Page 11 of Samson

“Gentlemen like us can sort out our problems with words, don’t you think?”

“I sure hope so.” He cuffed Cramer, then passed him off to one of his men. “I know you’re good, Samson, but I’m always astounded at what you manage to accomplish.”

“All in a day’s work.”

“Work that you appear to enjoy.”

“Come on, Trevors, you know me better than that. Of course I enjoy it. Don’t you?”

“Cleaning up after you? Not always. But you’ve left me bigger messes than this before, so I’m not complaining.”

“I didn’t know you ever complained about my work.”

“I have my moments. Your methods are often beyond my scope.”

“That’s why you love me.”

“I might be crazy for it, but you’re not far off.”

Samson laughed and gave him a jab in the shoulder. “I’d like to stay and chat, but I’ve got an appointment I’ll be late for if I don’t leave now.”

“As long as you get me your report.”

“You’ll have it by the end of the week.”

“You say that every time, and every time I have to chase you up.”

“I promise this time.”

“Yeah, right.”

Chapter 4

A steady beat woke Delilah,and she laid still, listening to the music that soaked through the floor. “This must be what jazz fusion sounds like. Or is it fusion jazz?”

She sat up and stretched her neck, then noticed the time on the giant clock that hung on the wall opposite. It said it was after nine.

“That can’t be right.” She yawned, then pulled her phone from her backpack and confirmed the time.

She fell back onto her pillow and rubbed her forehead. It was going to take a few days before she would get her body clock back on track, but if she tried to sleep more now, she’d end up wide awake at two in the morning.

After blinking away her fatigue, she rolled off the bed and lifted her suitcase, laying it open in front of her while she took stock of its contents. It contained what was left of her life after she’d sold everything to try and pay off her outstanding debts. In the end, it still hadn’t been enough.

She tipped her head to the ceiling to keep the tears from coming. She couldn’t keep wallowing in the past. This was herlife now. She was turning over a new leaf, which meant getting over the hurt.

Luca had offered her dinner, and, even though she’d had little appetite over the last few weeks, she knew whatever he served her would be great. He had impeccable taste.

After washing her face, she stared at her tired reflection and pushed her cheeks back, then tugged at the skin near her eyes, trying to erase the fatigue. It refused to budge, so she took the time to apply some makeup before changing into a soft blue sweater.

But as she stood in front of the mirror, running her hands down her skinny jeans, she frowned. Carpi wasn’t a casual restaurant. She hadn’t considered that when she’d downsized. In her despair, she’d gotten rid of everything she’d thought she’d never wear again and now had little in the way of appropriate clothes.

She went back to her bag and pulled out a pair of leather pumps, then returned to the mirror. It was enough for her to blend in and would hide the grief she carried around with her.

As she navigated the narrow steps, she kept her mind on the present. It helped that she had to dodge around staff before she could enter the dining room where the music came into a fullness of sound. She paused to take it in. Luca had said it was magical, and as she looked around the room, she had to admit he wasn’t far off.

The atmosphere transported her out of her sorrow. It was exactly what she needed.

She made her way to the bar and was lucky to find a seat. The place was packed, just as she’d expected, but it didn’t feel crowded, just full.

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