Page 87 of Mob Princess

31

Bonnie

The fresh airthat wafted up my nostrils contrasted the stingy basement I’d been locked in. It contrasted the darkened home we just escaped from, and it definitely contrasted the phantom feeling of that gun pressed against my palm.

I looked down at my right hand to remind myself that I wasn’t holding it any longer. Instead, I held Israel’s hand, our fingers intertwined and his thumb stroking my skin as if I were some sort of beautiful prize to him.

I love you, my Israel.

We approached his car and he reached for the handle. “Your door, beautiful.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Anything for you.”

My heart fluttered at his words. “Do you really mean that?” I sat down inside the car.

He sat next to me before his eyes met mine. “I meant everything I said in there and then some.”

I shook my head. “I still can’t believe you came after me, that you risked so much money and the entirety of your empire to come rescue me.”

“Well, I’ve found out a few things about my own family since this debacle started.”

That was a curious turn. “Wow. It hasn’t even been a full day.”

He chuckled. “Nope. Been a long day, though.”

I leaned back against the seat. “I’m starving.”

“I meant what I said about food. Gary?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Back home, please.”

“Of course, sir.”

I furrowed my brow. “Gary?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

I released a ghost of a chuckle. “No, no. Sorry. I just—since when do you call him Gary?”

Israel grinned. “It’s a new development.”

“And the ‘please?’”

He winked at me. “You tell anyone I use that word and you’re dead meat.”

I smiled. “Sounds like foreplay to me.”

He growled. “Don’t I know it.”

I looked down at the device in his pocket. “Are we going to take that to the police?”

“Oh, I’m having the chief of police meet us at my place. I’m going to hand this off to him, and then your uncle is going to be facing a very interesting trial.”

“So, you think they’ll arrest him and hold him without bond until the trial?”

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