Chapter Five—Hard Bargains

“Miss Hart.”

Eveline stood rooted to the spot as he walked into the room, a polite smile on his lips. He walked over to her, stretching out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Vale. I’ll be handling your father’s case.”

She couldn’t say a word. Her lips wouldn’t move and her brain went blank. Was this a prank? Lucien Vale, Shane’s uncle?

He wasn’t wearing the sweatpants anymore.

He had on a crisp light blue shirt, with black pants and a white coat. His sleeves were rolled to his elbow. She noticed a tiny tattoo on his wrist—a stylized phoenix, matching a bigger one she’d seen on his chest last night.

When he’d stripped off his shirt and she’d lost all coherent thought, and then her mind…bent over, her toes barely touching the floor.

Before she knew what an asshole he was.

“Evie?” Belinda came over, noticing the vacant look in her eyes. She placed a loving hand on Eveline’s arm. “This is the doctor I told you about. I’m sorry,” she laughed nervously as she turned to Lucien. “Evie’s been through a lot. I’m sure she’s glad you’re here, but you’ll have to give her some time.”

“That’s fine,” he said, easily. Easily. He was still smiling at her. “I understand how hard it can be, and I’ll do my best to make the process easier for you. If you’d like, we can talk in my office.”

He swept a hand out toward the door.

Eveline remembered his last words to her an hour ago. “Get out.” He’d ordered her out of his apartment after accusing her of cheating on Shane.

Her lips curled with a dry smile. “Sure,” she said. “Your office.” She walked away first, raging inside, leaving him to follow after her.

Eveline didn’t stop until they in his office, with the door closed behind them. She didn’t want anyone overhearing—especially Belinda, who had no idea what Shane did. The nurse had always gushed about how happy she was for Eveline, offering to scout venues for her wedding, way before Shane gave her the ring.

“Are you stalking me?” She demanded, whirling around with her arms folded.

“Stalking?” Lucien’s chuckle rumbled with a humorless laugh. His eyes narrowed and slanted as he walked over to his desk, perching on the desk. He shoved his hands into his white coat. “Why would I do that, Eveline Hart? Do you think last night was so special I couldn’t get you out of my head? I don’t care for souvenirs; unlike the others you’ve been with.”

Eveline stuttered for a moment. The audacity of his statement. “Then what are you doing here?”

Lucien turned slightly, picking up a nameplate. He inspected it briefly, before holding it up to her. “Dr. Lucien Vale, MD, PhD. Consultant Neurosurgeon,” he read aloud. He dropped it.

His eyes hardened as he faced her again. “According to the director, I’m the only hope your father has. I wonder--,” he tapped his chin, “—what he’d say if he found out that his daughter called his doctor a stalker.”

Eveline’s eyes widened. “I—”

“Didn’t accuse me?” He cut in. Her breath hitched as he took a step closer. “Nurse Belinda told me you’re smart. She said you keep a record of every drug, every prescription, operation, that your dad has undergone. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what you said seconds ago?”

She knew.

But she hated his guts. Hated how smug he was, walking into the room and pretending like they just met for the first time. He called her a souvenir. Her jaw tightened and she bit down on her tongue, swallowing her frustration.

If he was the last hope her dad had—

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

“What?”

Her gaze fell to the floor. She dug her fingernails into her thighs, forcing the words to come out louder. “I’m sorry,” she said. “It was a mistake.”

“I’m sure it was.”

Her head shot up. His smile tilted wider as he turned away, settling down on his chair. She watched, her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palm as he picked up the only folder on his table.

Lucien flipped through it. “Hm…” he murmured to himself. “Hm…huh. I see.”

Eveline could feel her patience slipping. She chewed the inside of her cheek, tasting blood as she forced the words she really wanted to say back down. “I—” It slipped out.

He glanced up. “Is there something you’d like to say, Miss Hart?”

“My father,” she said quietly. “Can you really make him better? The other doctors gave us a year at most.”

Lucien clasped his hands as he leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Yes,” he said. “I can. That is, if you’re willing to do as I ask.”

Eveline wasn’t going to say no. She’d done so much already, she was willing to give up much more.

“Okay,” she nodded.

“Your father will require round-the-clock care after the surgery,” he said, picking his words slowly. “I’ve arranged that he be moved into my villa after then, so I can keep a close watch on him.”

His villa? Why would he go out of his way to be kind?

“On the one condition that you move in, too.”

Eveline shook her head as her brows squinted. She was certain she’d heard him wrongly. “You want me…to move into your house?”

Lucien’s fingers tapped lazily on his desk. “Yes.”

“W…why?”

“If I’m right, then your father’s condition might be genetic. It’s possible you have it too,” he told her plainly. “I intend to keep an eye on you, until I’m certain you’re not going to end up in the same bed.”

“I’m adopted,” she blurted out. “He’s not my biological father. We don’t share the same DNA. You don’t have to worry about me.” The thought of being under the same roof with Lucien Vale sent a shiver down her spine. And not in a good way.

Lucien stood up, rounding his desk with slow, measured steps. Eveline felt her chest tighten again…the familiar feeling of breathlessness whenever he came too close to her. It was like a drug, making her head spin.

“Then maybe I’m doing it because I can,” he murmured. “Maybe I intend to see how far my nephew’s little fiancée will go to save her father.” He tilts his head, studying her. “You would do anything for him, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m—”

“Engaged?” He wasn’t letting her speak. “I don’t think Shane would say no if you told him, it was a life-threatening situation, would he?”

It felt like he was pushing her to the edge, waiting for her to snap. “Dr. Vale,” she took a deep breath. “I don’t see what my living situation has to do with your job. And I’m sure the director wouldn’t be pleased at what you’re suggesting.”

The door opened before Lucien could reply. An older man with graying white hair walked in, his hands behind his back. The hospital director. “Miss Hart,” he greeted Eveline with a smile. “It’s so good to see you again. I see you’ve met Dr. Vale. He’s our best and brightest.”

“Actually,” he leaned closer. “He turned down several hospitals to be here with us. I trust that the two of you will get along well—I’ve given him full reign over your father’s case. He’s to handle it as he sees fit.”

Eveline glanced at Lucien, only to find him looking at her.

He tipped his head slightly and she could read the look in his eyes clearly. It was the look of a man used to getting everything he wanted.

A man who knew she was going to say yes.