This isn’t a date, she reminded himself. Why was she acting this way around the man whose guts she hated with a passion? Right. Because she was desperate and needed his help.
What did that make her? Worse than her father?
Marco opened the car door to his black Ferrari for her. She slipped in, wondering why the hell she hadn’t politely refused. She could still back out, except Marco closed the door for her and took the driver’s seat.
She didn’t expect him to act like a gentleman. He started the car and the engine gave out what sounded like a purr.
“She drives as smooth as she sounds?” she asked out of curiosity.
“Yes, she does.” He paused. “You’re interested in cars?”
“I worked at a car dealership before. We only had one Ferrari. Never sold and an old model.”
“Worked. Past tense?”
Lila bet he knew that already, that he was making small talk for conversation’s sake. “Let’s cut to the chase. You keep tabs on the people who work for you or used to, and their loved ones.”
Marco let out a laugh, which surprised her, because it seemed out of character for him. “I forget you speak your mind. It’s a welcome change.”
“Let me guess. You prefer your women quiet and obedient.” The words came out of her mouth before she could stop herself and she regretted them immediately. Lila didn’t come here to start something, especially not with a man whose help and protection she needed.
“Don’t,” he said in such a quiet, frightening voice that chilled her to the bones, “presume to know what I want.”
Silence in the car again, but that was fine. Lila was used to being inside her own head. She looked out the car windows. She had to start over, avoid antagonizing him.
“You knew I was here. No lies. Please.” Thepleasemust’ve worked because he lightened up.
“I heard you moved back to your dad’s old apartment.”
“I did. I lost my old job, but you knew that already.” Lila paused and wondered if she should say more. Losing her job was the least of her problems. Did Marco know the full extent of why she was back here? Before leaving the city she’d tried to make her home, she had the distinct impression someone was watching her. Not Crane but someone else. A guardian angel.
“You’ve never cashed in any of the checks the Familia sent.” A statement, not a question.
“I can stand on my own two feet.” Lies easily came out of her mouth and she hated herself for it.
“You’re drowning in debt.”
The truth felt like a slap in the face. She clenched her fists on her lap. “You know all about me, then?”
He certainly didn’t deny it. “And about John.”
“John’s history. I don’t want to talk about my ex.”
“He’s the reason you’re back here. You ran to this city, to me, to avoid the fuckers John owes money to.”
Lila drew in a shaky breath. “So, you do know enough.”
“We’ll talk about it more after we have some coffee.” Another order, but Lila could only nod. She hated the fact she needed something from him but she didn’t relish dying quite soon yet.
Marco parked the car across the street from a coffee shop. Through the sideview mirror, she saw another black, nondescript car doing the same. Marco’s watchers, she guessed. They got out of the car. She looked at the coffee shop he’d brought her to.
“Does your family own this joint?” she asked.
“We won’t be bothered here,” Marco replied.
Once again, he held out a hand to her, which she hesitantly took. Marco held all the cards and he knew it. He led her inside. They ordered their coffees. He offered to pay for hers and she let him.
“And two chocolate muffins,” Marco added to the waitress.