Page 14 of Kingpin

I closed my eyes as he released me, and I forced my unsettled mind to take a breath. Time away from him had obviously tainted me, and I had to remember where my allegiance stood. I reached for the bags on the ground and picked them up. My arm throbbed, but I tried not to pay it any mind. I never thought I would see a day when I forgot how to speak to him. When I faced someone so malicious and dirty that I no longer remembered I needed to fear my uncle just the same. With that grab, it all quickly came back to me.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. Really. We’re all under a lot of stress.”

“Just get in the car. So we can talk.”

“I don’t know if Israel will like that.”

“Just because you’re married to him doesn’t mean I’m not still family.”

I paused. “Can we get a smoothie before we head back? I haven’t eaten yet today.”

His eyes flared. “He’s not feeding you?”

I shook my head. “It’s not like that. I overslept breakfast, then I made us lunch, but he didn’t want to have any part of it.”

“Any part ofyourcooking? Why not? Your cooking is fabulous!”

I shrugged. “Like I said. Been a weird past few hours.”

He gripped my arm again, but softer that time. “We can swing through any place you want to get some food. What about that milkshake place?”

I snickered. “If I’m going to entice the man with my body, the last thing I need is a milkshake.”

“Is that why you’re purchasing all of the lingerie and tight dresses?”

“How long have you been following me?”

He led me to his car. “Since you left his place.”

“But why?”

He swallowed hard. “Because when I didn’t hear from you last night, I assumed the worst.”

My heart broke for my uncle. I couldn't imagine what it was putting him through. Having his daughter half a world away while his adopted daughter slept in Satan’s lair without so much as a peep on the phone. I climbed into the car and plopped the bags at my feet. I clutched my purse in my lap, drawing in a deep breath. I was thankful to be away from the prying eyes of the crowd.

Regardless, I still felt as if I were being watched.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

My uncle sat next to me. “Tropical Smoothie, please. Then, back to Israel’s place.”

“Yes, sir.”

My father rolled up the partition between the driver and us to give us some privacy. I wasn't particularly sure privacy was something I had the luxury of anymore. My uncle knew best though. He knew what the family was capable of, and I knew how important my mission was. I knew he would never endanger the secrecy of it to have a conversation with me.

“You do know he’s going to ask questions if you’re buying string bikinis in the middle of a rainy Chicago spring. Right?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I can simply tell him I’m preparing for some luxurious summer trip we’re going to take.”

“You mean the honeymoon he refused to go on?”

“Something like that. Consider it a back-up plan for my back-up plan.”

“Got any plans that can be executed sooner? Because being a widow would suit you.”

I shot him a look. “Don’t worry. I’ve purchased just as much black. I know I have a job to perform. Plan A and B both fell through. Now, I’m improvising.”

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