Page 86 of Mob Princess

“I told you he was recording you,” his wife said.

Then, I stopped the recording. “What part do you want me to play back for you? Hmm?”

Bonnie sighed. “You’re brilliant, Israel.”

I nodded at her. “You’re not so bad yourself, beautiful.”

“That’s it!” Pava roared. “Let me out of this fucking chair and fight me like a goddamn man, you son of a bitch!”

“Psychological game, right?” I asked.

He glared up at me. “You’re done for, do you hear me? You’re finished, Israel! You and your entire pathetic, weak-ass family!”

I slid the recording device back into my pocket and planted my hands on the arms of Pava’s chair, before placing my face so close to his I could feel his putrid breath against my skin. “I’m going to leave you here to free yourselves but enjoy the moment. Because if there’s anything you don’t give a man like me, it’s time. I’m using this time to plan, Pava. I use time to connive and concoct and concur. So, enjoy the time you have trying to get yourself out of these bonds. Because when you come out of this room? I have a plethora of games waiting for you. Games I’ve wanted to play with you for a long, long time. And if you don’t play them? If you don’t enjoy them? If you don’t give it the good ole’ college try? This recording goes to the police, and I’ll let the men you’ve abandoned slaughter you in gen pop. Am I making myself clear?”

Pava grimaced. “Crystal.”

I leaned up. “Come on, Bonnie. We have dinner plans.”

When I offered her my arm, I found her staring at me with wide, untamed eyes and a small smile against her cheeks.

“I could use some food,” she said as she took my arm.

We left in stride together, keeping in time with one another while her uncle yelled curses after us.

Curses that wouldn’t do him a bit of good with the hell I was about to rain down upon his head.

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