Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
When the fuck did he take that out?!
I stepped back.
He. . .really was going to kill me if I gave him the wrong answers.
And as if it were a regular afternoon visit, he turned and headed up the stairs. “Let us continue the tour. Your ladies-in-waiting must stay on this level.”
Naw, man. I’m good. I’m not going anywhere with your crazy ass.
I stayed right where I was, deciding that I no longer needed answers that bad.
Like. . .he just had the blade out to just straight murder me. . .
Leo continued up the stairs. “Come on, Monique.”
“I don’t know about that. . .”
“There is much to tell you.”
“Listen. . .I’m afraid of you.”
“Afraid of me?” Leo stopped in the center of the staircase and turned. “Why?”
“You were about to kill me just now.”
“Only if I didn’t like your answers.”
“What if you don’t like my answers upstairs?”
“I don’t have any questions for you upstairs.” He touched his chest. “I’m the one that will be giving you answers.”
I eyed him. “Look. Maybe you can just. . .send me an email breaking everything down. I like that idea better.”
He chuckled, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “An email wouldn’t do it justice. You have to see for yourself.”
“See what?”
He continued up the stairs.
I glanced behind me.
Song remained at the door with now five of those scary monks dressed in blue robes flanking him.
Next, I put my view on my ladies-in-waiting. “What do you all think?”
My lady in front gave me a sad smile. “They won’t let us out of here, unless you go upstairs.”
“Yeah.” I turned back to the stairs. “I was thinking that too.”
Another spoke, “I don’t think the Grand Mountain Master will kill you. In fact, I am sure of your safety.”
Alright then.
I let out a long breath.
Let’s get answers from the Boogeyman.
I began to climb the stairs.
The ascent felt like a journey in itself. My hand grazed against the dragon’s intricately carved scales, smooth and cool to the touch. It was as if I were stroking the back of my very own pet dragon, brought to life in stunning detail.
The East is crazy.
Once I reached the top, Leo guided us down a long hallway with blue carpet and walls adorned with more art.
He gestured to one of the paintings. “I will be taking all of my pieces and putting them in the vault too. However, show my grandkids that I not only fought and ruled, but I painted.”
“Oh. You did these paintings also?”
“I did.”
“Did you ever consider being an artist?”
“As a poor immigrant in America with a baby on the way?” He shook his head. “Never. I had duties. Like you, I understood responsibility.”
“Like me?”
“While your mother battled cancer, you instantly stepped into place as your sisters’ mother and father.”
“I wouldn’t say all of that. I did the older sister thing—”
“You cooked, cleaned, took them to school, helped with homework, and still worked at the chicken factory.”
I widened my eyes. “How long have you known who I was?”
“That question is not important.”
“I think it is.”
“Fine. Then, I will tell you the first time I ever saw you.”
I stiffened. “Alright.”
“You must have been seven years old in front of your grandmother’s house.”
“What?”
“And you were pouting. There were older girls on the sidewalk with two jumping ropes moving them at the same time. . .I don’t know what you call that game.”
“Double Dutch?”
“Perhaps, that is what it is.” He shrugged. “Banks was little also and laughing at you which caused your grandmother to tell him to stop, before she approached me.”
I stopped walking. “Why did my grandmother go to you?”
He paused and looked at me. “I handled her monthly allowance for the Killer Crows’ leader. It was a. . .secret favor I did for the Jones Family.”
“So. . .we are really related to Chanel and them?”
“You are.” He nodded.
“And that’s why you decided to have me be with Lei?”
“What? No. You think I knew that you were going to be the Mountain Mistress when you were seven?” Leo chuckled and started walking. “Monique, I do not know what they told you, but I am not that much of a mastermind.”
“O-kay. So then when did you see me and decide that I would be Mountain Mistress?”
“You should not ask that question either.”
“Why not?”
“Because you have everything all wrong.” Leo paused at the entrance to a small library. “What do you think?”
I checked it out. “Awesome.”
Oh shit. T.T. will live in here.
The shelves brimmed with books and comfortable chairs, allowing any happy book worm to get lost in books for days.
Leo headed off. “I’ll be sure to empty many of these shelves to allow you to create your own collection.”
“Thanks, but don’t empty it too much. My youngest sister is a bit of a historian, especially when it is about the West.”
“Why the West?”