Page 35 of Bad Medicine

“Hey, boss man,” I said, reflexively trying to diffuse the tension. “Ain’t you supposed to be in the big apple?”

“Rocco,” he snarled, and my heart started to race. “Get toSin City. Fuckin’ now.” He paused, and then added. “Bring the doctor.”

For the second time tonight, someone hung up on me.

“Well, Doc, looks like it’s time to ride.” Nodding my head to the passenger seat, I fished out my keys. “Get in.”

“What?” she practically shouted. “No. I’m not going anywhere with you. I have to get home.”

“Sorry, but duty calls.” When she still didn’t move, I stood from the car, watching as she swallowed heavily. “Mia,” I said seriously, one hand on her elbow as I guided her around the car to the other side. “That was Enzo. He’s asking for you. Now, you and I both know he wouldn’t be doing that if it wasn’t important.” I could see the questions in her eyes, but I pressed on, opening the door wide and allowing her to choose.

For now.

“I’ll fill you in on the way,” I said. “But, please. Just get in the car.”

She thought about it for a few more seconds, because of course, she did. Then I watched as she gathered her resolve, squared her shoulders, and slid as gracefully as she could into the seat. With more relief than I wanted to admit, I closed the door and jogged back to my side, casting a glance at her worried face before I turned the key.

The engine growled to life with a throaty rumble, the vibrations pulsing through my body and giving me a thrill. Pressing the pedal, I gave the motor a few good revs, smiling at the way she barked at the sky.

Fuck, I loved this car.

Pulling out of the parking lot, I hit the main road, grinning a little when the back tires caught the way I liked, the sweet sound of rubber and asphalt music to my ears.

“Christ,” Mia gasped, and I snuck a look at her out of the corner of my eye. Knuckles white, she clutched her bag to her chest like it would save her or some shit.

“It’s all good, Doc,” I teased. “This thing’s made of pure American steel. We could be hit by a tank and still come out alright.”

She glared, but seemed to relax a little.

“Doesn’t exactly pass emissions tests, though, does it?”

Laughing out loud, I shook my head.

“Nah, but she’s worth it.” Running my hand over the dash, I caressed my baby. “This is the first car I ever stole.”

There went that gasp again. “This car isstolen?”

“No, Doc. Not this one.” I turned to look at her. “I promise, she’s on the up and up. But way back in the day, when I was a kid looking to cause shit, the 1971 Chevelle was the first car I ever took for a joy ride.” Thinking back, I remembered the feeling of freedom I had gotten sitting behind the wheel. Barely tall enough to see out the window at fifteen years old, I had never felt more alive than I had in those few short hours.

It was a feeling I continued to chase, even now.

“So, you’ve been a criminal all your life, then?” she asked, and it was my turn to frown.

Sure, Enzo and I were a bit shady. Sure, there have been some times when we’ve had to color way,wayoutside the lines.

I may have even gone farther than that a time or twenty.

But was I really all that terrible in the grand scheme of things?

“Come on, Doc,” I cajoled, attempting to cover my hurt with humor.

Like always.

“I may be a bad guy, but I’m not abad guy.”

Mia sniffed, not looking at all convinced.

But I really didn’t care what she thought of me, anyway.