Page 59 of Samson

“You sure about that?” Marc said.

She glared at him. “Yes.”

“You might change your mind if you heard my offer.”

“All right. Spit it out so you can leave. What do you want?”

“The same thingyouwant. For Luca and his restaurant to prosper.”

“It will prosper just fine without you.”

“Yeah, see, that’s the problem. That cart has bolted.”

“What does that mean?”

“The success that Luca now enjoys is because of me.”

“He already told me that. But that doesn’t mean you can keep expecting favors from him.”

“You have it all wrong. I’m the one who did him a favor.”

“It’s not a favor if you make him owe you for the rest of his life.”

“I’m not forcing him to do anything he doesn’t want to do. Because the thing is, if I’m doing well, he’s doing well. And vice versa.”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Samson is what is wrong.”

“I distracted him like Luca asked.”

“You did. Very well done.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Unfortunately, it’s not enough. Luca is not my only investment, and Samson is getting in my way. He’s paying me way too much attention, and it is imperative that I protect this other venture. Luca’s prosperity depends on it.”

“Your other projects have nothing to do with Luca.”

“Like I said, if I prosper, he prospers. Up until now, Samson has been untouchable.”

“Yeah, I hear he’s good at his job.”

“He’s not just good. It’s almost as if that man has supernatural powers.”

“Like a superhero.” Delilah scoffed. “You’re delusional.”

“You ask any criminal in this city, and they’ll tell you the same. And now he’s got me in his sights.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Seems to me you have a great deal of influence over that man.”

“You’d be mistaken to think so. If I tell him to lay off you, that will only make him more interested.”

“That’s not what I need from you.”

“I already told Luca I’d only distract Samson once. I’ve done that.”

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