Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Goddamn it. He has a point.
The air in the room grew heavier as Leo’s words sank in.
He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. Dream Lake was more than just water—it was history, secrets, wealth buried under years of forgotten legacies.
If Kashmere and the West got their hands on that land, it could shift the balance of power in the West. . .and Leo was counting on it.
I spoke, “But many in Paradise City wouldn’t want the lake drained. Top people whose families probably rose to power due to what was done to Crownsville.”
“Very true, Monique. However, that’s the point of putting Dima in this political position. It’s our city when it comes to crime, but now let it be our city in all ways legal too.”
Lei sighed. “So. . .this isn’t just about treasure.”
“Exactly.” Leo’s smile widened. “Yet, the treasure is the key, son, to open the door to everything else. And once it’s uncovered, it will be the catalyst for everything else. The power, the land, the wealth. . .it’s all there, waiting to be taken by the Diamond Syndicate.”
I considered the other part too. “And. . .any secrets about Crownsville’s Week of Blood will probably be revealed too.”
That was when TT smiled. “And the ghosts may leave and rest in peace because of that.”
“Maybe.” Leo chuckled. “Just maybe. I’ve been around Dream Lake at night. When I first came here, I had nowhere to sleep so I camped out on a bench right by the lake.”
TT widened her eyes. “And did you see ghosts?”
“No. I just felt them. They whispered to me, but I could barely understand them. My English wasn’t as good then and they were speaking so fast.”
I parted my lips.
“But those ghosts never bothered me. Later Kenneth Jones found me on the bench and he was shocked that I was still alive.”
TT turned to him. “Why?”
“At night, the ghosts haunt anyone that isn’t Killer Crows or from the Jones bloodline. And it’s not a nice haunting. They toy with people and drive them to their deaths.”
I stared at the map.
Leo sighed. “Kenneth told me to come to his mansion and sleep inside, but he also said that. . .”
I put my view back on Leo.
“He said that the ghosts probably had a plan for me or my family. That was why they didn’t mess with me.” Leo shook his head. “I never paid much attention to that because I never was around that lake again at night. I didn’t even think about it when Chanel had brought Lei a dagger to his initiation ceremony saying the ghosts wanted him to have it.”
What?
I tensed.
“It was only much much later when Lei started being at the Jones property at night and getting more daggers and. . .never being haunted by the ghosts that I realized. . .maybe just maybe the ghosts left me alone long ago due to Lei.” Then, Leo raised his hand and tapped the side of his head. “And why would they want to protect Lei? Why give him the pieces to a puzzle that would eventually be a treasure map? My son didn’t care about the daggers or any treasure, so why should Lei get them? Was it because they knew the daggers would be safe with him? Or. . .”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Or?”
Leo pointed his finger at TT. “Or did they know that one day those daggers would get to this bright little girl who’s innocent heart is passionate about finding the Bandit’s treasure and revealing all the things done to them? A little girl with Jones blood running through her veins.”
My stomach twisted.
“Of course, these are all guesses but. . .things are going to get more and more interesting once that lake is drained.” Leo let out a long breath. “I think you should have TT go to Dream Lake at night and see if the Bandit comes out to speak to her.”
TT opened her mouth in shock and looked to almost pass out. “Oh my God! Could I, Moni?”
I swallowed. “Let’s just first. . .get through this week, before we start heading to a haunted lake.”
“Aww.” Leo slowly rose. “You are quite correct. I did go on a detour. It is time for us to depart.”
Lei tried to take a step forward.
I got in his way. “Dima. Rose. TT.”
Lei sighed.
Song headed my way. “Do not worry, Lei. It will just be one night away from her, nephew.”
"I don't care if it's just an hour away from her," Lei shot back and then grabbed my arm. "I don't like this. Not one bit. Not after everything that's happened."
I had to admit, I shared his sentiment, but I knew that Leo would easily kill Dima and Rose without any regret. “Leo, let me say goodbye to Lei and then TT, please.”