Page 12 of Heartbeat

After all, I was the new Assistant Director of Neurology, I couldn’t afford to get a harassment complaint. Pussy was easy to get, and I would never jeopardize my livelihood for some ass.

“Good morning, I’m here to see Dr. Bishops,” I said in a no-nonsense tone.

“Yes, of course. Follow me, Dr. Nash.” She got up from her chair and lightly brushed against me as she rounded her desk. She was dressed in a tight A-line dress that showed her small curves. Her dress and flirtatious demeanor reminded me of a 1950’s secretary.

I followed dutifully behind her keeping my eyes on her back and not on her ass. The walk to Dr. Bishops’ office was a short one, and I wondered why she even bothered to “show” me to the door when she could’ve just pointed me in the right direction.

“Dr. Bishops is waiting. Do you needme…” she bit her lip and batted her eyelashes, “to get anything for you?”

“No. Thank you.” She went to pass me, but I stepped back slightly so she couldn’t rub up against me again. I liked a bold woman, but she was doing a little too much.

When I walked into the office, I stopped dead in my tracks.What the fuck was my father doing here?

I blanked my face, not wanting to show my shock. I knew for sure that I wasn’t going to like whatever transpired in this office. I went against my instincts to keep my father at arm’s length. I knew not to get involved with him even if he were offering me my dream job.I knew fucking better!

“Ah, Dr. Nash. Come in and have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.” Dr. Bishops’ smile was wide, and I knew I had been set up.

I sat down in a large leather chair beside my father in front of Dr. Bishops’ desk without saying a word. Whatever it was they wanted to discuss, I had a feeling that I didn’t have a choice.

“Son.” My father greeted me with a smile that mirrored Bishops. I narrowed my eyes at my father without a response.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why your father is here. But Conrad and I thought it would be best if we told you of our arrangement together.”

I cocked my head to the side, still not responding. If I said anything at this point, I would lose my entire gotdamned mind. So, I sat quietly, waiting for them to drop whatever fucked up bomb they had in store for my ass.

“Son, we are soon to be co-owners in this nice establishment.” My father acted as if this recognized private hospital was some kind of fast-food joint.

“Okay.” The one-word answer was all I could muster. I guess I got my job because my father paid for it. Not the worst thing in the world. I would rather I earned the position, but fuck it. I would prove my worth with my work ethic. I was the best, and my father buying a hospital to get me a position wouldn’t stop me from demonstrating that.

“There are some things that must happen before co-ownership can be established,” Dr. Bishops continued.

I nodded in understanding. This was a business deal, so I expected some requirements must be met.

“The co-ownership will be listed under Nash Industries. It’s a legality that couldn’t be avoided,” Bishops explained. So, it wouldn’t be my father and me as owners but the family corporation. Probably for tax reasons, sounded reasonable.

“In order for us to legally obtain partial ownership of BHM, we must be family.” I frowned at my father’s words.How the hell were we supposed to be family with the Bishops?

“You will marry my daughter,” Bishops answered my unasked question.

* * *

“There is no way in hell I’m marrying that brat!” I seethed at both men.

“Excuse you? I am not a brat.” I was right in my assertion. It wasn’t the brat daughter that I was supposed to marry. It was theprincess.She sauntered into the office at precisely the wrong time. My rage wasn’t for her.

“Whatever.” I turned my back on her. “I won’t do it,” I addressed my father. He knew me better than anyone. He should’ve known I would never agree to this stupid shit. Not for ownership of a hospital, not for a job, not for family… not for anything!

“You will.” My father sat calmly in the chair. He crossed one leg over the other and smiled.

I folded my arms over my chest as I shook my head, “No. I. Will. Not!”

“Now who’s the brat?” Raven chuckled behind me, and it pissed me off even more. I was a grown-ass man, and I would not let my father control me.

“I always told you to read any contract that you sign. You never want to take my advice.” My father smirked at me. I searched my mind for what the contract had written in it, and I came up empty. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

“The dowry clause.” I walked to the chair and plopped down heavily, “I thought that meant I had to donate money to the hospital.”

“Fine print, son.” I felt my father’s hand on my shoulder, and I shrugged off.

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