Page 68 of Ruthless Beast

Dominick has a sidekick today. I guess Lucas wants to make sure that I’m protected to the gills.

There’s a new driver, too. Am I surrounded by Lucas’ dream team today? I wonder what happened to my regular driver, Ben.

“Good morning, ma'am. My name is Damon,” the driver greets me as soon as I’m seated.

“My mother was a ma’am. Please call me Emily.”

“It’s a pleasure, Emily.”

It’s odd how one builds up an image in one’s head about mobsters. I suppose watching too many Mafia movies will do that. I suppress the urge to laugh out loud at my naivete. I guess there’s a lot about the real world that I’m yet to learn. What is that old adage? Fact is stranger than fiction. I’d say.

“Where’s Ben? Why haven’t I seen you before?” I ask the new driver.

“Ben is visiting family. I’ve been working for Mr. Lucchese for about four months now. I work mostly the night shift.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry, ma’...sorry, Emily, I’ll take good care of you.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Damone isn’t what I would have expected a driver in the mob to look like. He has a babyface that makes him look as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. I’ve seen tougher looking boy scouts in my time. But I guess he must be good at what he does, or Lucas wouldn’t entrust my safety to him.

“Where are you from, Damon?”

“Detroit.”

“LA must be quite the change of scenery for you.”

“Definitely. I prefer living here. The weather is amazing, and the people are much more relaxed.”

“It must be all the fresh air and the smell of sunscreen wafting through the air. It’s always summer in La La Land.”

“That’s the truth.”

Dominick doesn’t say much. He’s his usual stoic self as he sits next to me in the car. His sidekick sits next to Damon, watching the sideroads as we pass by, thoroughly scanning the surroundings.

I’m getting used to my entourage. At first, I was awkward in their presence, but now I hardly notice. Even so, I pray that Lucas finds the killer soon. I don’t know if this is the way I want to spend the rest of my life.

Sandy is waiting for me in the store. Her bubbly greeting makes me feel right at home.

“So, how was Paris? I bet you were the best dressed beauty there by far.”

“Paris was magical. I’d go back there at the drop of a beret,” I grin. “I did feel like a queen, dressed in the gorgeous outfits you chose for me.”

“Wait until you see the suits that have just come in. Lucas is going to bust an artery when he sees you in them.”

I smile awkwardly. I don’t know if talking to Sandy about Lucas and my relationship is wise. I don’t know what the two of them have discussed.

“You don’t have to play possum, Emily,” Sandy grins. “I can see on Lucas’ face that he’s smitten with you.”

“We’re getting along,” I say, not giving away much.

“Uh-huh,” she says, winking. “I haven’t seen Lucas ‘getting along’ with a woman in a while.”

Now I’m intrigued.

“Oh?”

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