Page 40 of Ruthless Beast

“I’d say. We’re not exactly known for our humanitarianism, Andreas.”

“So we are in the mob. David made his choices. You’re not to blame for that.”

“No. I guess not. But I am going to make sure I keep Emily safe.”

“How long are you planning on keeping me here?”

“As long as it takes.”

Andreas laughs.

“What’s so amusing?”

“The fact that you think you can appease a woman scorned without losing a limb.”

“Haha. Funny.”

“Can I tell you what I think?”

“Can I stop you?”

“Probably not.”

“Okay, let me hear it.”

“I think this feisty stunner has bewitched you.”

“You do, do you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I owe her brother. That’s all.”

Andreas grins and gets up.

“Okay. If you say so.”

Smartass. He always did read me too easily.

I know I can’t leave Emily locked up in the basement for too long. The accommodations are pretty plush, if I have to say so myself, but even so, she’ll need to move upstairs into the main house. She’s pretty pissed at me right now, so I’ll have to charge one of my men to keep an eye on her so that she doesn’t do anything reckless, like run away. Emily is a feisty, independent girl. I wouldn’t put anything past her, including scaling down a drainpipe to get away from me.

I have an idea to keep her mind occupied. Hopefully, Emily will see my intentions more clearly if she can quiet her mind and the rage she must have right now. I decide to take a drive to an art supply store close to the house.

The sales assistant watches me as I comb the aisles, looking for the right supplies. I’m clueless, really. I haven't done art since preschool, and even back then, my creations were less arty and more splodges.

“Can I help you, Sir?” the assistant smiles, eagerly looking to help me out of the pit.

“I think you’d better, yes.”

“What are you looking for?”

“I have a friend who’s a painter. I’d like to buy her a few supplies so she can paint, but I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“I see. That’s very sweet of you. Don’t worry, I’m sure between the two of us we’ll figure it out.”

“I’m glad you’re confident,” I smile.

“What is your friend's medium?”

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