Page 26 of Ruthless Beast

“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Two reasons, I’m guessing. One, he was ashamed, and two, he wanted to keep that world as far away from you as possible. You know your brother would have done anything for you, Emily. Above all, David wanted to keep you safe.”

“He told you, didn’t he?”

“Yes, he did. He needed someone to talk to. I was the least likely to be affected by it. Davy wanted to tell you, Emily. He and I had dinner together two nights before he died. We talked about it, and I told him he should tell you everything. I know you’re strong enough to handle it. He promised me he’d think about it.”

“I don’t know what to say. Is that why he’s dead?”

“I don't know. He spoke about working exclusively for one of his clients, but he never said who.”

“Is there any way of finding out who this client is?”

The realization of what Simon just shared with me suddenly hits me like a shovel. If David was working for the mob and he’s dead, how long will it be before someone kills me too? That’s how it works in the mob, isn’t it? That is, if Hollywood movies are to be believed. Am I about to come to a tragic end too?

“Are you alright, Ems? You’re very pale.”

“It just occurred to me that I may be next, Simon. Or you. Who knows what will happen next?”

“Why would they hurt you?”

“Who the hell knows? They may think I know something. It’s the mob, Simon! They don’t need an excuse to kill.”

I down my drink without pausing.

“I’m going to need something with a bit more firepower,” I say, waving the waiter over. “Whiskey, please. Neat,” I order when he comes over.

He smiles, nods, and then walks in the direction of the bar.

“Why don’t you go away for a while?” Simon suggests.

“How can I? I have commitments. I can’t just quit my job at the gallery. And how can I leave poor Daniella high and dry with the rent?”

“None of this is more important than staying alive, Emily. If this was indeed a mob hit, then who knows? You may very well be next. I think you should consider carefully before dismissing the idea so quickly.”

I empty the whiskey tumbler as soon as the waiter hands it over.

“More,” I breathe.

I don’t care if I get drunk off my ass. My life as I know it has just changed, and something tells me it will never be the same again.

“Where will I go?” I say after a long, awkward silence.

“You can go to my house in Spain if you like. No one will look for you there. You can stay as long as you like, Emily.”

“Spain! Are you nuts? I don’t speak Spanish. Where will I work? I don’t know anyone there. I’ll be all alone. No. I can’t, Si. I just can’t.”

Simon places his hand over mine.

“It’s going to be okay. I’m here. We’ll think of something. I know this is scary, but you have to think about going somewhere safe. Even if it’s just for a short while. Until this all blows over.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

I’m crying softly now. Not because I’m afraid of the future, but because I just imagined how afraid my brother must have been when he realized what was happening to him during the last moments of his life. The fear must have been crippling.

“We have to find the man who did this, Simon. I want him dead.”

“I agree. But we have to let the cops do their work.”

---