Mancini's POV
Marie was such an annoying pest. She would bring up her piteous acts in odd places. Like anyone cared about her story.
I had told them to dress her up and cover up all her scars, and she stood there like the whole dinner was about her wasting my time.
Deanna nodded, though her expression told me she didn't believe her. She didn't press further.
I pulled a chair out for Marie, a performance I reserved for public moments, then sat down myself. Marie wouldn't dream of having me treat her like a gentleman. She didn't deserve it.
Lionel was still by the stairs watching from a distance.
"Is he going to stand there all night?" Marcus asked, pointing to Lionel.
"He's my right-hand man. Don't worry. He's just doing his job, but I think it's relatively safe here. So I will send him away," I said.
I made a signal to Lionel, and he understood I needed him to give us some space.
