word of caution. What you read into it, is entirely up to you.” He sounded amused, like he’d enjoyed watching his brother and I go toe to toe.
“Well, he can chase all he wants,” I scoffed. “The only thing he’ll catch is an asthma inhaler.”
He chuckled. “Such sweet brevity, tesoro, you even have my cock at attention. Good thing he’s taken.”
My jaw dropped. Although my recovery was quick, I remained internally stunned. I’d never met anyone so formidably open before. “And who the hell do you think you are?”
“Lorenzo Rossi,” he said calmly.
I tried to stifle my gasp. My widening eyes probably gave my shock away.
A few days ago, during a break with some of the nurses, I’d heard them talking about the gorgeous Rossi brothers and their mafia reign.
Officially recognized as legit business owners, of what, I had no idea, their unofficial status in murder, drugs and other criminal activities I chose not to think about, was widely known.
Apparently, while they spared no prisoners if wronged, they cared for their people, especially Lorenzo, the older one.
The rumors surrounding the other brother, Remo and said asshole, had me promising the ladies to avoid him if I ever met him. Word was, he shot first and asked no questions of the corpse he left behind.
“Till we meet again—” Lorenzo glanced at my name tag, drawing my attention again. “—Dr Ishika Sharma.” Before I could respond, he walked away after a quick nod, the man standing next to him following.
“Ishika?” The soft tap on my arm had me turning. “Are you okay?” Maria, the receptionist, smiled at me. Still recovering from the effects of the men who just walked out of here, I nodded. “Where did you learn to fight like that?” Admiration sparkled in her eyes.
Laughing, I attempted to tidy the ponytail I’d felt loosen during my little stint of bravado, but the tie snapped in my hand and thick black curls bounced around my mid-back.
About to ask Maria if she had a spare, several hospital staff and patients crowded me, cheering my bravery with smiles and claps.
Embarrassed, I bowed my thanks then turned to Maria, answering her question.
“I took martial arts classes some time ago. Never finished my training, though and what you saw today is all I got. So, let’s just say, I’m glad those men didn’t come with reinforcements, else.” I squeezed my neck, making a face as if someone had just strangled me and laughed at her response.
“Ishika, Dr Carlo wants to see you?” I heard Stasia calling out behind me. Nodding at her, I glanced at Maria. “You don’t have a spare tie, do you? I’ll grab one from my locker later.”
“Here, take mine.” She pulled off hers, shoving it into my open palm.
Stasia gesturing for me to hurry, had me stuffing it into my coat pocket.