Page 80 of Samson

“If circumstances were different, I might be tempted to take lessons from the guy.”

“You don’t have anything better to do than talk about my love life?”

“I only want to save you from the pain of being cast aside like all the rest.”

“So you’re here as a Good Samaritan? Thank for your kindness. Now you can go.”

“One good turn deserves another.”

“It’s not going to happen.”

“I’m afraid it is.”

“You’re wasting your time, and you know it. If Samson’s only interested in me for one thing, as you believe, then you would know he’d never tell me anything important. I’m sorry, Luca, but this has gone too far.”

Luca looked at the floor and nodded lightly.

“Luca’s done everything you’ve asked because you seem to think he still owes you, Marc. But I owe you nothing. Luca, I’m verbally resigning from my position at your restaurant. Thank you for looking out for me. I’ll get my stuff out of the apartment by the end of the day.” She had no idea what she was doing or where she would go, but being in Samson’s presence had given her strength to do what she needed to.

“I think you should stay,” Marc said.

“Staying would be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.” She glared at him and turned to go.

“If you walk out that door, there will be consequences.”

She stopped. “You’re threatening me now?”

“There are dangerous men who need Samson out of the way. If you don’t get on board, there is a price to pay.”

But she was less worried about what would happen to her and more worried about what they were planning for Samson. Maybe if she could get Marc to give something away, she could warn him.

“Why do you even need me? Don’t you guys blow up cars and things? You can’t come up with your own plan to take care of him? It’s not like he’s surrounded by bodyguards twenty-four-seven.”

“He may as well be. We’ve tried hit men, explosives, poison. Somehow he always knows. He’s always ready. When we send gangs after him, he tosses them aside like they’re rag dolls. It’s unnatural.”

She scoffed. “Sounds to me like you’re making excuses for being incompetent.”

“He’s untouchable. I need you to tell me how we can get to him.” He pulled his gun and walked up to Luca, pointing it at his head. Luca flinched but didn’t move.

“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” she said. Lifting her hands in a defensive gesture.

“Tell me what I want to know, or Luca dies.”

Luca’s lips trembled, and tears dripped to the floor. “Please, Delilah.”

If only she’d asked Samson to come up here with her. “I thought you considered Luca your friend,” she said carefully.

Marc sighed. “I don’t have friends.” He raised his weapon and smashed it across Luca’s head. Delilah jumped toward her cousin, but Marc pointed his gun at her. “Stay where you are.”

Luca moaned and tried to sit up but collapsed again.

“I need to call an ambulance,” she said, pulling out her phone. She’d call Samson first. He was closer.

“Put it away or I shoot.”

She looked at Luca, then slid the phone back in her pocket. “Don’t do anything you can’t take back.”

“I could say the same about you. If you don’t tell me what I want to know, Luca will need a hearse, not an ambulance.”

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