A dull ache in his temple twitched as he stared down at her silly expression. Leave her? What was he thinking?
He shook the thought out of his mind, turned her to face the bedroom, and ushered her back down the hallway. He never even paused at the room she’d slept in last night. That seemed so long ago.
From now on, she was sleeping in his bed. But for how long?
Chapter 9
Roman blinked at the screen in front of him, willing the words to scramble themselves into a different order.
He read the next message from Tex and sighed.
Tex: I’m sorry, man. Wish I had better news. You might want to get a lawyer.
Roman sat back in the chair at the kitchen table and stared out the window at the early morning sun. It was so damn pretty out there. So serene. So perfect. Staring at the waves lapping into the shore, it was hard to believe there was evil lurking in the world.
But there was an abundance of it, and an unfair dose had been poured in Sofia’s lap for years.
He couldn’t help wondering what would have happened to her if he hadn’t coincidentally come to Norfolk for vacation and eaten in the diner where she worked on precisely the evening she hit rock bottom.
He shuddered. Was it a coincidence? Or did fate have a hand in things?
He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes. He had work to do. A lot of it. This was not how he pictured spending his days at the beach. But then again, he wouldn’t trade anything if it meant he also got to have Sofia in his bed.
He finally pushed back the chair and stood to go check on her. It was nine in the morning. She’d slept late again. And he couldn’t blame her. She probably needed two months of sleep to make up for whatever she’d gotten in the last few years. Between working too many hours and stressing over bills mounting daily, it was a wonder she hadn’t gone insane.
He found her on her back, still asleep, her arms tossed over her head. The sheet had drifted to her belly, leaving her breasts bare to his view.
He stood next to the bed for a long time watching her breathe.
She was so gorgeous. So strong. So damn perfect. Why had he ever thought his age made a difference?
And now that he didn’t give a shit about the decade and a half between them, what was he going to do? It wasn’t like he could bring her with him on his next assignment. He didn’t have any control over where and when it was located. Involving a civilian was not permitted.
His chest tightened again.
Fuck.
She stirred and then blinked up at him, a smile spreading across her face. “How long have you been standing there?”
He shrugged. “Not long.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
He smiled and set a knee on the bed to lean over her and kiss her lips. And then he sat beside her and took her hand. He hated ruining the gentle, easy, early-morning look on her face. “I wish you could stay in bed all day and let me pleasure you until you were worn out, but we have a problem.”
She flinched. “What is it?”
He met her gaze. “That nursing home has been robbing you blind. We need to go talk to them.”
“What?” She sat up abruptly, paying no attention to her nudity, which pleased him. “How do you know? Are you sure?”
He nodded. “My friend, the one who owns this house, he did some digging for me. It’s bad. The owner has been charging several clients way too much money for years. Not just you. You’re one of the lucky ones. I can see looking at your finances that you wouldn’t have been able to make the next payment. Then things would have really gotten ugly.”
“Ugly how? I mean I knew I was in trouble, but surely he wouldn’t have kicked my mom out to the street if I explained things. I thought maybe I could make an arrangement with him. She’s been there for years. I’ve never missed a payment.”
Roman pursed his lips for a moment and then continued. “Yeah, you’re half right. He wouldn’t have tossed her to the street. And he most assuredly would have made an arrangement with you. I know this because he’s preyed upon several other women in your position over the years.”
“Then why do you look so distraught? And what do you mean about him overcharging me? How much?”
“A fuck ton, baby. And I’m distraught because his ‘arrangement’ with other women like you wasn’t the sort of ‘arrangement’ that involved sending monthly checks to keep your mother’s spot in her bed.”
She stiffened. “Roman. Spit it out. What are you insinuating?”
He took a deep breath. “What that asshole does is provide seemingly top-notch care for a patient while over-charging their loved one for years, sometimes over a decade. He knows they’ll run out of money eventually. And he doesn’t care about them no longer being able to pay because he’s already collected far more than they owe for all that time.”
“You mean like insurance? That I didn’t know about?”
He shook his head. “Sofia, what I mean is he never tells the women he over charged them. Instead he has them backed into a corner they can’t escape, and he trades sex for the continued care of their loved one.” There was no way to put it more bluntly.
She gasped, yanking her hand out of his and hauling the sheet up to cover her breasts as if he’d personally violated her. A reasonable response. “Please tell me you aren’t serious.”
“Oh, I’m deadly serious. He has at least nine women about your age rotating in and out of his office every few days to pay with their bodies for the continued care of their mother, or father, or grandparent.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Please God. No.”
Roman reached out and tugged Sofia into his arms.
Thankfully she let him.
He rocked her gently back and forth, and when it seemed she wasn’t going to completely fall apart on him, he kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair. “There is good news.”
“How is there good news?” she asked his bare chest.
“You haven’t been blackmailed by him yet. And I got here just in time to help.”
“How?” She leaned back. “What the hell am I going to do? Should we call the police? What will happen to my mother?”
Roman shook his head. “Slow down, baby. I have a plan.”
