Page 89 of Ruthless Beast

“I don’t know, Boss. We were running when they jumped us. Someone knocked me out. They must have kicked the shit out of me when I was on the ground. When I came to, she was gone.”

“And it never occurred to you to call me?” I thunder in frustration.

Damon looks down at his shoes.

“I’m truly sorry, Boss. I was afraid for my life so I stayed out of sight. Please forgive me.”

“Who got the jump on you?”

“I didn't recognize them.”

I suppress the urge to wrap my hands around Damon’s neck so I can squeeze the life out of his useless ass. I’m not convinced yet of his story. Let’s face it, he wouldn’t be the first gangster to get a buddy to whip the snot out of him so that he can substantiate a bullshit lie, and he won’t be the last. But I have to keep in mind that either way, he’s my only link to Emily right now, so it would behoove me to keep him close.

Damon is sweating. Is it guilt or is he nervous? I’d be nervous too if I were him. In fact I’d be downright petrified. His life depends on how he answers my questions. If I suspect even for a second that he’s bullshitting me, it’s, as the Red Queen once said, off with his head!

“Just get out,” I sigh. “Don’t leave the estate.”

I have to be alone for a moment so I can figure out what to do next. Damon leaves the room.

“What do you think?” I ask Andreas.

“Something isn’t right,” he answers.

“Yeah. I thought so too. His story is far too polished.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him. Follow him around. If he’s lying, I’ll find out for sure.”

“I hope for his sake he’s telling the truth. I’m sure I don’t have to spell out what I’m going to do to him if he had anything to do with Emily’s disappearance.”

“You’ll have to get in line, Lucas. I’ll happily put him down.”

“Do me a favor. You’ve got a connection with the phone company. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Buy old Vanessa a box of candy and ask her to get us a copy of Damon’s text messages, will you? If he’s dirty we should get what we need that way.”

“Good idea. I’m on it.”

Andreas heads for the door but stops before he leaves.

“I’m truly sorry, Lucas. This is my fault. I should have dug a little deeper into his past.”

“Andreas, you’ve been a loyal friend and an excellent employee for many years. We’re good.”

“Thanks, Boss,” he says without looking at me before he leaves the room.

There’s no point in taking out my frustrations on Andreas. He’s helped me out of many jams before and without him I’d probably be dead already. If Damon is dirty he’ll get what’s coming to him.

* * *

Emily

Vince didn’t come back. I assume he had better things to do. His visit did at least have one small silver lining, as my dancing time was cut in half. Woop!

My morning sickness is subsiding, thank God. I’m so tired of spending the better half of my day praying to the great white porcelain god with the gaping mouth. I’ve lost far too much weight. My only saving grace is that the weight loss will hide signs of my pregnancy for a while longer.

I’ve been in this hellhole for a month already. How time flies when you’re swinging from a pole like a cursed circus animal. Paolo is beyond creepy. I’m very surprised that he hasn’t made the moves on me. He seems to help himself to the other women in the club, but not when it comes to me. I wonder if Vince Gallo has anything to do with it.

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