Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Hold on. Leo is giving you a house?”
“He delivered the deed.”
“Where is this house?”
“In the East—”
“You think Marcelo and I will let you all live in the East with no protection—”
“I won’t need protection. The Four Aces might be dangerous, but they’ve shown me kindness.”
Banks sighed heavily. “Monique, you can’t trust them. They might have their reasons to keep you alive for now but that doesn’t mean they won’t turn on you later. The East only cares about the East.”
I frowned. “I’m safe with them.”
“You have no idea what you are talking about—”
“I’m not stupid or naive. And I won’t turn my back on them now. . .They are my friends.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t even know who they were—”
“Things have been moving fast, but I’m caught up—”
“You will never be caught up—”
“Banks, just please. . .” I let out a long breath. “Just understand please. I know watching the girls has probably been hard—”
“The girls are fine. Like me, they have been worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
I pursed my lips together.
“Where is Unc’s body?”
“With Chanel’s body.”
A dark chuckle left Banks. “So, Lei did take her body?”
“He did, but we talked and he will be giving Chanel’s body back to her family tomorrow.”
“And why would he do that?”
“Because we talked about how it isn’t healthy for him and—”
“You and he talked about this?”
“Yes.”
“Just you and him?”
I frowned. “Yes.”
“What’s up with you and Lei?”
I hesitated. “It’s. . .complicated.”
“That much I gathered.”
I took a deep breath. “Look, Banks, things moved fast. I never planned on any of this.”
“So, you’re just helping Lei deal with his father?”
“Yes. I’ll be done in less than seven days.”
“How do you know that?”
“There’s a whole scheduled battle-to-the-death between Lei and his father.”
“That sounds like the East.”
I slipped out of bed and grabbed a new blue robe hanging on a rack. “Are you okay with watching the girls until—”
“Moni, I got them. In fact, I was going to see if you needed me to have them for a more long-term situation until you got everything together.”
“What? No.” I paused from putting the robe on. “Why? You think I’m doing a bad job?”
“I think it’s been a lot for you to handle, and you probably haven’t had a chance to breathe. I could give you the time to—”
“No, Banks.” I shook my head and finished with putting on the robe. “They lost Mom. Now Dad. I’m not going to disappear too. Just give me these seven days and I’ll be back.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“Okay.”
I tied the robe’s belt around my waist.
“Give me your address.”
“Why?”
“Because I am going to send five guards from Rowe Street Mob to keep you protected. And I will also be including white clothes for you.”
“Guards and white clothes?”
“Yes.”
“Banks, I don’t need—”
“Are you going to fight me on everything, Moni?”
“No. I’m just trying to understand why I need the guards and white clothes when I’m telling you that everything will be fine for these next seven days.”
“The guards will be my personal men and I’m putting them there so I can sleep at night, knowing you are safe. The moment you are not safe, they will tell me.” An edge hit his voice. “Can we compromise with that?”
I frowned. “Yes.”
“Good, because your staying with the Four Aces will be a hard sell to Marcelo.”
“He doesn’t need to know.”
“He must know. He sees you as family and he is ready to go to war with Lei.”
“Why?”
“Long story. Your main focus should be on the fact that you can no longer wear blue.”
I rolled my eyes. “Banks, there is a lot more going on right now than what color I should or should not wear—”
“You’re in the middle of something way bigger than you realize. Colors are not just chosen randomly. Every color serves as a warning.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Killer Crows in the West wear red. Ever wondered why?”
“They want to stand out?”
Banks chuckled grimly. “No, little cousin. Red is the color of blood, of anger, of passion. The Killer Crows use it to signify the blood they’ve shed and are willing to shed. It’s a constant reminder to everyone about their ruthlessness.”
I shivered. “And what about Marcy and you. Rowe Street Mob?”
“I might as well tell you everything since you have somehow catapulted your way into the Syndicate.” He sucked his teeth. “Green represents money, power, and growth. Rowe Street Mob dominates the South’s underworld economy. We control the trade routes, the docks, everything that brings money into Paradise City.”
“That makes sense. But what about the Four Aces?”
“Blue is the most dangerous of them all, Moni. Leo claimed the color was supposed to represent the depths of fathomless bodies of water.”
“How?”
“Think about the nature of deep waters. On the surface, it looks peaceful and inviting, but beneath those calm waves, there’s an abyss full of treacherous currents, unknown creatures, and secrets hidden in its depths. That’s how the Four Aces operate. They might present a facade of tranquility, but underneath, they’re always scheming, always planning.”