Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“The cuffs stay on.” Lei took the keys and put them in his pocket. “Is my suite ready?”
“It is.” Chen scowled and then gestured to me. “Just in case you changed your mind, I booked a very nice bedroom for Monique on the floor below us that will—”
“I didn’t change my mind. She stays in my suite with me and must always remain at my side.”
Chen tilted his head. “Always?”
The line in Lei’s jaw twitched. “Always.”
I widened my eyes. “Well. . .not always.”
Neither turned my way.
Chen gazed at him. “And how long will Monique always remain by your side?”
“Until I kill my father.”
“Why until then?”
“Monique intrigues him. That means she will not be safe by herself as long as he is alive.”
What?
Horror gripped me.
Chen nodded. “That thinking is at least logical.”
“I am glad I can impress you today.” Lei frowned. “It brings me joy.”
Chen touched the button of his suit jacket as if checking that it was still secure. “So then that means that we are definitely saying yes to kidnapping?”
“If that’s what you think it is.”
“I believe the authorities as well as Monique’s family members may agree.”
“Then, I will talk to whoever has a problem with it.”
I pursed my lips.
“So she will be in your suite?”
“Yes.”
Chen cleared his throat. “Because you plan to keep her handcuffed to you this evening too?”
“That is the plan.”
“Is there any wiggle room to compromise with me on the handcuffs or—”
“There will be no compromise.”
Stepping back, Chen blew out a long breath. “Then, I will not bring this up again.”
“I doubt you will keep that promise.” Lei slowly guided us out of the car.
Lei and I will have to talk about these handcuffs later. I am not keeping them on the whole time.
All of his men—dressed in blue—had already left their vans and other vehicles.
“Okay, Lei.” Chen headed off. “Then, let us discuss the activities for the rest of the day.”
What else will happen today?
Chapter thirteen
The Ghost on the Eighth Floor
Monique
Handcuffed together, Lei and I walked toward the Royal Palm—this towering structure of grandeur and opulence.
What a strange fucking horribly insane day.
And what made everything even crazier was that I had been stressed and anxious the whole day, but now that I was unexpectedly bound together with Lei—our hands entwined by a band of cold, uncompromising steel—I felt more relaxed than ever before in my life.
I had no bills to pay, no sisters to feed, no chicken bones to break, no strip club customer’s groping, no gangsters trying to push me into prostitution.
All I had to do was stay by Lei’s side.
Step by step, calm washed over me.
Lei’s men followed behind us.
Chen began walking on Lei’s side. “You have not slept or ate. Can I get some compromise with that?”
“I want to be alone. Perhaps when I am alone, I will sleep.”
“And your new definition of alone is with Monique handcuffed by your side?”
Lei’s expression remained neutral. “Tomorrow. Early, when the sun rises, we return to looking for my father.”
“I think that is a perfect plan.” Chen nodded. “There’s no need to waste the night. Leo will safely hide in the evening and only come out during the day. Searching for him all night will only tire us out even more.”
“I agree.” Lei looked at Chen. “Therefore, you have all night to find some leads on where he could be.”
“I will do my best.”
Chen and Lei continued to go back and forth.
Duck got to my side and walked next to me. Sunlight shone on his silver and black hair tied up in that perfect knot on his head. He leaned my way. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes.” I kept my pace with Lei.
“Understand this.” Determination filled Duck’s eyes. “Whatever you need, I will provide.”
“You will?”
He gave me a small nod. “Yes. I failed you.”
My heart ached. “You didn’t fail me. It was a dark moment. In fact, you saved me from falling to my death.”
We entered the lobby.
As always, walking into the Royal Palm was like stepping into another era. The grand entrance held the scent of old wood and expensive perfume. Shimmering chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling. The echoes of soft, classical music filled the lavishly adorned lobby, resonating from unseen speakers.
Our footsteps whispered across the polished marble floor.
Servers tried to offer us complimentary champagne.
Chen waved them away.
“I should have never let you run.” Duck frowned. “I promise to make that up.”
“You do not need to make that up.” I kept my voice low. “In fact, Duck, the only thing you need to do is explain to me if your penis is corkscrewed or not.”
Lei stopped us from walking.
Duck and I looked his way.
Lei scowled at Duck. “What?”
Oh. He was listening?
Neither of us said anything.
Lei narrowed his eyes at Duck. “Why would Monique think you have a corkscrewed penis? When the fuck did this conversation happen?”