Dr. Fake It - A Possessive Doctor Romance

“Cosimo is here.”

He blinked once and drew up to his full height like a snake sensing a predator. “Where?”

I was surprised that he accepted it so quickly, but maybe I shouldn’t have been. So far he’d been willing to go with some strange and crazy things, it shouldn’t have been a shock to imagine he’d believe me right away.

“In my mom’s room,” I said. “He wants to talk to you.”

He nodded and strode past me. I hurried to keep up, worry racing down my spine. I wanted to scream and to keep him away from there—I was so afraid Cosimo would do something drastic.

But then again, Gavin was a big man, powerful and strong and muscular. I had to imagine that he could take care of himself, or at least he seemed to think so—otherwise I doubt he would’ve offered to help me with all this.

My heart raced wildly as Gavin pushed open the door and stepped into my mother’s room. He slid aside the privacy screen and stared down at Cosimo as the gangster smiled and stood.

“Hello, Dr. Majors,” Cosimo said, extending a hand.

Gavin didn’t move to shake it. “So you’re the guy.”

Cosimo let his hand drop and shrugged. “I suppose that I am.”

I lingered near the door, glancing furtively at my mother. She seemed fine, as far as I could tell. Her chest rose and fell, and it didn’t seem as though he hurt her at all.

“I’m glad you came.”

I looked back, surprised. I hadn’t expected that. I figured he’d throw Cosimo out or maybe call security, but instead he crossed his arms over his chest and stared. Cosimo was a couple inches shorter than Gavin, and at least twenty pounds lighter, but the mobster didn’t seem intimidated at all.

“I’m glad as well. Shall we sit?” He gestured at the chairs.

Gavin hesitated then shook his head. “No need. We can finish this right now.”

“Oh, but Dr. Majors, please. I want to discuss our situation a little bit.”

“There’s nothing to discuss. I’m going to pay you the money Erica owes, and then you’re going to leave her alone.”

Cosimo’s smile faltered. “That’s not an option.”

“I’m sorry, you must misunderstand me. I’m not asking permission.” Gavin took a step forward and I wished he would stop. Cosimo looked calm, almost harmless, but I knew there was a psychopath lurking underneath that simple exterior. I remembered the SUV forcing our car off the road and into the utility pole, remembered the crunch of glass and metal and plastic, and the pain that flared through my body.

“Dr. Majors, I’m not trying to get off on the wrong foot here,” Cosimo said, keeping his voice even, “but I don’t enjoy being threatened.”

“There’s no threat here. I’m going to pay you money.”

“I don’t want your money.” He looked at me. “I want your wife.”

Gavin let out a strange snarl. “She’s not for sale.”

Cosimo laughed, mirthless and harsh. “Everyone’s for sale, doctor. Believe me, I’ve been in this business for a while now, and I’ve found everyone has a price.”

“She owes you thirty grand for her father’s debts and I’m willing to pay. Why would you push for more?”

Cosimo’s face changed in an instant. He went from somewhat calm and collected to a rage-filled demon faster than I would’ve guessed.

“I wanted her and you stole her from me, and that’s not something I can abide.”

Gavin snored. “So this is about your pride?”

“This is about my reputation. That girl was supposed to be mine, and now you’ve shown the world that my name isn’t worth fearing. If some doctor can come and steal away something of mine, then any asshole with a gun might get ideas.”

“I’m sorry you’ve chosen such a volatile business,” Gavin said with a smirk, “but that doesn’t change anything. Erica’s not for you and never will be.”

“You don’t seem to appreciate the situation you’re in, doctor, so I’m going to be explicit.” Cosimo didn’t move and his affect hardly changed—and yet the tension in the room seemed to double, even triple. I pressed myself against the glass behind me and stared between them, praying that nothing happened, and not sure how I would live with myself if something did.

In that moment, I saw for the first time how crazy it was that I accepted Gavin’s help. I never should have let him get involved in this, not for all the money in the world, not even if he begged me. I should’ve walked away, no, I should’ve run the hell away and dealt with it myself, but with my mother in a coma, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. And now Gavin was in trouble, and I was terrified he’d be the second person to get hurt because of me.

“You can threaten all you want,” Gavin said, voice low, “but I already told you the situation. I married Erica to keep her away from you, and now your best option is to take the money. Cut your losses. Be a smart man.”