Page 153 of Romeo

“I’ve been sendingout resumes all over. Without a good reference, I’ll have to take any interview I can get, no matter where it’s located.”

The fuck if Maddie was moving to some other fucking state. That was some goddamn bullshit.

“Shade ain’t gonna let you leave this side of the state,” Romeo said with more confidence than he felt. He hoped to fuck what he said was true.

“He might not like it, but he doesn’t rule my life.” She shot him a pointed look. “No one does. And what you did left me between a rock and a hard place, Rome. It’s not a decision I want to make, but I might not have a choice.”

“Always got a choice,” he grumbled.

She hated that pat answer because it wasn’t always true. “Oh sure. You mean the choice of working at one of the Fury businesses for practically free or wiping down tables at Coffee and Cream for minimum wage? That’s not what I wentyearsto school for. Sorry, but I’m not giving up mydream or career goals because of Shade.” She then added, “Or you.”

He needed to come up with a plan to keep her in western Pennsylvania. “Got a gig for you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure you do. Doing what? Being a line cook or tending bar at Dick’s? If I wanted to do that for a living, I could work at Crazy Pete’s.”

“Need your expertise.”

“My expertise?” Her voice raised a pitch. “For what?”

“Doc said I’m gonna need a physical therapist once these fuckin’ casts are off.”

“I can recommend you a good one.”

“Already got a good one.”

“I’m sure I can find you a competent one closer. No need to drive hours north to see me.”

“Not true. Got plenty of other fuckin’ reasons to come see you.” Not only did he have to convince her to take charge of his PT but to move back south to do so.

“Name one.” Maddie lifted a finger and added, “Other than sex.”

“Got a whole list.”

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

Shit.He wasn’t expecting to be called out on that claim. He should’ve known better. Maddie was smart and no push-over. But…

If she thought he would cut himself open by giving her that list…Fuck that.He already was doing shit not normal for him just by driving north to see her. By telling her about his mother. He never shared personal shit with women, and he certainly didn’t chase them.

Fuck.If that wasn’t a reality check…

He still didn’t understand his obsession with her. Why he couldn’t stop thinking about her day and night. What madeMaddie different from the rest of his conquests? The answershouldbe “nothing.”

Only, it wasn’t.

His chest tightened when unexpected panic began to set in. “Ain’t my fifteen minutes up?”

Her eyebrows raised. “I’m willing to extend your time limit for this.”

Jesus Christ.“Missin’ the point.”

“I doubt that I am.”

“Maddie, I couldn’t just sit the fuck back and watch him abuse you like that.” Anyone who cared for her wouldn’t. If any Fury member knew about Smith being a total dick to her, they certainly would’ve stepped in and handled it.

“Well, you definitely solved the problem. Only not in the manner I would prefer. It would’ve been much more karmasmic for me to leave his employ once I got my dream job. I would’ve relished seeing that asshole’s face when handing in my two-week notice.”

“Karmasmic?” That was a goddamn mouthful.

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