Sofia didn’t like the look on Roman’s face. She stared into his deep brown eyes, but couldn’t read his plan. Hell, it had taken her several minutes of explanation to grasp the full scope of what she was facing. A tear fell down her face. She wiped it away. “I don’t have another option. My father chose this facility. At the time, he had money. I didn’t. He was already sick himself. Dying.”
“Were you with him when he made arrangements for your mom?”
“Yes. Always. Every time. I knew I needed to be on top of things. I knew he’d eventually leave the pieces to me. He did his best to make every possible arrangement. And I promised him I would take care of Mom if it was the last thing I did. I promised.” Her voice wobbled as it grew louder. She felt frantic. She squeezed Roman’s biceps too tightly, practically shaking him to understand.
He ignored the grasp of her fingertips, threaded his hand in her hair, and held her steady. Grounding her.
She choked on a sob, but held it in check.
“Sofia, look at me.” His voice held the commanding tone she’d learned to obey. It wasn’t sexual this time, but demanding all the same.
She met his gaze.
“Were you with your dad when he made the arrangement with Kenneth Viking at the nursing home?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Would it have been obvious your dad was sick?”
“Definitely. In fact, Mr. Viking pulled me aside to ensure I would be able to continue paying for my mother’s care in the event my father passed.”
Roman nodded. “That’s what I suspected.”
She swallowed. “You mean that disgusting piece of shit would bribe me to sleep with him if I went in there today and told him I was out of money?”
“Yes. And that’s exactly what I need you to do.”
“What?” she shouted. She tried to free herself from Roman’s grasp, unsuccessfully.
He nodded again. “Calm down, baby. I didn’t say you were going to go through with it. I simply stated that I needed you to go talk to him. I’m going to hide a recording device on you and tape the entire conversation.”
It took her a moment to absorb his words, and then she cringed. “Oh, God. That seems dangerous.”
“It won’t be. He’ll never know you’re recording him. You’ll tell him you’re considering his offer and get the hell out of there as fast as possible. And then you’ll wait in the car while I go in and have a few words.”
No. No way. She managed to wiggle out of Roman’s grasp and slide off the side of the bed to pace the room. She grabbed a T-shirt of his off the floor and put it on even though she knew he would normally argue.
Luckily he didn’t move.
She needed to think, and she needed space without him touching her to do it. She rubbed her temples with both hands as she paced the room. Finally, she stopped and faced him. “I can’t let you do that, Roman. Let’s just call the police.”
“And say what? That you suspect Mr. Viking is going to ask you to trade sex for eldercare? That won’t be good enough, Sofia. They’ll need more to go on.”
“What about the other women? Could we contact them and get them to all call the police? That would work.” Wouldn’t it?
“It might. And it might not. But it would take time. Time you don’t have. And then the police would close the place down, and it would be years before you see your money. If ever. Meanwhile, your mom would be homeless, and you would have a hard time finding another place for her. You and dozens of other people in the same predicament.”
“Dammit.” She tipped her head back to shout at the ceiling.
“My way is quick and efficient.”
“What about all the others? You don’t think it’s a shit move to leave them all in a bind prostituting themselves?” Everything Sofia knew about Roman would suggest he wasn’t nearly that big of an asshole.
“Of course not, baby. Come here.” He reached out a hand toward her. His voice held that command again. It lured her toward him whether or not she thought it was a good idea to let him touch her.
She melted every time his skin brushed against hers. Nevertheless, she stepped toward him.
He reached out and hauled her into the V of his legs. He brushed a lock of hair off her face and cupped her cheek. “Please trust me. You know me better than that. You have to know I have it all figured out. Go take a shower. I’ll fix you some breakfast, and then I’ll explain the plan on the way.”
She took a deep breath. She did trust him. More than she’d ever trusted another human being. She’d trusted him enough to let him dominate her. She’d trusted him enough to let him into her heart when she knew he was going to break it. She’d also trusted him enough to let him spank her. Her ass was still sore with the reminder.
She nodded. “Okay.”
He smiled. “Thank you.”
Chapter 10
Sofia fidgeted the entire drive to the nursing home. She listened intently to every instruction Roman repeated. By the time they arrived, she had memorized exactly what to say. Now she needed to put on her game face and go inside.
He turned to face her and took her hand. “You’ve got this. You know that, right?”
She nodded, her head bobbing too fast. “Yes. Got it.” She twisted the bracelet she wore.
He set his hand on top of hers. “You’re okay. Don’t worry about being nervous. You should be nervous. Kenneth Viking will expect you to be nervous. You’re coming in to tell him you’ve run out of money. If you didn’t appear stressed, something would seem strange.”
“Right. Of course.” That logic actually helped. She reached for the door.
He grabbed her arm. “Sofia, look at me.”
She turned back toward him. “I’m good. I’ll be fine.”
“Babe, you’ll be terrific. I know you. You’re strong. We’ll win this battle and any other that creeps up, okay?”
“Yep.” Any battle that occurs before you leave me again, you mean. She stepped out of the car and made her way to the front door.
