Page 103 of Ruthless Beast

“Fuck,” Maria whispers.

“This is typical. Cell phones have taken over the world. No respect for other forms of communication,” I whine.

“We’ll find one. Don’t worry,” she sighs.

“I’m so hungry.”

“I saw a vending machine outside. Room service is out of the question, I’m afraid,” Maria insists.

“Hey, I’ll eat anything right now.”

“Here, take some cash.”

“Thank you. Can I get you anything?”

“Yeah, grab me a packet of crisps and a Coke. I’ll walk a little farther and see if I can find another phone booth.”

“You got it.”

“I’ll meet you back in the room. Don’t open for anyone but me. Okay?” she says and walks off.

I make my way to the vending machine and buy as many snacks as I can afford, after which I return to our motel room. Maria returns after about ten minutes.

“Did you find a phone?”

“No. We’ll have more luck in the daylight. I’m exhausted. I need sleep.”

“Okay. I could do with a few hours of sleep myself. Thank you, Maria. I will always be in your debt.”

“Just get us the cash we need to travel, and we’ll call it quits,” she smiles.

“You got it.”

“Oh, my goodness,” I say a few minutes later while we’re digging into the snacks I scored from the vending machine. “Junk food has never tasted this good. I can’t believe there’s beef jerky in that machine.”

Maria chuckles as I shove more food into my mouth.

“I guess the baby is hungry too.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“Me too. What’s it like to be a mother, Maria?”

“Wonderful. Scary.”

“I’m so sorry about your family, Maria. I cannot imagine the heartache you’ve had to endure.”

“Thank you, Emily. That’s why I want to go to my cousin's house. I want to start over. It will be good for me.”

“Well, if there’s anything I can do to help you, just ask.”

“What does the father of your baby do?”

This isn’t a question I’m prepared for. Will Maria still help me if she knows what Lucas does for a living? I wouldn’t if I were her. The mafia is the reason she and I are in this mess in the first place. How do I explain to her that I’ve fallen in love with the enemy? It’s too complicated to even contemplate.

“He’s a businessman,” I say instead.

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