Free Relentless by Aliyah Burke

Chapter One
    “Everything would be simpler, Mr. Glazer, if you
would just sell to me. I’m offering you well over market value to
buy out your clinic.” Toby Latner flicked a piece of imaginary lint
from charcoal gray slacks with an impatient jerk of his hand.
    Reginald Glazer sat across from him, leaning back in
his wooden slot-back chair. The exhaustion in his eyes and embedded
in the lines of his face still didn’t detract from his
intelligence.
    “For you, I’m sure. However, for me, it would not be
worth it.”
    “The amount I am offering will take care of your
upcoming medical bills.”
    Mr. Glazer—Dr., really—cleared his throat. “Is that
what you learned in ‘business-take-over’ school? To mention a
person’s medical bills? When I say no again, are you prepared to
inform me just how expensive chemo will specifically be?” He leaned
back, the rusty hinge squeaking loudly in the otherwise quiet,
tense room. “I know your parents raised you better.”
    The reprimand fell as hard as rain, stinging with
the force of wind-driven sleet.
    It was his turn to clear his throat. “This sale
benefits both parties, Dr. Glazer.”
    “Mostly you.” He rocked forward, leaning strong
forearms upon the desktop. “You are offering me a sum of money
after which you make so much more because you will put in one of
those God-forsaken strip malls. This town doesn’t need that.
Doesn’t need a vet clinic run by some faceless corporation. I have
had the Cottonwood Falls Veterinary Hospital for over thirty years.
I treat these folks’ animals in this town.”
    Toby knew he’d struck a nerve with the flash of
uncertainty in his eyes.
    “I have plans.” Defiance laced Dr. Glazer’s tone,
his first sign of weakness.
    Toby adjusted in the chair. “You have plans.” He
tugged on his suit coat sleeve. “Those words are indications of
potential failures. What I am offering is a solution.”
    “Do you even remember growing up here? How this
little town was? You bringing in this strip mall—”
    “It will bring in jobs.” Toby couldn’t believe Dr.
Glazer was still arguing this. Why didn’t he just agree to sign and
get on with it? Why the need to hash out whether or not Toby
recalled growing up here?
    “It will bring crime. This is not the big city.”
    Didn’t he know it. He steepled his fingers, shoving
memories of the past to the back of his mind. “Are you going to
allow me to help you?”
    “No, he’s not, so feel free to take your shitty,
self-serving offer and yourself out of this office.”
    The angry feminine voice pierced him like lasers. He
turned to face the newcomer, ignoring the look of silent reproach
from Dr. Glazer.
    Holy shit. The good doc’s daughter stood there.
Melinda. Or so he believed. He raked his gaze over her from head to
toe, taking in everything from her red stilettos to her black,
lacy, body-hugging, barely there dress.
    Toby pushed to his feet in a smooth motion. She
tracked his action with her diamond-hard glare. He offered his
hand.
    “I’m Tobias Latner. I believe you are Ms. Glazer?
Melinda? You were two years behind me in school.” He bestowed his
most charming smile.
    Her expression remained unmoved. “I know who you
are, and if you feel the need to address me, you may call me Dr. Glazer.”
    Shit. He lowered his arm, the signs obvious she had
no intention of shaking his hand. “A veterinarian?”
    Her grin made him wonder about going to stand naked
in Antarctica on a glacier during winter to get some warmth.
    “I’m taking over my father’s business until he’s
ready to return.”
    “Melinda,” her father said in a warning tone.
    “Not about to be polite, Daddy, not to a man trying
to make a buck off someone else’s suffering.”
    Toby looked between them. There would be no progress
made here tonight. “I will see you later then, Dr. Glazer.” He
peered at Melinda—Mellie, a name he liked much better. Sexy. “Dr.
Glazer.”
    Striding to the door, he had to