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)
No. No. No.
The confession sent a terrifying shock through me, freezing the air between us.
It was hard to fucking breathe, but somehow, I managed to do so.
Yet, my eyes widened and I saw the shame flicker across his face and the guilt begin to weigh heavy on his shoulders.
“Lei…” I didn’t know what else to say.
The thought of him even considering letting Dima and Rose die to keep me safe—it rattled me.
It wasn’t who Lei was, but it was a testament to how far he would go for me.
His love wasn’t just fierce.
It was terrifying in its depth.
"No.” I shook my head. “Hell to the no. T-that’s not even an option or. . .just no.”
Lei looked away in shame. “I know. I shouldn’t have said it.”
“No one else dies over me.”
“I know I’m wrong. . .but. . .I’m willing to. . .kill anybody, Moni,” Lei choked out. “Just to keep you safe.”
I could see the torment eating away at him, the internal battle raging inside. He loved me so much that he had been willing to cross a line, to betray everything he stood for, just to keep me at his side.
Fuck.
And I couldn’t let him carry that weight.
I shook my head. “Alright. We are both going to forget that you said that.”
His bottom lip quivered.
“That was one second of a thought, Lei. So. . .you’re not going to feel any guilt. You didn’t let Dima die. That’s what matters. So forget about it.”
Lei blinked and one tear slipped from the corner of his eye, trailing down his cheek. “I love Dima.”
“You do.”
“I. . .don’t want him to die.”
“I know you don’t.”
“I just don’t want to regret letting you leave with my father either.”
“You won’t regret it.”
“I hope not.”
My heart clenched painfully at the sight.
Lei—the man who never broke—was cracking open before me.
“I can’t lose you, Moni,” he whispered. “You’ve become my whole world. I’m. . .nothing without you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You’re not going to lose me. We’re in this together, always.”
"When you’re away from me. . .and with him. . .listen to whatever fucked up shit he says.”
“I will.”
“He wants you to finish his fucking teachings. His twisted trainings.”
“Okay.”
“I’m sure that. . .he has a plan for you and wants to make sure you know every step. Listen to his fucking insane ass and just don’t argue with him.”
“Okay.”
“It’s close to his death so he won’t be patient with his lessons. Do whatever he wants and—”
“You think he will want me to actually do something?”
“Yes. Something that I wouldn’t allow if I were around.”
Shit. What the fuck could it be?
He exhaled shakily. “Just do it. Whatever the fuck he wants. If you waver, he might think you don’t fit in the plan and. . .”
“He might kill me.”
“Maybe.”
I thought about the bodies on the ceiling above us and even Yan’s chopped head in that gift box. Lei was right. I should not play around with Leo at all.
Lei spoke, “I’ll take care of your sisters tonight.”
“Oh fuck. It’s their first night here. No.” I looked up at those gory bodies above us and then shook my head. “They can’t stay here with all that up there—”
“They won’t. I’ll take them to the Palace.”
I blinked. “Okay but they should have family with them for their first night. Have Banks stay too please.”
The line of his jaw twitched, but he nodded. “Alright. I’ll make Banks and whoever else he wants to remain. . .stay in the Palace with your sisters.”
“Oh thank God.” My bottom lip quivered. “If my sisters have familiar faces around them, they will be fine. Plus Jo and Chloe are cool with your aunts now. So maybe have Aunt Suzi and Aunt Min around.”
“Once my aunts hear about this, they’ll be glued to your sisters.”
“Good.”
“They’ll be fine. I don’t want you to worry about your sisters. When you are with my father, you need to focus on him and what he is saying.”
“I will.” I trembled. “Lei. . .”
“Yes?”
“Tell my sisters why I left. They were already upset about my being gone for so long and not knowing all the information. Just tell them everything this time.”
“I will.”
“But don’t have them stressed about it either.”
“Okay.” Another tear left Lei’s eyes.
“And. . .you have to get your sleep tonight and then train early in the morning.”
“I won’t be able to sleep without you—”
“Then have the doctor give you something because you need your rest. Tomorrow isn’t play-play time. You need to be ready.” I pulled him closer, wrapping my arms around his neck and for a moment, we just stood there, holding on to each other like the world could shatter around us and we wouldn’t let go.
His breath was warm against my skin and his heart thundered against my chest.
I whispered, running my fingers through his long hair and trying to soothe the storm inside him. “We’re going to get through this. You and me.”