Lately, I'd been thinking... about my ambitions, the business, the trade name, and all that stuff. But above all, the most important thing was my partnership with Banji. If our store was going to stay stocked—fruits, drinks, wine—I figured the best move was to grant Banji access to my realm.
She was trustworthy, sure... but trusting people, especially women, wasn't something I did easily. Not unless I'd tamed them. That way, I'd know they wouldn't do anything disloyal.
It would be a shame if I kept supplying Banji with goods while she sold them and pocketed most of the money for herself. That's why... I decided to check on Kelly.
I bathed quickly that morning, and before school, I made a stop at my old house.
I was careful not to let Anna or her mother notice me—they were just neighbors after all. I knocked on the door, and was immediately greeted by the sound of a baby crying. Clearly Kelly's.
I knocked again, and that familiar, sweet, mature voice called out from inside:
