Page 30 of Corrupted Heir (Mafia Kings: Corrupted 1)

Chapter Ten

Fallon

“Can I help you?” I asked the tall, dark-haired man, dressed in a suit and an expensive-looking trench coat, who’d just walked into the clinic.

I’d spent the entire day working off the mimosas and lemon bars Corinne and I had consumed, and I just wanted to go home. Unless this guy had an animal in need of emergency attention, the clinic was closed for the day—hence the “Closed” sign that hung in the front window of the building.

“You’re a good veterinarian from what I hear,” the man said from where he stood just inside the doorway. He had no animal with him, but maybe he’d left his dog in his car while he came inside.

“I am,” I said because it was true. I had my flaws just like everyone else, but I was good at my job.

“I’m pleased to hear that,” he said, leaning a shoulder against the wall. “Too many people take a lackadaisical approach to their work these days, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Um, I guess so.” Beyond the strange conversation, something didn’t feel right. I wanted to shrug this guy off and tell him we were closed for the night, but something had me holding my tongue. It was the way he’d kept his eyes focused on me from the moment he’d walked in the door. Most people smiled politely and then looked around at the waiting area and the posters on the wall, and even squinted a little, trying to get a glimpse of the rooms beyond the reception desk. But not him. He just kept staring at me, and it sent a prickling sensation down my back.

“Is there something I can do for you?” The sooner I could get this guy out of here, the better.

He smiled broadly and pushed away from the wall. “Indeed, there is,” he said, walking toward me with a slow, easy stride.

The urge to backstep away from him was potent, but I held my ground. It was probably all in my head. It wasn’t like there was an epidemic of veterinary clinic robberies going around.

“You can keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing,” he said. “It’s important, you know? Caring for those that cannot care for themselves.”

“I mean, do you have an animal you need looked at? That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”

“No.” He laughed, the humor in it nonexistent. It was deep and dark, and it made my palms feel sweaty. “I care for those that cannot care for themselves as well.”

I swallowed hard, unable to stop myself from taking a step back.

He stopped laughing, and something just as dark as his laugh flashed through his eyes. “My name is Tony. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Moore,” he said, extending his hand.

The last thing I wanted to do was take it, but I forced my hand to clasp his, hoping this meant he was leaving. He shook my hand once, then held me there for just a moment. His hand felt cold and rough against mine.

When he finally let go, I couldn’t hide the sigh of relief that slipped out. He nodded to me then turned and strode back out the door.

I leaned heavily against the reception desk for support. My legs were shaking, and my heart was racing. I spritzed some alcohol on my hand, rubbing vigorously.

The moment I heard the click of a car door outside, I crossed the room and locked the clinic door. Even though part of me wanted to scurry back to the desk, I forced myself to watch through the window as the man pulled out of the parking lot and drove away.

I stood there for a moment after, half-expecting to see the car come squealing back into the lot, but it never did. I shook my head and laughed at myself. While it might have been strange, it wasn’t like any harm had come to me. Still, I was more than happy to grab my purse from the back room and lock up for the night.

I glanced around once as I scurried across the parking lot to my car, but there was no sign of him. Of course, there wasn’t. He was just a guy who’d been a little off his rocker.

I’d managed to get my heartbeat back to normal by the time I arrived home. Unfortunately, the first sight I saw as I slipped into my parking spot was my dad’s squad car. Out of the pot and into the frying pan. My nerves were just too frazzled for this tonight.

Nevertheless, I smiled weakly at him as he got out of his car and followed me up the walk. He followed me inside and up to my apartment, heading across the living room while I locked the door, then jiggled the handle just to be sure. I’d long since accepted it was a bit of a neurosis, but I had no intention of changing it. Better safe than sorry.

“Tough day, Dad?” I asked, noticing he’d headed straight for the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink.

“I just need a drink. That’s all,” he said.

“You know, there’s like a dozen bars between your place and mine. They probably would have been quicker.”

“I’ve just come to check in on my daughter,” he said, looking disgruntled. “But, yeah, it’s been a long day.” He gestured for me to join him on the sofa.

“What is it you want, Dad?” I asked. I was already on edge, and I just wanted him to spit out whatever he’d come to say.

“I came to see my beautiful daughter. Am I not allowed?”

---