Page 88 of Ruthless Beast

“Are we friends?”

“We could be, if you play your cards right,” he grins.

“I have all the friends I need, thank you.”

“I see. Feisty. I like it.”

The door opens. It’s Paolo.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, Mr. Gallo. It’s urgent.”

Vince stares at me for a few seconds before he gets up.

“We’ll continue this discussion later.”

“You. Get back to work,” Paolo says as soon as the tall man is out of the room. “I don’t pay you to stand around here looking pretty.”

You don’t pay me at all, you bastard, I want to say, but then think better of it.

I spend the rest of the night wondering what Vince Gallo has to do with Lucas. They can’t be on good terms, or Vince would do the right thing and get word to Lucas about my fate. No. I get the feeling that Vince Gallo is the reason I’m here. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he has something to do with my brother’s death.

I have to get the hell out of here before it’s too late! Damn it, Lucas! Where are you?

21

LUCAS

“We found Damon,” Andreas says as he storms into my office.

“What?” Where? What does he have to say for himself?”

“He says he was knocked unconscious when he tried to escape the car with Emily. He looks like he’s taken quite a beating.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s downstairs.”

“Well, bring him here, for fuck’s sake! I want to talk to him.”

“Sure.”

At last. Something is finally going my way for a change. I’m going to question Damon properly until I’m satisfied that he doesn’t have a hand in this. God help him if he does, because I’ll gut him like a fish.

I’m surprised when he enters the room. He looks like he’s been through the mill.

“Where the hell have you been, Damon?” I demand. “Where is Emily?”

“I’m so sorry, Boss. I’ve been laying low for a few days. I was afraid the men who jumped us were out looking for me.”

“What men? Where is Emily?”

“I don’t know, Boss. I’m so sorry. I tried my best to protect her. I swear! I thought they were going to beat me to death.”

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

“They ambushed us when we were on our way home. Poor Dominick was taken out immediately. I instructed Emily to stay down while I drove through the streets trying to shake them.”

“Where is Emily, Damon?”

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