Page 21 of Taken By the Underboss

“You can thank me by allowing me to return home.”

“Of course,” Teo said casually.

Sienna’s eyes widened, shocked by the ease at which he’d given in to her request, but she quickly recovered. “Just like that? I’m free to go?”

“Yes. I’ll call the pilot and have him prepare the jet for the morning if you’d like.”

“Thank you.” Sienna visibly relaxed into her chair and picked up her wine glass to take a drink for the first time since she’d sat down.

“I do have a proposition for you, though.”

“How did I not guess there would be a catch?”

“No catch. Just an offer.”

“I’m listening.”

“First, I'd like to see if you would consider staying here for a month or so to make sure that Luca's injuries heal properly, since you were the one to tend to him. Also, in our line of work, I’m sure you can imagine that what happened to Luca, although rare, does happen from time to time. When it does, we require a doctor who knows how to show discretion."

"So, you are wanting me to be a mob doctor?" Sienna didn’t sound impressed by Teo’s offer.

"Our family physician is getting older and would like to retire before long. My wife's family has their own doctor but that’s just not enough."

"We don't have emergencies often. But we do like to have a dedicated doctor that my men and their families can go to for regular checkups that's trusted. You'd be surprised how low our enemies will stoop to try to gain access to our members. Even as far as bribing a doctor to take unnecessary medical risks, if you understand what I mean."

"A doctor who would take a bribe is deplorable, if you ask me.” Teo and I shared a knowing look. “Medical treatment should be sacred. It's the main reason why I treated Luca without question. His life was on the line and as a surgeon it was my job to treat him regardless of circumstances.”

“And it's someone like you, someone who values human life so much. That's what we need.”

“But do you honestly hold human life in such high regard? Do you not kill? Threaten?”

“Do soldiers not kill when it is absolutely necessary? When it is for the greater good? To protect the innocent?”

“I wouldn't imagine many in your line of work would be consideredinnocent.”

“I wouldn't expect that you would, with the narrow view I'm sure you have of our family and families like ours. But I would like to invite you to get to know our family a little better. Take a tour of our clinics, that we open to everyone, offering free care with no questions asked.”

Sienna looked impressed.

"Our clinic and the Monticelli Family Clinic are stocked with high-tech equipment so that everyone can get the highest quality of care. Our doctors are not so busy with the members of our family that they can't reach out to the other people in our community. And we pay them well enough that they can afford to give free care to others."

"What you're saying sounds like a good thing but..."

"You are a woman of science. Of course, you're going to want to see the evidence rather than taking me at my word. I would like to invite you to stay here for a month as a temporary employee. You can see how our operation works and what you would be doing to get a real taste for it."

"I have my work at the hospital as well as other obligations back home."

"We can call and arrange a temporary transfer here or you can call and take a sabbatical for the month since you haven't taken much time off in years. I wouldn't think they would have a problem with that. And as far as your father goes, we could arrange for the jet to fly you down in two weeks for a visit, or I would be happy to have him transferred up here. We have excellent facilities in the city where he would be more comfortable than where he is now."

"How do you...?"

"I'm a man of means. That doesn’t mean just money but information, influence, and power. Our family needs a good doctor and I'm willing to do what I can to accommodate you if you would be willing to give it a try. All I ask is for one month and if it doesn't work out then I will have my men escort you home.

Sienna glanced at me as if she were looking for an answer. I forced a smile, giving her an encouraging nod. "You would be helping not just us but other people in the area. And I can guarantee that the pay will be higher than whatever you were making before. Besides, it's just one month."

"Alright, I'll help you out for one month. Just to make sure that Luca doesn't have any complications. But after that, I'm going home."

"Very well, I do ask that you keep an open mind while you're here, and I'm sure it doesn't have to be stated, but you will not repeat anything you see or hear while you are our guest," Teo warned.

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