Page 45 of Samson

“What can I get you?” Bruno asked when he saw her waiting there.

“Nothing yet. I’m just…headed to Samson’s table to get their order.”

Bruno nodded. “Good luck.”

She turned in the direction she needed to go, closing her eyes for a minute to settle her thoughts. When she opened them again, Samson was looking at her, the side of his mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible smile.

She held back on the scowl she wanted to use as protection and instead maintained eye contact and walked toward him.

“This had better be worth it,” she mumbled behind clenched teeth as she made her way across the room.

It was quiet in the restaurant. It would have been better on a busier night. With fewer people to fill up the space, it would be easier for Samson to spot anything suspicious. But this pickupwas happening soon whether she liked it or not, and she was the one who would have to keep his attention from wandering.

“Evening, Samson,” she said.

“Delilah. I didn’t know you were on tonight.”

“You keep track of my schedule?”

“No, I simply observe. I didn’t notice you anywhere when I came in, and you definitely aren’t the same waitress who was serving us.”

“Your waitress wasn’t feeling well. I’m filling in briefly.”

“Must be my lucky day.”

“Yours, maybe, but not the sick waitresses.” She pressed her lips together. If she didn’t stop attacking him, she’d lose her chance.

“What about you?” he said. “Is it your lucky day?”

“I’m doing okay.”

“Is that so?”

“What can I get you guys?”

“I’ll have a whiskey. Neat,” Samson said.

“And for your guests?”

“They’re not staying.”

Delilah noticed the surprised looks around the table. “Okay. One whiskey coming up.”

She took deep breaths on her way back to the bar. There were so many conflicting emotions she was battling. On the top of the list at the moment was how she was helping Marc, but the trembling in her stomach belonged solely to Samson.

“Whiskey,” she said to Bruno. “You know how he likes it.”

“I sure do.”

When he brought the drink back, he held it back for a second. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just not happy having to come in on my day off.”

“You have a hard time saying no to your cousin?” He grinned.

“Something like that.” She took the drink from him and went back to Samson, whose table was now empty. He’d made it easy for her without realizing what he was doing. But she had the feeling she wasn’t the first person to attempt to deceive him.

“Your friends didn’t waste time leaving,” she said when she set the drink down.

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