Page 12 of The Enforcer

His smile lit up his eyes. “Your natural scent is all you need,ángelos. You are a true beauty.”

“Thank you, but you have a jaded sense of things. And your compliments, while very nice, will get you nowhere.”

“No, Valencia. I do not have a jaded sense of anything. I know a perfect woman when I see one.”

I’d had men compliment me before. Why did it feel as if I was blushing? He obviously noticed something, his nostrils flaring. “What do you do, Mr. Nomikos?” I wasn’t certain why I was asking other than I wasn’t ready to give up our brief time together. Or maybe his dangerous persona had awakened a twisted sense of curiosity. I certainly wasn’t attracted to him.

“My family owns a large corporation in Athens and we’ve taken our product to other countries. That’s why I was in New York.”

“Products.” I was thinking illegal drugs. It was as if he was reading my mind.

“I assure you the business I’m bringing to New York is perfectly legitimate. I wouldn’t allow it any other way. We own several dance clubs.”

“Ah. Sounds interesting.” I wasn’t certain if the man was telling me the truth. What did it matter? He would return to Athens and I’d be right here. Shit. Was I actually thinking that I wanted to see him again? Not a chance in hell. I lived dangerously enough.

“Perhaps I’ll be able to take you to one at some point. Maybe you’ll come to Greece.”

“Sadly, I doubt it, but that’s a lovely thought. Now, get some rest. Try to eat something to regain your strength.” I stood and felt a strong pull to the man even though I loathed his arrogance. No patient had ever managed to pull me in a more personal direction and that seriously troubled me.

“Thank you for saving my life. I assure you that it won’t be forgotten.”

“Just heal completely and take care of yourself. That’s all the thanks I need.”

“Na eísai kalá glyké mou ángele. Méchri na xanavrethoúme.”

“What did you say?”

“I said to be well, sweet angel. Until we meet again.”

I smiled and headed toward the door. A part of me hoped that would happen.

Another part told me it could be the biggest mistake of my life. He was dangerous.

CHAPTER 5

Valencia

After working twelve-plus-hour days for four days in a row, I was finally off for the evening. I’d already changed, now wearing my signature jeans and a sweater. Yet I wanted to see Christos one more time. His condition had been more dire than I’d led him to believe. He’d been on death’s door twice. It was a miracle I’d saved him.

There were other more personal reasons that I wanted to see him again as well. That troubled me more than the fact the ER had been filled with dubious men shot dead.

Visions of the handsome Greek had tugged at my mind every day and night, some thoughts more inappropriate than others.

He had a pull that I couldn’t understand or explain.

I walked down the corridor, uncertain what I wanted to say to him. Or if there was anything I should say. Other than that I was releasing him in the morning. At least he could get back to his normal life.

“Dr. Laurant? Mr. Nomikos checked himself out.”

Stopping short, I turned toward one the nurses. “Why wasn’t I notified of his intentions?”

“You were in surgery.”

Shit. “Okay. Send me the paperwork.” It wasn’t unheard of for a patient to insist on being released, but he’d known he’d been in critical condition, lucky to be alive. I don’t know why I headed toward his room anyway, the door standing open and waiting to be cleaned and reset.

I walked inside, still able to feel his presence. As I moved to the bed, I reminded myself I didn’t know and probably didn’t want to learn anything about the man or his life. That didn’t stop me from brushing my fingers across his pillow.

“Get a grip, girl. He was just a man. You don’t need any complications in your life.”

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