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)
“He was intense yesterday. Today, we have an understanding.”
“Hmmm.”
Hoping I was right, I took in the vast panorama of the mountainside around us. “Everything will be fine.”
“Or we can follow my plan where Banks’s men for you will remain in a tent eating the best food and expensive wine that we have on this mountain. It would be an amazing vacation for them—”
“We can’t do that. I assume my cousin will want them to update him on what’s going on around me—”
“I guarantee it, but I will have another set of men that will have their phones and do the job of updating—”
“If Banks found out, he would lose his damn mind—”
“He won’t find out. Just like he will never know that you are wearing blue—”
“Oh! Now I’m going to completely break my promise to my cousin so that I can keep Lei happy—a man I just met—”
“A very dangerous man that you just met.”
“Lei will understand—”
“Or you will be the harbinger of destruction, bringing about the cataclysmic annihilation of South Paradise itself.”
My stomach twisted. “Just because I wear a freaking white shirt?”
“For the audacity to do it in front of the Mountain Master. Yes.”
“Chen, I could see if I was wearing green, but white is neutral.”
“Yet, I like my plan.” Chen gave me a weak smile. “With Banks’s men eating the best food and drinking expensive wine, they will be the envy of every man on this mountain. Another set of men will have the guys’ phones and be in charge of updating Banks on the situation. It all works.”
I pursed my lips.
Chen continued, “Meanwhile, you will wear blue as a symbol of your connection to the Four Aces. This will show Lei your solid loyalty. And Banks will never find out.”
“I don’t like deceiving my cousin. That’s not how I roll.”
“Monique, my day has already become extremely difficult.”
I glanced at him. “Why?”
“Lei’s sister has arrived.”
“And she doesn’t want Lei to kill their father?”
“I believe that statement is valid yet, there can always be more wicked undertones with Yan’s appearance here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let us just say that I will need to be focused on her and whatever conflict she brings—”
“Then, I’ve got you. Let me handle this and—”
“And your handling this means maintain your promise to Banks and talking to Lei?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think it will work.”
I stopped and looked at him. “Alright.”
Chen quirked his brows. “Alright?”
“I’m not breaking my promise but I will try to work with you.”
He leaned his head to the side. “How?”
“What can I do to make your life easier?”
“As soon as Lei sees that you are wearing white and Marcelo’s men are around you, this could negatively alter the entire evening. Let’s not forget the fact that I now have to hold a big feast for his sister.”
I widened my eyes. “You do?”
Chen nodded.
“What if I don’t go to the feast?”
“Again, I ask you to return to the evidence of the handcuffs. Lei wants you by his side. It is annoying but for now it makes my job easier.”
“I could not show up because I am sick.”
“He would want to check on you—”
“But first he would have to do the feast. Lei is about tradition. Right?”
“He is.”
“Think about this. First, I’m late. That’s why he doesn’t see me. Then, he can find out that I’m sick in the middle of the feast, and you can say that I’m sleeping and well-guarded.”
Chen went silent as if thinking it over.
“So. . .Lei is now talking to his sister and you both can focus on that.”
Chen nodded. “Then, after the feast he will want to go directly to you and make sure you are fine.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
“By then, Yan is either off the mountain or in her sleeping quarters staying out of trouble for the evening.”
“See, Chen. That works.”
“Next Lei will go to you and discover that you were not sick, in fact you are doing awesome, wearing white and surrounded by men in green—”
“Which I believe I can handle through a conversation.”
“Or he will just kill me and lock you away in a blue cage for the rest of your life. That doesn’t even deal with his wanting to destroy Rowe Street Mob.”
“That’s not. . .going to happen.” I started walking again. “This could work—”
“Or this could blow up in our faces.” Chen followed.
“How?”
“If Lei sees that you are not at the feast, then he is going to you. After losing Chanel, I don’t think he will wait through the feast without you.”
“Tell him I’m on my way, and then later say I’m sick—”
“And where will you be before the feast?”
“In that supposed tent you were going to put Banks’s men.”
“He wants you by his side.”
“Well—” I was going to speak but I caught the view ahead of us as Chen’s mini-army of blue separated into two groups and flanked the gate’s entrance.