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)
On the right, others carried massive barrels, their contents unknown to me, but by the happy laughter and eager looks, I guessed it to be some local, perhaps intoxicating, beverage.
Others gracefully maneuvered around the busyness, carrying long wooden tables.
Among the activity, another group caught my eye as they hauled massive bushels of flowers in different shades of blue.
Damn. This feast is going to be bigger than the other one.
We moved further into the camp, and suddenly the lively chatter began to dim as everybody noticed the five Rowe Street Mob members.
Many shifted to hushed murmurs and sidelong glances.
This is so crazy.
Here and there, Lei’s people whispered behind their hands, pointing subtly but unmistakably at Banks’s men.
More concerning were the guys who responded with more than just stares. A few instinctively grabbed their weapons.
One man, with a large dragon tattoo running down his arm, pointed his knife at Silent Sal and then spit on the ground.
Wow. Can we just all relax?
I got the feeling that if Chen didn’t walk by us, this walk but have been very different.
“Chen.” I tugged at my current sky-blue attire and sighed. “Why does the color situation have to be so complicated?”
Chen looked my way. “Colors are simple. It’s the meanings we attach to them that complicate things. Plus, there’s a lot of tension between the East and South right now.”
“And. . .you still think that. . .Lei may trip?”
“It’s not that he may trip as you say. It is how we contain his certain anger to a point where bombs are not exploding in the East and South.”
I swallowed.
“However. . .” Chen let out a long breath. “I think I have a plan.”
I eyed him. “What is it?”
A neutral mask covered his face.
“Chen?”
He remained quiet.
“I thought we already had a plan?”
“Yes, Monique, but after Banks’s statements, we will need to alter the plan in some areas.”
“What areas?”
To my surprise, Chen groaned and pulled out his phone.
I stole a quick glance. “Are you going to tell me or not?”
Chen dialed a number and then placed it to his ear. “Wu? Yes. Good. I’m glad he is well. Yes, but, where is the Mountain Master now?”
I tensed.
“No. No. Extend the final medical assessment. Keep him a little bit longer. Yes. That’s what I said.”
What the hell is Chen doing?
“No. Do not worry, Wu. I will arrive and escort Lei back to his tent. Do you understand? Good.” Chen moved the phone from his ear and placed it back in his pocket.
Utterly confused, I looked at Chen. “What was that about?”
“I want Lei’s healer to extend the medical assessment of him, to buy us more time.”
“Alright. And what do you want me to do?”
“Take a very, very long shower.”
A grin hit my face. “A shower?”
“Yes. Surely, the walk down and back up has gotten dirt on your skin. We have a feast tonight. All will be watching you—”
“Hold on. I thought I wasn’t going to the feast—”
“We will have to change that.”
“To what?”
“To your going to the feast.”
“Yes, Chen, but you want me to just show up in a white gown like it’s cool?” I looked ahead, seeing Lei’s and my tent. “I don’t want to shock Lei while he is already dealing with his sister.”
“I believe that I have a solution that should keep this new situation with Rowe Street Mob on pause until my Uncle Leo is dealt with.”
A sense of urgency washed over me. “And what is it?”
Chen stopped and turned to face me. “I am glad we met you.”
The sincerity in his voice surprised me.
“O-kay. . .”
“The way everything is happening right now, I believe that you will be around us for a very long time in some capacity or another.”
“And the plan?”
“Let me handle that.” Chen gazed at my men in green and then put his view on me. “Just take your shower. I figured out what must happen.”
“You have?”
“Yes.”
“And it will be less complicated?”
“I am not a miracle worker, Monique. There will be complications but I see a temporary way for us to buy time.”
“And you’re not going to tell me anything?”
“I need you to trust me.”
I held out my hands. “But Chen—”
“Enjoy your shower.” He gave me a polite nod and then headed away.
Come on, dude. Tell me.
I watched Chen leave. His dark blue suit seamlessly blended into the twilight shadows of the mountain, making him appear more like a phantom than a man.
Let’s hope this plan is better than the earlier one.
Soon, Banks’s men gathered around me.
Rattlesnake Rick slid into position on my left, his fingers twisting and playing with his lengthy braided goatee. His sharp eyes darted around as if assessing the area. “Is there a problem?”
I pushed aside my unease. “I don’t think so.”
“Are we to wait for Chen to return?”
“No.”
“Then, where should we be escorting you?”
“My tent is over there.” I pointed to the large structure further ahead, its silhouette grand against the darkening sky. “Apparently, I’m about to take a shower.”