Page 37 of The Criminal’s Cure

As I pace at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Maddie, I’m actually antsy. Pre-date jitters are a new thing for me in general, but tonight is next level.

Maddie and I have been out dozens of times, but something feels different about going to an event like this together.

Like truly going public with our relationship.

Many of my own associates are donors to the hospital and will be there tonight, not to mention all of Maddie’s coworkers.

The event draws national attention, and it will for sure be heavily photographed.

First impressions are everything in my world, and I love the idea of having Maddie on my arm.

It feels like a big step.

She took me up on my offer to buy her a dress, but I don’t know anything about what she picked.

She and Lucinda have dodged my questions about it all week, only telling me it’s black so I could dress accordingly.

After learning from my last experience, I dropped Ty off with Joe and Sarah earlier in the afternoon so Maddie and I could get ready in peace.

He was less than thrilled, but when Maddie offered to send him a picture of us in our outfits, he mellowed out.

I glance at my watch and groan. I hate being late for these types of things, because all the tables in the back are usually taken by then.

“Maddie?” I call up the stairs.

When she doesn’t answer, I head up the stairs. I hear her music playing from down the hall and edge her door open when I get there. “Maddie, are you—”

The second I see her, I lose all train of thought. Holy shit.

Maddie stands in front of her floor-length mirror, angled just enough that she can’t see me.

It gives me a few seconds to drink her in before she notices that I’m here.

My heart thunders in my chest as I trace her curves, thinly veiled with the fabric of the black, floor length dress she and Lucinda chose.

The slit in it is so high that I love it as much as I hate it—love, because it gives me easy access and hate, because I know it’ll have the imagination of every man at the party running wild.

Her golden curls are pinned back on one side, spilling over her bare shoulder on the other as she fastens a sparkling diamond drop earring.

She bows those candy color lips as she gives herself one more look in the mirror and then turns around.

I don’t know how she manages to get even more beautiful than she already is, but somehow she does. She’ll be the envy of every woman there tonight, and the best part about Maddie is that she’ll have no idea.

She flinches a bit when she finally sees me. “Hey! I didn’t realize you were up here.”

“I came to see if you were ready to go, but when I saw you…” I sweep my arm around her waist and take her hand in the other, spinning her back and laying her onto the bed. “I completely forgot why we were leaving.” I nuzzle into her neck.

“Oh, no…” Maddie smirks, playfully pushing me off of her. “You’re the one who said we had to do this. You can’t back out now.”

Groaning, I roll over and lift myself off the bed, and Maddie follows. “That was before I knew you were going to pick a dress that purposely tortures me all night.”

“Mmm.” Maddie presses her lips together. “I distinctly remember asking you to come with me so you could pick it out.”

“You did.” I let out a heavy, dramatic sigh. “This is my fault. I deserve it.”

Maddie giggles, rolling her eyes at me.

“All joking aside, you look like an absolute dream, Maddie. So fucking gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” She blushes, straightening my bowtie. “So do you. I like the all black look.”

When Lucinda dropped off Maddie’s dress, she left a couple options for me as well, and I settled on the black on black on black tuxedo.

“Well, with the way you reacted, it felt like we were going to a funeral, so I decided to dress accordingly.” My hand slides across her ass as I lead her out of the bedroom. There’s a spice to her perfume that fills my lungs, so sweet that I could get drunk off it.

“Very funny,” she quips. “To be fair, I haven’t exactly been in the celebrating mood, but I am tonight.”

I raise my eyebrow. “Really?”

She nods. “You’re right. It is kind of fun to get dressed up and go to a fancy party. Plus, I’m excited to meet some of your friends.”

“I’m excited for you to meet them, too.” I grin, squeezing her hand as we walk to the truck.

The gala is at the Bellagio, and by the time we get there, it’s already crawling with elitists. Maddie seems hesitant, as if she thinks she doesn’t belong here, but I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and lead her inside.

“I’m nervous,” she whispers as we pick up our name plates and head into the dining room.

“You have no reason to be.” I put a rough finger to her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes.

“You are the most beautiful person in this entire room. Hell, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Compassionate, brilliant, and you’re going to make an incredible trauma surgeon one day.

You belong here, more than about seventy-five percent of these morons. So stop doubting yourself.”

Maddie blushes, but before she can respond, we’re being rushed by another woman.

“Maddie! I’m so glad to see you! When your name wasn’t listed on our table, I was worried you decided not to come.” The woman throws her arms around Maddie, and I step back.

“Hi Peyton.” Maddie smiles, relaxing and regaining her composure a bit. “It’s good to see you.”

“So what’s the deal? Does Dr. Bauer have you sitting with your dad tonight?”

Her dad? A haunting chill settles in my bones. Maybe I’m going to get that face-to-face meeting sooner than I thought.

“My dad is here?” Clearly, Maddie had no idea about this either and her face turns sheet white.

“Well, I haven’t actually seen him yet, but his name was listed in the program.” Peyton frowns.

