21
" What the hell?” I muttered. Then I realized it was Jack Quinn’s car. Jack was a Hound and Bea’s boyfriend. The left blinker flashed on for just a second, and then Jack drove at speed again.
“Zayvion, I’m sorry to tell you I think I have a crush on another man.”
“Who is this unfortunate and soon-to-be-dead fool?” he asked.
“Jack. That’s his car. He must have been waiting for us, or maybe he followed us.”
“Jack Quinn has been following us?” Shame said.
“And now he’s taking us to Collins, I think.”
“Or a trap,” Shame said.
“He’s a Hound, Shame.”
“My statement stands.”
“You still don’t get it, do you?” I turned left, following the car. “Hounds are loyal. Jack and Bea told me they’d help me if they could. They’re not going to turn against me while I’m in trouble.”
“What happens when you’re not in trouble?” Shame asked.
“Don’t know. It’s never happened. "
― Devon Monk , Magic Without Mercy (Allie Beckstrom, #8)
23
" Andrew laughed at the use of the word “theater.” “B.Atlman will have plenty of theater on Monday,” he said, “when Estée Lauder arrives to secure a prime location in the new cosmetic department. I was told on Friday that she intends to bring along her husband, Joseph, as well as her sons, Leonard and Ronald, to make sure she gets exactly what she wants.”
Nina laughed loudly. “Oh, she’ll get what she wants all right. She’s a determined woman.” She glanced sideways at Dana. “And we know what a determined woman can accomplish, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do,” Dana replied. In Nina’s presence, the restrictions imposed by Bea and Helen seemed almost trivial. Dana had experienced a single setback, but Nina was a reminder of what real determination and enthusiasm could accomplish.
“Her reputation precedes her,” Andrew said. “Ira already told me to give Ms. Lauder whatever she wants.”
“Sounds like a done deal,” Dana said.
“That’s why there’s going to be a little drama on Monday,” Andrew said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “The space she wants has already been promised to Charles of the Ritz. "
― Lynn Steward
