Family Bonds- Ava and Seth (Amore Island Book 5) by Natalie Ann (ebook reader screen .TXT) 📗

but when I thought penthouse I figured it’d be more like Hunter’s.”

“Nah. Hunter is more subdued.”

“That’s the understatement of the year compared to this,” she said. Hunter and Kayla’s penthouse suite above The Bond Retreat was almost calming. She’dbeen there once last month when she went to visit Kayla and baby Ben, that Ava had delivered, to bring a gift.

But Eli’s penthouse was something that spoke of classy wealth. The white and gray marble floors carried into the kitchen. She was pretty positive the black counters with swirls of white were also marble. She was sensing a theme. But it wasn’t dark with the white cabinets either.

“I like the finer things,” Eli said, grabbing a coffee mug and pouring her a cup. “So you’ve got yourself some trouble.”

“I’m not so sure it’s trouble as much as a nuisance. Hailey is on top of it. It’s only forty grand and though that is a lot of money and not something I want to pay out, I would if it would put a stop to this and clear up the debt.”

“But it won’t clear up your credit,” Eli said. “And though you could pay cash for a house, why would you, correct?”

“Yeah. I’m not into emptying my trust fund even though it’s mine to do that with. It doesn’t seem necessary at this point. But the credit issue is hurting me from getting a loan.”

“It will get straightened out I’m sure. Griffin is on his way over. He’s running a little late this morning himself.”

“He lives here?” she asked.

Eli smirked at her. “Of course he does. What good is security if my best man isn’t close by?”

She wanted to ask why he needed it but figured it might be more for show than anything. She’d never heard anything in the family about a risk or threat, but she’d never asked either.

“You said over and not up or down,” she pointed out.

“You catch on. My penthouse is the only one on this floor, but there is a small apartment next to it. He has his own elevator to move around the building and entrance to get here.”

“Ohhh, secret passages and all.”

“Wiseass,” Eli said. But when she heard footsteps she turned and saw Griffin standing there in jeans and T-shirt like Eli. Neither of them were dressed as fancy as they normally were on the floor of the casino. The guy was built but not like a bodybuilder. She had a feeling he might not have much fat on him and didn’t need the bulk to take someone down.

Eli was just over six foot, but Griffin had an inch or so over him.

“Hi,” she said to the guy that still screamed military with his short-cropped cut and clean-shaven face.

“Griffin Zale, I don’t believe you’ve officially met one of my many cousins. This is Dr. Ava Mills.”

“Nice to meet you,” Griffin said, coming forward and shaking hands, then turning and making himself right at home getting coffee and popping a bagel into the toaster.

“Can I get you something to eat?” Eli said. “Griffin, put another in for me.”

“He’s your maid too?” she asked.

Griffin laughed and turned. “I like her. She has spunk.” It was the first time she’d seen the guy smile when he was normally so stoic.

Eli snorted. “A lot of the women in my family have it. No, Griffin isn’t my maid and if you weren’t here he might have told me to do it myself but in much more colorful terms. I like to yank his chain knowing he won’t do it with company.”

These two seemed to have an interesting relationship, but it wasn’t why she was here. “So, do I need to fill you two in on what is going on?”

“We know the gist of it,” Eli said. “I’m just listening, so talk to Griffin as he is doing all the work on it.”

“Thank you again,” she said to Eli and then turned to Griffin. “And to you too for doing this. I’m sure Eli works you harder than he needs to. He’s pretty high maintenance and we all know it.”

Griffin cracked a grin. “I work for not only Eli but the family as well.”

She hadn’t known that. “You do?”

“Not like you think,” Eli said. “Griffin works for the casino, but, as you know, my father has a stake in the casino and then in multiple other businesses. You know how things are done here.”

She did. The Bond family took care of their own. “Well, what I know is that someone stole my identity about six months ago. When I went to get a loan, my credit was dinged and thankfully the bank president called me directly before anyone else could see it and Seth managed to keep it quiet.”

“Seth Young?” Eli asked.

“Yes. He said he works with a lot of the family on the island and that is why he took care of this situation.”

“Good guy,” Eli said. “Very private and secure. You can trust it won’t go any further in the bank.”

“So he said. He’s been very helpful and was extremely understanding of my plight. Hailey and he have been working on getting the cards taken out in my name stopped and filing papers of fraud to get the debt wiped. My social security number has been locked not allowing anyone to do anything with that right now either.”

“So you feel like your life is frozen?” Griffin asked.

“Pretty much. I shouldn’t feel that way. I’ve got money. My legitimate bills are being paid and on time like always. I’m trying to continue on as if nothing is going on because I can’t fast track this the way I’d like.”

“These things take time,” Eli said. “But if anyone can figure out who the person is, it’s Griffin.”

She pulled out an envelope from her purse. “Here are the transactions on two of the cards. Hailey is still waiting to get the information on the other three. Seth locked down all my bank accounts so no one can touch them for payment