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)
I thought Dima would protest.
Instead, he wore this sad expression, took out his notebook and jotted down several notes.
Chapter twenty-three
Jo’s Gift
Moni
Rose and I walked back as my sisters trailed behind.
Rose smiled. “Thanks for agreeing to lunch. I can have Dima send a helicopter to bring you.”
“That would be nice.”
“And lunch is on me.”
“Thanks so much.” I kept her pace. “And then, how about the next lunch is on me and we can have it somewhere in the East, once I find the best spots.”
“Sounds good to me. The helicopter ride over here was quite an adventure. This area looks so exciting.”
“Definitely never a boring moment.”
“I can imagine.”
There was something genuine about Rose that made me want to get to know her better. Perhaps Dima’s awkward, but endearing, hopes for our future friendship weren’t too far off.
He’s so freaking funny.
I chuckled to myself at the thought of us planning our lives around his wild ideas, but it wasn’t entirely unappealing.
There was a warmth in Rose’s laugh, a kindness that I wanted to understand more. Lunch with her might be just the beginning of a new friendship in this crazy world I had stepped into.
Lei watched us head his way and I swore his expression appeared a bit worried, but I didn’t know why. Then, his view went to Rose and his gaze darkened like he wasn’t fond of her.
I made a note to ask about that later.
When we got to them, Rose returned to Dima who now had the little white cat in his arms. There was something about the way he gently cradled the tiny creature as she purred that made me smile.
In Leo’s historical texts, he’d painted Dima as a lethal gangster that was highly intelligent.
But I was finding that Dima had a very gentle side to him too.
And just like that, Dima caught my eye and gave me a wink as he absently stroked the cat’s fur.
I smiled back, feeling a strange sense of ease settle over me. Whatever doubts I had about stepping into this new role as Mountain Mistress, they seemed to melt away in moments like this. More and more, I was finding myself surrounded by people who would have my back, even if it were in their own unique ways.
Lei stepped forward.
Everyone put their gaze on him.
“There is a tradition in the East.” Lei gestured to my sisters. “When new members join our family, we offer them gifts. It’s a way of welcoming them, of showing that they are valued, that they belong.”
He paused, letting his words sink in.
I could see the emotion in his eyes, the sincerity that made him the man I loved.
Don’t worry. They will like you if I have to force it.
“This tradition started long ago,” he continued, “as a way to bond new members to the family, to make them feel at home in a place that might be strange and unfamiliar. It’s a gesture of unity. Of trust.”
A swell of pride hit my chest.
I checked my sisters.
He definitely had their attention.
Even Jo watched him with interest.
“Therefore,” Lei’s gaze swept over them. “I humbly ask you to receive these gifts as symbols of our new bond and of the family we are creating together.”
I could feel my sisters’ excitement mingling with my own.
Jo tried to keep a straight face, but I knew she liked the attention.
How long had we sat in Glory feeling alone and disconnected?
Thinking no one loved us, not even God.
Granted, part of that was my fault. After Mom passed perhaps, I was too depressed to seek the proper help from my family. Additionally, I just thought. . .I should do it all myself.
Now I’d learned that was the wrong way of handling it all.
I smiled at Jo.
That’s right. We’ve got more family and more help. . .you’ll have to get used to it like me.
Lei turned to Jo.
But to my disappointment, her stance turned defensive as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest like she was trying to shield herself from whatever was coming.
There you go with that bullshit again.
I knew that look all too well. Jo was stubborn, fiercely independent, and proud to a fault. . .just like me. She didn’t take handouts from anyone, especially not from people she didn’t know well.
Lei nodded at her. “And now for your gift, Jo.”
Jo narrowed her eyes and tilted her chin up defiantly. “I don’t take gifts from strangers.”
Lei smiled, completely unfazed by her attitude. “You’ll take this one.”
Jo blinked.
Lei gestured toward the massive container and one of his men stepped inside.
Well. . .at least we’ll see what he got her.
The air ran thick with anticipation.
I could even feel the tension radiating off of Jo.
We all heard it—the unmistakable sound of an engine purring to life.
Oh shit.
Chloe’s face lit up with a grin. “This is going to be good.”