Page 56 of Ruthless Beast

“Good. Then you’ll enjoy my offering.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“Did you have fun today?”

“Clothes shopping?”

“Yes. And talking to Sandy.”

“Yes, to both. She’s a lovely person.”

“Sandy is very special to me.”

“You said you grew up together?”

“We did. She’s a few years older than I am, so she appointed herself my protector when we were kids. She’s a tough cookie. Don’t let her sweet smile fool you. She can whoop ass with the best of them.”

Emily laughs. It’s good to see her relaxed.

14

EMILY

Have I forgiven Lucas for kidnapping me? A little. I understand now why he did it, but some days are hard. Today, however, isn’t one of those days.

I've been awake since 6 a.m. Lucas and I, plus his gang of muscleheads and whoever else he’s planning on taking, are flying to Paris today. I’ve always wanted to visit this romantic city. I can’t wait to see the art galleries and the old buildings, and from what Lucas has told me, his chateau overlooks the Eiffel Tower. He says the lights at night over Paris are beautiful and I intend to soak it all in.

I need some fresh inspiration for my work. I haven’t painted anything noteworthy since David’s death, and I think it’s high time I got my mojo back. I know my brother loved my art. He wouldn’t want me to waste my talent.

It’s 9 a.m. when Dominick knocks on the bedroom door.

“I’ll be out in a second.”

I’m going to a city where style is king, so I’m wearing a white Chanel suit to celebrate the occasion. It’s gorgeous. There certainly are perks to shopping on someone else's dime, especially when it’s at a boutique.

Dominick smiles at me when I open the door.

“You look beautiful,” he says.

“Thank you, Dom.”

“I’ll take your bags.”

He waits for me to exit the room before he grabs the suitcase I’ve packed for the trip. I haven’t gone overboard. We’ll only be there for six days. Mind you, that’s plenty of time to collect a few small souvenirs, I’m sure.

“Thanks, Dom.”

The flight from Los Angeles to Paris takes ten hours. I imagine that Lucas and I will be traveling first class. Safety is an issue. Who knows how many enemies are out to get us?

“The Boss is meeting us at the airport,” Dominick announces, heading for the door.

“Oh, okay.”

Dominick opens the black SUV’s passenger door for me. I settle in for the trip to the airport.

Dominick sits next to me, behind the driver and co-driver. There are always at least two men with me when I go anywhere. It must be the magic number to keep me from harm. I feel a bit like a pop star with her entourage of hangers on. I half expect the paparazzi to leap out from behind a building.

“What airline are we taking?” I ask Dom.

---