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)
“Then, why the battle? Why not you get some punishment like jail or—”
“No. No. No. I’ve been punished enough.” He frowned. “My Jing is gone. My lovely flower. My everything. I must die—”
“But, Leo—”
“I must die. To see Jing again. And even more important. . .”
I swallowed. “What?”
“I must die for Lei’s legacy to truly begin. With my being around, Lei’s control over the East will always be divided. Many of his men will still be my men. That is not good.”
We hit the second level and hurried down the hallway.
More of Leo’s men met us there, donning dark blue robes, wooden crosses, and sharp swords that gleamed in the light.
And all I could think about was Leo’s insistence on his own death.
Jesus Christ.
The gravity of his tone. . .it struck a chord deep within me.
Was it crazy that I understood, on a cerebral level, the reasons behind his plotting and killing—his twisted logic of sacrifice for the greater good, for Lei’s legacy?
He had killed my father.
That fact was undeniable.
Yet as much as I wanted to hate him for it, the reasons behind his actions gnawed at me, making hatred a complicated, heavy burden.
In Leo’s mind, had Dad done what he was supposed to. . .he would still be alive.
That’s so fucking hard to disagree with. How many times did I sit up at night wishing my own father were dead because of his abandoning us for women, liquor, and gambling?
And maybe my father did all of these things due to deeper reasons. He might have been in too much pain from my mother’s battle with cancer and didn’t know how to cope with it in a healthy way. His childhood had been rocky and dysfunctional. His father had also never been there.
Did he have somewhat reasonable excuses for abandoning us?
If he did, Leo didn’t care.
And. . .I hadn’t cared either.
Because when push came to shove and Mom needed someone, I was there. And I didn’t know how to raise kids or even pay bills, but I fucking figured that shit out anyway.
Why couldn’t Dad have done it too?
Leo’s men stopped us by the next set of stairs and peeked around to see if others were coming.
Leo raised his eyebrows. “What is this? Isn’t Lei in the tunnel?”
One of the men spoke, “He’s not, Grand Master. Somehow they got out of there quick.”
Leo rubbed his chin. “Love will make a man put a hole through solid rock and create a path that wasn’t there.”
Worry creased around the man’s eyes. “Lei is now outside with thirty men. Also, Chen got rid of the press—”
“Damn it.” Leo sneered. “We needed the tea ceremony documented. Why must they always mess up my plans?”
I looked at him. “Why did we need the tea ceremony?”
Leo’s expression softened. “Lei made a huge mistake yesterday by introducing you to the East so. . . abruptly.”
Song shrugged those bulky shoulders. “Lei had his reasons.”
Leo frowned. “What reasons?”
Song smiled my way. “My nephew is dizzy with love.”
“It should have been a gradual process.” Leo raised one finger in the air and began dotting his words. “It's about more than just making an appearance and showing how beautiful you are; it's about weaving you into the fabric of the East, step by step. Do you understand, Monique?”
“Yes.”
“Today’s tea ceremony was meant to be a significant step.” He paused, as if gauging my reaction. “I had invited press stations and magazines that have been strong advocates for diversity.”
“Oh.”
“They would not only get a first look at you but potentially be your biggest champions here in the East, which is crucial for gaining public favor. And you will need that public favor, if you really want to be a powerful Mountain Mistress.”
Now, I get it.
The weight of the missed opportunity settled on my shoulders.
How does Leo think so many steps ahead and cause so much chaos too?
Here was a man who had orchestrated his life and the lives of others like pieces on a chessboard, and he thought I was to be some sort of new queen in his game.
The realization both terrified and awed me.
Leo watched me process this. “This press conference was to lay the groundwork for your acceptance and authority here. Now do you see, Monique? This wasn’t about tea, but legitimacy and respect.”
“I completely understand.”
“Good.” Leo grinned. “Then, you agree with my needing to kidnap you now?”
“Oh God no.” I waved my hand and inched back.
“Give me a good reason why it would be a bad idea?”
“If I’m gone. . .Lei wouldn’t train for the battle or even focus on it. He would just run around Paradise City, scattered and exhausted, searching for me the whole time.”
“Damn it. Very smart.” Leo’s grin disappeared. “You are correct. I cannot kidnap you when we are this close to everything perfectly working out. Lei must be in top shape for this battle.”