Page 67 of Kingpin
“You said so yourself that—”
“Don’t deflect. Answer. Your future depends on it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not at war with you, Israel.”
“Don’t read me back. People never succeed at that.”
I leaned back in my chair, mocking his movements. “Fine. Yes, I suppose I’ve always been capable of lying for long periods. Albeit, I don’t ever remember doing it up until this point.”
“So, this is a new thing for you?”
“Yes.”
“When was the plan concocted for your family to come after mine?”
I snarled. “Those people aren’t my—”
He waved his hand in the air. “Spare me the theatrics and just answer.”
I drew in a deep breath. “A year ago.”
He paused. “You kept this secret for a year.”
“Yes. Because it took that kind of time to plan. However, part of me wonders how long my uncle had it percolating in his mind. Since it’s obvious he took me for his own nefarious purposes instead of taking me in because my father was his fucking brother.”
His eyes held mine. “Are you using me for this war?”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t deflect. Answer me. Are you using me to enact this revenge war of yours before you take me down, too?”
“Is anyone capable of taking you down, Israel?”
“Answering a question with a question is certain death when you’re facing off with me. Tread lightly. Are you, Bonnie Moretti, using me to—”
“No!” I closed my eyes and stilled the shaking of my body before my mind locked back into place again. Then, my eyes opened. “No, Israel. I’m not just using you for a war.”
He licked his lips. “Was any of this real?”
I paused. “What?”
“You’re doing it again. You should be dead twice over already.”
“Well, thanks for not killing me, then.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome.”
I sighed. “Yes, Israel. Some of it was real.”
“Some of it?”
“I mean, obviously not my name. But—”
He leaned forward. “Was it real, Bonnie?”
My eyes danced with his. I’d never heard that tone in his voice before. I’d never seen him so desperate for an answer. He sounded lost, almost. As if there were a voice in his head trying to convince him of something. I knew what that felt like, always having that voice chirping in the back of your mind.
So, I gazed into his eyes as I answered.
