The Price (House of Sin #5) - Elisabeth Naughton Page 0,61

Soaring ceilings, giant columns, a balcony three stories above that ran all the way around the rectangular room, and arching stained-glass windows that splashed warm light over everything.

My gaze drifted down, to the clusters of couches and chairs and a multitude of small tables in the middle of the room, the bustle of people, and the long coffee counter to the right, where patrons were waiting in line for their lattes and cappuccinos.

“It’s a coffeehouse.”

“Partly.” He pulled me with him through the busy space. “This building’s multi-purpose.” He pointed up, and when my gaze followed, I realized there were doors lining the balcony beneath those giant arched windows. “Offices above, café below.”

“Are they all medical offices?”

“Some are. Some aren’t.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but as he drew me to the back of the massive space, I spotted an enormous curved staircase carved from shiny dark wood that rose to the upper level.

“Wow.” I couldn’t help from sliding my hand over the smooth railing as we ascended the steps. “It’s amazing.”

“Most of these old buildings are. Some have been converted into bars, reception halls, even residential houses. I saw one they transformed into a spa. Cut out the main floor of the sanctuary and turned it into a giant pool.”

It was sad in a way. All this history, things people used to believe in, gone.

The hustle and bustle of the café could still be heard as we reached the upper level, but instead of turning right and heading down one side of the balcony that overlooked the main space below, Luc moved to the left, deeper into the old church, away from the noise and people.

We moved into a corridor. Arched windows still rose above, but the ceiling was lower, and the columns here were built into the stone walls. We passed several closed doors on both sides, but Luc didn’t slow his steps. Not until we came to a heavy carved wooden door at the end of the hallway.

He didn’t knock, just reached for the handle and turned. We moved into a small reception area lined with couches and comfortable chairs. An arched doorway was closed ahead. The walls were a dark wood paneling, the décor filled with deep greens and burgundy furnishings. A young blonde woman seated at a desk to our right looked up as we entered.

“Ah,” she said with a smile, “Mr. Salvatici. You’re just in time. Please, have a seat. Ms. Stanton will see you in a few moments.”

“Thanks.”

Luc nodded toward the seating area. Letting go of his hand, I moved toward the couch under the arched window, as far from the receptionist as I could get. Nerves rattling, I sat and was thankful when Luc sat next to me and closed his warm fingers over mine again.

I don’t know why I’d expected the doctor to be a man, but the fact it was a woman set me on edge. Aside from the fact we were in a church, this didn’t feel like a doctor’s office. The receptionist hadn’t given Luc any forms to fill out or any health questionnaires to answer.

I glanced toward the blonde at the desk as she pushed back and rose, moving papers around as if we weren’t even there. She seemed busy, but she didn’t look like a medical receptionist. At least not one I’d ever seen in the States.

She was pretty, probably midtwenties, with perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup. She was also slim, wearing a skin-tight dress that was too sexy for an office. And as I watched her, my mind immediately shot back to that weird medical exam I’d had in New York just after I’d been hired at Covet. The one that had been in an old building not much different from this, with receptionists and doctors who looked just like this girl.

Sickness swirled in my stomach. A sickness I didn’t like. I leaned toward Luc. “How did Felicity find this doctor?”

Luc opened his mouth to answer, but the receptionist glanced our way just as he was about to, almost as if she’d been eavesdropping. “Mr. Salvatici? I’ll need you to come with me for a few moments to run through a few things.”

“Okay.” Luc squeezed my hand and stood.

I started to follow, but the receptionist rounded her desk with a clipboard and said, “Oh, not you, madam. Wait here.”

Luc leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek with a whispered “I’ll be right back,” but I could tell he was nervous. And I didn’t