After telling the woman who worked at the front desk she was there to see the director, she took a seat, trying not to fidget. The lady at the desk was new. Sofia had never seen her before. Of course, Sofia hadn’t been there in six weeks this time, but still.
Within minutes, the woman returned and told Sofia that Kenneth would see her now. The lady was older. Maybe sixty. Graying. Did she know what kind of man she worked for?
Mr. Viking stood from behind his desk, beaming at Sofia as she entered. “Ms. Leskov. What a pleasure. I haven’t seen you in a while. Everything been okay?”
He knew. Suddenly Sofia was certain this fucker knew exactly when her money ran out and how long it would be before she showed up to suck his cock. Joke was on him today. She wasn’t going anywhere near this asshole’s nasty dick.
She took a seat across from him, conscious of the fact that she suddenly felt much calmer than she should. She needed to act more nervous. Twisted.
She played with her hands unnecessarily in her lap. “I’m in kind of a bind.”
“Oh?” He sat up straighter, lifted a brow. “What sort of bind?”
Oh yeah. The fucker knew.
“I’ve lost my job. I’m short this month. I’m trying to catch up. You know how it is.” She gave a fake shrug. “I was hoping you’d be able to give me a few extra weeks to come up with this month’s payment. Hopefully I’ll find another job and get it back together quickly.” She rambled. Intentionally. That had been the plan.
“Oh darn.” Kenneth slouched with great exaggeration. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.” He shook his head slowly, a sad puppy expression on his face.
“Yeah. Snuck up on me. I’m searching everywhere, but I wasn’t able to finish my degree. It’s hard to find something.”
He continued to shake his head as though commiserating with her.
She fought the bile rising in her throat, threatening a revolt of the delicious breakfast she’d eaten.
Kenneth leaned forward, setting his elbows on the desk. “That stinks, Ms. Leskov, but I’m afraid we have a strict policy here. If you don’t have the funds, you’ll have to move your mother to another facility by the end of the month.” He glanced at his calendar. “This Friday.”
For a moment she froze, thinking this had gone completely wrong.
And then he leaned back as though pondering, tapping his lips with one finger. He smiled, cocking his head to one side. “You know, Sofia, you’re an attractive woman.”
Jackpot. He had switched from Ms. Leskov to Sofia.
She sat up straighter. Thank God Roman schooled her on how to react. Otherwise she might have fainted. She wasn’t the sort of person who was generally strong enough to handle this sort of thing. No one in all her thirty-five years had ever suggested she prostitute herself in lieu of payment for anything.
“Perhaps we could come to some sort of arrangement. After all, you’ve had an exemplary record with us for years.”
“Oh, thank you, sir. I was hoping you would see it that way. I’ll do anything.” Vomit.
He tapped his pencil on the desk, eyeing her speculatively. “Did you know I’ve always admired you?”
She shook her head. “No. Really?”
“Yes. Amazing, intelligent woman like yourself trapped in a messed-up situation having to care for aging parents.” He sighed as though seriously sorry for her.
Again, she thanked God Roman had shown up in her diner two nights ago. If he hadn’t, she would still be sitting here at this moment but with far less armor. “Thank you, sir. I can see you understand.”
“It will probably take you a while to get back on your feet, and I don’t want you to have to worry about your mother. I know
it’s hard.”
She forced herself to pretend to relax into the chair.
He also pretended to ponder further. And then his eyes lit up. He stood, came around to her side of the desk, and leaned his ass against the edge. His legs were inches from hers, making her uncomfortable. “Are you in a relationship, Sofia?”
“What? No. I don’t have time for that sort of thing.” She waved a hand through the air, dismissing the idea.
He reached out and stroked her cheek and then grasped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Not at all like Roman. Not suggestively. Not as though she had a choice in the matter. He literally forced her.
She swallowed, her stress genuine.
“If you’re unattached, and I am too, maybe we could strike a bargain.”
She smiled, trying to seem eager. Trying not to freak out over his hand on her skin. His smarmy hand that made her cringe inside. “Anything.”
He leaned forward.
For a moment she thought he might mean now. That he might kiss her and expect her to suck him off right this second or something. She nearly peed herself.
“I work long hours,” he whispered. “I get bored. It’s lonely here.”
“I’m sure.”
“Maybe you could agree to visit me a few times a week.”
“Visit?” She feigned ignorance.
“Yeah.” He leaned closer, his rank breath making her stop inhaling. “An exchange. I’d ignore the payments you owe for a few months, and you’d…” he shrugged, “…you know, return the favor.”
She forced her eyes wider. “Sex? You want me to sleep with you?”
He licked his lips. “I’m an attractive guy.”
“Yes. Of course. I mean, I can see that.” She leaned back, trying to dislodge him and put some distance between them. “But, let me get this straight. You’re saying if I sleep with you, you’ll let my mother stay here?”
He smiled. “Now she’s catching on. What do you say?”
She paused, forcing herself to look shocked. Frankly, it wasn’t difficult. She was shocked. Even though she’d been prepped for this exact conversation, it still stunned her to hear it out loud from this piece of shit.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Saving Sofia (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Underground Book 7) Page 8