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)
Thankfully, neither Duck nor Chen showed any emotion on their faces. They simply remained right there, ready to help me in any way.
These volatile sensations churned beneath my composed exterior. All I could do was keep them away from the surface.
My father put his view back on me. “Go ahead, Lei. Tell me. How can I trust you?”
"Because, Father, unlike you, I recognize that the cycle of vengeance will bring nothing but ruin to the East.”
“Aww.” A cruel chuckle left him. “You finally recognize that? I doubt it.”
“Let her go.”
“I will take her with me.”
Fuck no! Okay. . .Stay calm.
I leaned my head to the side. “What do you mean take her with you?”
“She will remain with me for a few days, and I will have her at the feast—”
“You take her out that gate and I will fucking hunt you down!”
To my surprise, Moni spoke.
“Hold on.” She widened her eyes. “Leo. . .Lei is right. . .there is no need for me to go with you tonight.”
I sneered at him.
Meanwhile, my father frowned at her. “But, I explained why we need this time together.”
Fury surged in my veins.
“Yes, you did,” Moni swallowed. “But I will set something up tomorrow.”
What the hell are they talking about?
My father raised an eyebrow at Moni. “Oh?”
“Yes.” Her voice trembled. “I’ll arrange a meeting. A neutral place. You can explain everything to me then.”
I will never let that happen, but tell him whatever you need to let you go.
My father put his view on me. “What are your thoughts, son?”
I spoke through clenched teeth. “Whatever Moni wants, will be.”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”
“Let her go and—”
“I will not let her go.”
Moni cleared her throat. “Okay. Hold on, guys. This is what we can do.”
We both placed our attention on her.
Moni straightened her posture, even though her neck was so close to my father’s blade. "Leo, you want assurance and a show of good faith that you are safe to leave. Lei, you want my safety guaranteed.”
“Damn right I do.”
“So, this is my idea.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“I will go with Leo to the gate that we flew over. The one with all those pretty dragons clawing at the sky.”
I was about to speak, but she continued talking.
“Once we reach there, I'll get out of the car, and then, Leo. . .Lei’s men will be there to ensure I'm safe.”
My father frowned, but kept quiet.
She let out a long breath. “Then, Leo, you can leave, assured of your safe passage. This way, you get what you need, and Lei can see that I'm safe."
This will be too fucking dangerous. You don’t know my father. He could change his mind and just take you.
My jaw clenched at the thought of her in the car with him, even for the short drive to the gate.
But the stern look in her eyes told me this was her battle too, and she was choosing her moves carefully.
What the fuck? You can’t trust him.
Even more, to my utter shock, my father studied Moni for a long moment, and. . .I swore pride flashed in his eyes. "That is quite acceptable for me, especially if we can meet tomorrow.”
She nodded. “We will meet.”
No you won’t.
My father looked at me. “Your men must not interfere today or tomorrow."
I would agree to anything to get him far away from her. "Agreed, Father. They will stay back until Moni is safely out of the car, and your meeting tomorrow will be safe."
Leo’s eyes shifted back to Moni. "Very well, Monique. We will do this your way."
He let the blade fall from Moni's throat and took a step back.
My heartbeat calmed a little.
Yet, my father’s calculating gaze still watched me. “Tomorrow, you will not interrupt again?”
“I will not.”
His gaze turned dark. “And if you try something. . .innocent people in the East will die. . .”
“Just go, Father.”
Moni stood there still, trembling slightly now that the blade was no longer against her throat and my father had stepped away from her.
I wanted to reach out and wipe away the fear etched in her eyes, the fear she tried so hard to hide but I saw anyway.
I’m sorry, Moni. Sorry that this happened.
My heart ached with the love I felt for Moni. It was visceral, a gut-wrenching desire that originated from somewhere deep within me and threatened to tear me apart.
My bottom lip quivered. “I won’t let him take you out of that gate.”
“I know.”
“I’m. . .” I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t keep you safe.”
“I’m fine. Just. . .trust me, Lei. It will all be okay.” She held my gaze for a moment longer before walking off with my father.
The tight coil of tension in my stomach loosened slightly, but not completely.
I turned to Chen and Duck. "Prepare the men. Ensure they understand they are not to engage. Let them get in the car. I don’t want my father getting nervous and putting that blade back on her neck. I can’t see that again.”