Page 32 of Kingpin

I furrowed my brow. “How have you seen it?”

“Daddy does recon very, very well. He knows all about his assets and what he’s going to bargain for me when settling the estate.”

“Ah.”

“But anyway, I think you should stay a little while longer. I mean, do the plan. But, do it right, you know? Because I’d really love to enjoy this money a little while longer. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a big chunk of money just plopped into my account.”

I paused. “How much money?”

“Uh…well, I mean, without looking at my account? Around three hundred and fifty grand, I guess.”

About as much as I had left.“Wow. That’s some serious cash. When did you get it?”

“A few days ago? Maybe a week? I don’t know, the days blur together in paradise. I can’t wait for you to join me, by the way. I fully expect you to come and visit me as much as you can. You wouldn’t believe the hot guys out here. I mean, they’re practically shirtless all day long! It’s a woman’s dream.”

Did my own cousin siphon that money? Or did Uncle Pava take it from me and give it to her?

At least I knew that Israel didn't have my accounts frozen.

“Hello? You there, BonBon?”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry. I thought I heard someone in the hallway.”

“Do I need to let you go?”

“Actually, I want to ask you something before we get off the phone.”

“What’s up, girl?”

“There have been some weird things happening. Things that are interfering with plans on my end. I mean, obviously, the wedding night didn’t go as planned. But there have been other things.”

“Like what?”

“Well, something to do with bricks and notes. It happened here, and at Israel’s warehouse. Plus, when I was touring his facilities to get an idea of where he spends his time, there was a firefight. I mean, assault rifles and guns just everywhere. It was madness.”

“Holy shit. It sounds like it. Are you okay?”

I nodded. “I mean, I’m fine. So is Israel. But he's become warier of me since all of this started. You know what I mean?”

She paused. “Hmmm, I can understand that.”

“It probably doesn’t look good that he married me, then all this shit kicks up.”

“I’m sure he’s not a stranger to stuff like this, though.”

“But in such quick succession? There’s a reason why he has such a brutal outer persona. You really think he’s experienced all of this stuff in less than three weeks before?”

“You make a good point.”

I hung my legs off the edge of the bed. “Does our family have anything to do with that stuff?”

“With what stuff?”

“The bricks. The notes. The shootout. Because if they do, I really need them to stop. It’s getting in the way of my plans, and it’s not going to help matters if he’s distancing himself from me.”

She sighed. “Well, I mean, can we ever really control what happens?”

I blinked. “What?”