Page 109 of Don’t Say Mafia

Lawson: Interesting.

Maddox: What does that mean?

Lawson: Nothing. Just running a quick diagnostic.

Gage: On what?

Lawson: Maddox, thanks for your very generous contribution.

Maddox: What?

A minute passed, and I was grinning like an idiot as I went back and forth between watching Eden and waiting to hear what Lawson just did.

Maddox: WHY IS THERE A MILLION DOLLARS MISSING FROM MY ACCOUNT?

I started laughing so hard I had to cover my mouth so Eden wouldn’t hear me.

Cruz:

Nice of Cruz to pop back in for this. He was probably at Lawson’s right now, plotting revenge with him.

But also, this was why I didn’t mess with Lawson.

Gage: What just happened?

Maddox: LAWSON.

Lawson: Relax. It’s in escrow. Technically.

Maddox: YOU PUT MY MONEY IN ESCROW?

Lawson: I’m just showing you how good I can contribute. I’m contributing.

Maddox: I SWEAR TO FUCKING⁠—

Gage: Why did I just get a secure notification from Bureau IT saying my credentials attempted to log in from Belarus?

Gage: LAWSON!

Lawson: Oh calm down. It’s a spoofed ping. Your clearance is fine. I just rerouted your IP through six countries to make a point.

Gage: YOU CANNOT “MAKE A POINT” WITH MY FEDERAL CLEARANCE.

Cruz: I love this chat.

Maddox: PUT MY MONEY BACK.

Lawson: Apologize for the thermostat comment.

Gage: I APOLOGIZE.

Me: Eden’s settling in fine just in case any of you were wondering.

Maddox: I just lost a million dollars, Thatcher. Literally no one is fucking wondering.

Me: What a whiner. Things must be bad when you aren’t stalking me.

Cruz: Don’t worry. I’m still stalking you, Jagger.