Page 42 of Samson

“Marc is not your friend. He’s using you. Not to mention he almost got you killed.”

“D.”

“On several occasions.”

“That was a long time ago, and this isn’t like that. It’s a small favor.”

“He doesn’t know the meaning of a small favor.”

“Well, this is. It’s just a pickup. That’s it. Quick and painless.”

“If it’s no big deal, then why do you need me?”

“Because Samson sees everything. That’s why I’ve been doing these on a Thursday, ’cause he’s not usually here.”

“This is a regular thing?”

“It’s been a few times.”

“What does ‘a few’ mean?”

“A handful.”

“Give me a number.”

“I don’t know. In the past year, maybe a dozen. Samson has never been in the restaurant at this time before, and I can’t afford for him to see this. If he gets wind about what Marc is doing, I’ll finished.”

“That can’t be true. Marc can use this place as an exchange point without the owner of the restaurant knowing anything about it.”

When Luca didn’t respond, Delilah’s mouth dropped open. “You’re a part of it? Why would you let yourself be compromised like that?”

“I’m not mixed up in his gang anymore or anything. D, please. I owe him.”

“No. Whatever he did for you back in the day, that was a long time ago. Besides, you’ve paid enough of a price for anything he did when we were kids.”

Luca looked at the floor, and Delilah’s stomach tightened. “That visit the other night. When I found him in the office with you. That was more than a friendly visit? I was right? There was something more going on?”

“Whatever you might think of Marc, I couldn’t have started this place without him.”

“Don’t tell me that.” She groaned. “Are you insane?”

“I was going under. You, of all people, should know how that feels. If there was any way for you to save your company, wouldn’t you have done it?”

She had to pause and consider what he’d said. Would she have done anything? There had been some desperate moments when she’d looked for a solution that never came. But taking money from a guy like Marc was never worth the risk.

“There are certain lines I would never cross,” she said.

“Then I guess you’re a better person than me.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Isn’t it? You used to be the successful one, and now I am.”

“You think I’m jealous?”

“I don’t know. Are you?”

She shook her head sadly. “I’ve been nothing but proud of you.”

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