Page 6 of Ruthless Beast

“Congratulations on your promotion, Lucas. I can’t think of a better man for the job.”

“Thanks, Andreas. Sometimes I wonder if this job is a promotion or a one way ticket to the grave.”

“So somber? This isn’t like you. What’s up?”

“Oh, just thinking out loud,” I remark, flipping through the folders on my desk.

“You wanted to see me. How can I help?”

“Yeah. I need background checks on a few people. George was old school—you know, handshakes, trust based on friendships, and the like. I’m more of a wanna-see-you-coming kind of guy.”

“I hear ya, Boss. Far too many trigger happy wannabes out there looking to get themselves into trouble. We don’t need that kind of heat.”

“Agreed. Here,” I say, handing my resident snoop the files.

“I’m on it.”

“Thank you, Andreas. Oh, and I want info on family members and significant others too.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

Taking over after George’s passing is something I’ve coveted for many years. It’s almost unheard of for a man of my tender thirty-six years to be promoted to the head of the mob organization. But I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve worked my ass off to get to the top, and I intend on staying here.

George had collected good people over the years—loyal people—but I want to make certain that the men I entrust my life and business to are worthy of their position. If there’s a snake, I’ll sniff it out. So far, I’m happy with the team that is now working directly under me. There are just a few guys I need Andreas to check out.

He is my Consigliere—my most trusted advisor. We’ve been working together for a long time. We’ve come through the ranks together, except where I’m less muscle and more management, and Andreas prefers to be behind the scenes as the ace sleuth. I trust him impeccably, plus the man is a savant when it comes to digging up dirt.

One man I am very happy to inherit from Geroge is David Thornton. His excellent reputation precedes him. A whiz with numbers, David has made himself indispensable to our organization, and in the mob world, that’s no easy feat.

I check the clock against the wall in my office. It’s 4 p.m. David should be here any moment now. I want to have a quick look at the finances, cash flow, investments, and projected income for the next six months.

There’s a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“David is here to see you, Mr. Lucchese.”

“Thank you, Samantha. Show him in, please.”

David is roughly my age, but he has the eyes of a man who has learned a great deal in his life. I read in his file that his parents died when he was in his early twenties and that he brought up his sister on his own after that. I find that commendable. Family is the most important thing, and I admire a man who honors his commitments.

“Hello, David,” I say, shaking his hand.

“It’s good to see you again, Mr. Lucchese.”

"Please call me Lucas. Take a seat.”

“Congratulations, Lucas. According to the murmurings, you’re the best man for the job.”

“So I hear. Thanks. Shall we get down to discussing some figures?”

“Of course.”

He and I spend the next hour going through the finances of the LA division. I’m impressed. He seems to have his finger on the pulse.

“It all looks good, David. From now on, you report directly to me, and only to me. I plan on running the show slightly differently than George.”

“Of course.”

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