“Maddie is sitting with me tonight. I’m sorry to steal her away from you guys.” I put on my most charming smile and step in because Maddie looks like she’s about to be sick. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Roman Molanari.”

“Of course!” Peyton turns her peppy attention towards me. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Maddie and I have been friends for a long time. I guess if I have to give her up tonight, you’re a good enough reason.”

“I appreciate that.” I chuckle, snaking my arm around Maddie’s waist.

“Well, come find me later.” Peyton gives her one last squeeze. “And it was lovely to meet you, Roman.”

She flits away before either of us can respond.

“Are all of your friends so bubbly?” I grin, turning to Maddie.

She bites her lip, letting out a small laugh. “No. That’s just Peyton’s personality, and she’s even more upbeat tonight because she loves this kind of thing.”

“A rare breed.”

“That she is.” Maddie’s voice is tight.

“You’re worried about running into your dad, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” she breathes. “I didn’t even know he was coming. We haven’t spoken since I left St. Louis. I mean, he’s always invited, but he’s never made it out before. I didn’t think this year would be any different, but…” she trails off. “I guess it is.”

“Babe, if he’s here, we’ll deal with it. Okay?” I press a kiss to her cheek. “Peyton said she hasn’t seen him yet, so there’s no reason to get stressed about something that we don’t even know is true.”

She swallows, nodding. “I could certainly use a drink. How about you?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

I follow Maddie to the bar, and after we get our drinks, we wander around for a bit until it’s time to find our seats. We’re at a table with a few friends of mine, which is perfect. It’ll take a bit of the work pressure off of Maddie.

Even though the gala is for the hospital, most of the people are unassociated donors.

Because these events focus on attracting money, the guest list is filled with some of Las Vegas’s most affluent people.

Most of them I do business with and know very well.

I probably know more people here than she does.

When we take our seats, I make introductions, and can see her start to relax as she chats with a few of the wives.

I watch her for most of dinner, amazed by the way she fits into any crowd.

She has them all on the edge of their seats as she tells them about the things she’s seen pass through the ER, and I feel so fucking lucky to be the one she’s with.

“How did you guys meet?” Craig, one of the men, asks.

“Uh…” I scramble for an explanation because, while most of them know what I do, I can’t exactly admit the truth about how all of this started between us.

Luckily, Maddie jumps in. “I treated his son a few months ago. We just kind of clicked.”

I lean forward, one arm around her shoulders and the other hand resting on her bare thigh, right where that slit pulls. “I knew right then there was no way I could let her get away.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t kidnap me,” she taunts, shooting me a wink.

“I am, too!” Craig chuckles. “Roman certainly has a way of getting what he wants.”

“I’m going to get another drink while you all harass me.” I stand and grab our empty glasses. “Another champagne, babe?”

“Sure, thanks.” She smiles, cheeks already turning a soft shade of red from the buzz.

“Whiskey on the rocks and a champagne, please.” I set our glasses on the bar as I order.

A man comes up next to me and at first, I don’t realize who it is. When I turn to see Dr. Bauer, I look away in disgust before I do something I’ll regret.

“Roman.” He slaps me on the back as if we’re old friends. “Enjoying the night?”

“Yep,” I answer shortly. Conversing with him isn’t high on my priority list. I can play nice because he’s Maddie’s boss, but that’s about it.

“I’m glad I caught you alone. I’ve been wanting to speak with you ever since you brought lunch to Madison.”

I shoot him a harsh glare. “Well, here I am.”

“What exactly are you trying to pull by dating Madison? Is this some kind of way to get back at me for not telling who made the mistake with Talia?”

“What?” I let out a sharp laugh. Of course, this pompous bastard thinks my relationship with Maddie is about him. “You’re out of your mind. I love Maddie and I haven’t given a fleeting thought to you in months.”

“Roman, let’s be real here. What are the chances you wind up with one of my most promising surgeons after everything you and I have been through?”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Bauer. This has zero to do with you. Now if you’ll excuse me...” I turn, but he catches my arm.

“Roman, before you go, there’s someone I want to introduce you to.” He waves another man over. “This is a friend of mine. Dr. Mark Taylor. He’s a trauma surgeon in St. Louis, and his daughter works with me at St. Luke’s. Madison. I believe you’ve met her.”

I clench my jaw, hand cinching around the drinks in my hands. This son of a bitch. He’s really going to do this right now? “I do know Madison. She treated my son earlier this year, and she’s a wonderful doctor. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Taylor.”

Fortunately, the words come out sounding less bitter than I mean them, a skill that I’ve perfected.

“That’s good to hear.” He gives me a stiff smile, but from what I can tell, he has no idea about Maddie and me. “But she won’t be working at St. Luke’s much longer, right Dr. Bauer?”

“Not if we can help it.” He snickers. “Mark and I need to go chat with another donor, Roman, but I’m glad that the two of you got to meet.”

“So am I.”

I watch until the two men join another group and get engulfed in conversation. I don’t know what they’re up to, but it can’t be good, and I need to find Maddie and warn her before either of them do.