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)
Her defiance was a challenge—a challenge not of the physical kind, but one rooted deep in the complexities of human emotion and familial loyalty.
In the heat of that moment, when Jo had pointed at my chest, her eyes blazed with protectiveness for her sister. Therefore, here I was again for the second time today, reminding myself of Sun Tzu’s teachings.
Know your enemy and know yourself and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
Jo was not my enemy, but her hostility toward me was a barrier, an obstacle that I needed to navigate with care and precision.
This was not a battle of weapons but of wills.
Of hearts.
I had to understand her position, her fears, and her motivations if I were to have any hope of overcoming this challenge.
All warfare is based on deception.
Deception here did not mean lies, but the ability to present oneself in a way that disarmed suspicion and hostility.
Jo expected me to be a domineering force, to use my position and power to control her. I could see it in Jo’s eyes, the way she braced herself for a fight, expecting me to impose my will upon her.
But I would not give her what she expected.
Instead, I had to approach this with humility, with understanding. I had to show her that I was not here to take Moni away from her family, but to become part of it.
This was a battle of perceptions and I needed to change hers.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Subduing Jo’s hostility without engaging in a direct confrontation required patience, restraint, and. . .most importantly, respect.
I could not allow my own pride or position as the Mountain Master to dictate my actions. This was not about proving my strength or authority; it was about building trust and creating a bond that would withstand the trials ahead.
Wait a minute.
This odd, twisted sensation surged through me.
I’m fucking thinking like my father. Jesus Christ.
I tensed.
Is that bad or good?
They watched me.
I cleared my throat. “Like I said, you are correct.”
Jo sucked her teeth.
I met Jo’s gaze once more, this time with a small nod. “I saw your sister, Moni. And. . .immediately I wanted her all to myself whether I understood those feelings or not.”
She pursed her lips.
I continued, “And even more. . .I took Moni away. . .without a thought about anyone else in this world. I kept her close to me and I wasn’t willing to share her with anyone.”
Jo frowned, while a silly smile spread across Chloe’s face.
However, TT was more observant. After I said that, she took in Moni’s reaction for a few seconds then looked back at me.
Be careful. . .assertive but be truthful. They’re too smart for anything else.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “And I won’t apologize for doing all of that.”
Jo widened her eyes.
Moni cleared her throat as if trying to signal me.
I shrugged. “If I did, it wouldn’t be a real apology because I don’t regret what I did and I’ve got a feeling that you, Jo, would be able to see through any bullshit I tried to shovel your way.”
For a moment, Jo’s expression faltered, just a flicker of something other than disdain in her eyes.
She hasn’t cursed me out yet, so I’m not doing too bad.
I clung to that flicker, hoping it was a sign that I was getting through to her.
“However. . .” I cleared my throat again. “I promise from now on, to make right in all the places where I did wrong. I will do everything in my power to make sure you and your sisters feel at home here because this is your home. This place, my family—it’s yours now, just as much as it is mine.”
Jo leaned her head to the side. “Just like that?”
I raised my eyebrows. “What?”
“We’re just all living in the East and now a big happy family, after you not even knowing my sister for a full month?”
“Family is everything. It is the foundation upon which our lives are built, the bond that holds us together even in the darkest of times.”
Jo rolled her eyes.
I shrugged again. “I have seen what happened when that bond is broken—how it can tear people apart, leaving nothing but bitterness and regret in its wake—”
“We’ve seen that shit too—”
“Well. . .I will not let that happen here. I will not let me or anything else come between Moni and you three—”
“Nothing is coming between my sisters and me.”
“Good.” I leaned forward. “But understand this too. . .I won’t let anything come between her and me either.”
Jo tilted forward as if to challenge me. “We’ll see about that.”
I curved my lips into a smile. “We sure will.”
“Alright. We’re done.” Moni sighed. “You’ve met Jo, and this is my sister Chloe—”
“Oh, I’m not done.” Jo shook her head. “I have some questions—”