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)
“He will not get his wish.”
“No?”
“I am simply going to kill him.”
“How?”
“Anyway I can.”
“And do you need my help?”
“I do.”
“What can I do, Lei?”
“Stay alive.” I shut off the phone and headed away.
Once I entered the suite, only emptiness hit me. I gazed down at the handcuffs that still lay on the ground.
No.
My nerves flared.
Where is Monique?
Fisting my hands at my sides, I battled with not yelling for her. From the bathroom, I caught the distinct twisting sound of a faucet handle.
Oh.
Raising my eyebrows, I went to the handcuffs on the floor, picked them up, and walked toward the bathroom.
Next, a burst of water hitting the shower base roared similar to the sound of a sudden downpour on a tin roof.
She’s cleaning up?
When I got to the bathroom door, I stopped.
Is she alright? Does she need anything?
I knew I should wait for her to leave the shower on her own, but. . .I had to check and make sure she was okay. It would be the only thing to calm my terror.
After Romeo and Chanel, everything felt off-kilter.
I didn’t want anyone else to die.
I turned the knob.
The door squeaked open.
Instantly, I spotted the blood-stained cookie monster top on the ground. Her jeans lay under it.
Of course. She wouldn’t want to wear her father’s blood on her anymore.
The echo of droplets intensified into a steady drumming.
I should leave.
Yet, I remained in the doorway and inch by inch rose my view to the shower.
A foggy mist spread across the shower’s glass, blurring out a clear image of Monique.
However. . .I could still make out the curvy outline of her figure, and it was an alluring silhouette within the steam.
Guilt tugged at my heart as I invaded her privacy.
Other parts of my body urged me to take off my clothes, get into the shower with Monique, and truly explore the bare curves of her body.
What are you doing? Leave.
Still, I couldn’t drag myself away.
What was back in the suite, but my trying not to sit in sorrow over Chanel? Or even worse, I would be sitting there wondering how I would catch and kill my father.
Neither option could pull me away.
Swallowing, I studied Monique’s steamy form a little longer. I could make out the curves of her breasts, the sleek line of her hips, and the way the sudsy water flowed down her body.
A grunt escaped me.
That’s enough. Go.
Dragging myself away, I quietly closed the door, backed up, and stared at it.
Why did I do that?
Sighing, I shook my head as if I could erase that moment out of the day.
Was it that Monique was having a deeper effect on me than I thought she could?
Or was I being erratic due to mourning Chanel?
Even more. . .by keeping Monique around. . .how much was I playing into my father’s plans?
Had I been a smarter man, I would have sent her off.
Unfortunately, she was the only person who had given me solace since I lost Romeo and Chanel.
Fuck my father. I am not keeping Monique due to him. I am keeping her because. . .I must.
I needed peace.
She provided it.
Meanwhile, I would protect her from my father and give her some sense of comfort too as she grieved.
That was that.
Someone knocked at the suite’s door.
What now?
Groaning, I headed that way and opened the door.
One of my men pushed a cart into the room.
A high-end porcelain teapot sat on the cart. Golden motifs had been painted on it. Each cup of the matching tea set was perfectly lined in a row, sitting on their respective saucers, mirroring the teapot’s exquisite design.
It was an audacious display of luxury.
This looks like something Aunt Min would buy.
I followed my man deeper into the suite and suspiciously eyed the items. “Where did you get this tea from?”
“The hotel, Mountain Master.” He placed the cart near the suite’s dining area. “Should I get something else?”
My aunts were tricky women.
I studied the gourmet snacks on plates etched in 24-karat gold patterns. “Are you sure this is from the hotel?”
“Yes.” The man gave a deep bow and did not raise the upper part of his body. Instead, he kept his head as low as possible.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you, Mountain Master.” The man rose and hurried away.
I’m just on edge, suspecting everything and second guessing myself.
I picked up the teapot and began to pour myself a cup of tea.
Chapter sixteen
Through the Fogged Glass
Monique
With Leo calling me on my father’s phone, it just. . .threw me in this state of shock.
My world spun, falling apart around me.
I could barely stand.
And it felt horrible to be away from Lei, but I would not bother him as he dealt with his father on the balcony.
So I stayed in the suite and fought with keeping my shit together.
I sat.
Then, I stood.
I paced.
Next, I sat again.
Immediately, I got back up and paced.