Page 30 of Ruthless Beast

“The main house?”

“Yeah. I’m not ready to explain myself to her, though. So I need you to pick her up for me.”

“Is that a euphemism for knocking her out and bundling her into the trunk of my car,” Andreas smirks.

“Yup. Just make sure you don’t hurt her.”

"I wouldn't dream of it.”

“Thanks. I owe you one.”

“No sweat. I’ll let you know when it’s done.”

* * *

Emily

I have to talk to Dannie about leaving. I’ve been putting it off for days now. She’s not going to be happy. I’m not exactly bubbling over with excitement either, but what can I do?

I’m at our favorite pizza joint, waiting for a takeaway. The best I can hope for is that a slice of Dannie’s favorite cheesy snack will placate her while her best friend drops the bombshell that she’s running away.

“Honey, I’m home,” I call out once I’ve unlocked the front door to our apartment.

“In the bedroom!”

“Hey,” I say from the open doorway of Dannie’s room.

“Is that pizza?”

“Yup. Your favorite. Pepperoni with extra cheese.”

“Okay, what have you done?”

“It’s what I’m about to do.”

“Uh-oh. Come on. I’ll get the wine,” she sighs and leaves the room.

I join her in the living room, where I flop myself down on the sofa. Dannie places an unopened bottle of red wine and two glasses on the table next to the pizza.

“Right. The doc is in. What’s ailing you, princess?” she says, pouring the wine.

“I’m scared, Dannie.”

“Why, Ems?”

“If David’s death was a mob hit, then I may be next.”

“We’ve talked about this, my friend. It’s been months. Don’t you think that if you were next, they would have done something by now?”

“I can’t take that chance.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I have to leave LA.”

“And go where?”

“I could go stay with my cousin in Texas for a while. Just until I’m on my feet. I can get a job there and a place of my own.”

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