Page 13 of Barristers & Bones

Roman narrowed his eyes and took my arm. “Yes. We’ll talk in the car.” He pulled me through the exit, and the cacophony of sound faded as we walked outside into the bright light. I shook off his hold and looked around.

“Wow, it’s so weird.” I turned back to the club. “It’s like a different world in there. The girls were nice about talking to me.”

“Do you golookingfor trouble, or do you just naturally attract it?” Roman's voice was a mix of irritation and exasperation.

“Neither. He thought I was a dancer, that's all.”

He put his hands on his hips. “You have to be more aware of your surroundings. This isn't the law school or a library.”

“Thanks for the safety briefing, Dad.”

His eyes flashed, and he suddenly backed me into his car. “If you value your next breath, you willnevercall me your father again.”

My heart pounded. “Alright. But you need to back up because Iwillknee you in the groin if you ever do that again.”

He slowly backed up, and I shook my head as I opened the passenger door. “You don’t know this, but my father is pretty much Satan incarnate, so I won’t call you that again.”

Roman stared at me like he loathed me. “You need to do what I say and stay out of trouble.”

“I’m fine. I can handle myself, and I know theperfectsolution if you want to get me out of your life. Let me out of this internship.” I slammed the car door before he could reply.

He walked around to his side and slid in. “That’s still a no. Did you learn anything worthwhile about strip clubs, then?”

“They’re calledgentlemen’sclubs,” I intoned patiently, throwing his words back at him. “And I did.”

“Like what?”

“That it’s like any other job in some ways. Fiona doesn’t allow the girls to act as escorts on-site. They also need health and dental benefits, and a retirement plan wouldn’t be amiss.”

His brows furrowed, and he stared at me. “Really? That’s what you got out of it?”

“I formed a few tentative opinions, but my data is incomplete. Did you get done what you needed to?” I asked.

“Yes.” Roman navigated the car out of the parking lot. “I’m hungry, and we’re not far from the Lamb and Wolf Café. Call them and let them know I’m coming. I want the grain salad with salmon. Look up their menu and give them your order too.”

“So you want takeout?”

He glanced at me. “No. I want the food ready to come out to the table when we get there. Tell them my name and that our ETA is about fifteen minutes.”

Roman liked things a certain way, and I was quickly learning he got what he wanted. Pulling up their menu, I winced at the prices. “This is a lunch place? Their average plate is at least fifty dollars.”

“Pick something and get our order in. I don’t want to be there all afternoon.”

I shook my head and decided on the shrimp scampi, then called and ordered, dropping Roman’s name. The hostess suddenly perked up. “He’s eating in then?” She sounded a little breathless.

“Uh, yes. He said we’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

“Perfect. We’ll have Mr. Fowler’s lunch ready to be served when he walks in. Tell him we look forward to seeing him.” I hung up and stared at my phone. “You must tip really well because I can’t imagine anyone being happy to see you otherwise.”

He smirked. “We have a stake in the restaurant, so I go there a few times a month.”

“Do you have a stake in Euphoria too?”

“Yes. It’s one of our more… interesting businesses.”

“It was likely a savvy move since you’re probably one of its best customers. With your prickly personality, I don’t know how else you’d get close to women.”

He gazed at me. “You’re certainly curious and have a lot of opinions about my interactions with women. Are you interested, Ms. Cross?”

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