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)
My father’s voice hit the line. “Open the gate.”
“Let her out of the car.”
“How can I trust that you will let me go?”
“How can I trust that you will let Moni go?”
The line went silent for a moment, as if he were considering this new predicament.
“Unlock the gate,” he repeated.
“I need assurance of her safety.” It took everything in me to not scream at him. “Let her step out of the car.”
“I will not take her. That was the deal that we agreed on.”
“I need more evidence of that.”
“She has convinced me that it would be disadvantageous to the bigger picture, if I kidnapped her today. She’s convinced me.”
Good job, Moni.
I nodded. “I trust her, not you. Therefore, if you let her at least get out of the car, I promise that you have safe passage. You leave the East. No one will come after you.”
“Hmmm.”
The crowd began to get bigger and louder. More shoppers swelled and jostled against each other, struggling to get closer to us.
Duck got closer to me and took out his sword. “Fuck.”
Arms reached out, and hands waved frantically at me, as more and more people joined the throng, creating a pulsating mass of bodies.
Next, there was a heavy sigh on the other end. “Fine, son.”
Chen’s voice grew shaky. “We need to hurry this up, Lei.”
“Father?” I gripped the phone tighter. “Just let her leave the car.”
“I will, but the door will remain open.”
The line of my jaw twitched.
Did he plan to yank her back in the car if I tried anything stupid?
Or did he plan to grab her regardless?
Fuck.
I swallowed down the new fear creeping up my throat.
No. Trust Moni. He may be crazy, but she is probably talking sense to him.
Then, to my shock, Moni got on the line. “I’m fine, Lei. You can open the gates.”
Hearing her voice was like hands leaving my neck after choking me.
It was pure relief, utter music to my ears.
The tension that had built up in my muscles, the tightness around my chest, the incessant pounding in my head—all dissipated as she spoke.
“So. . .this is what we should do.” Her words flowed through the receiver, soft yet clear, each syllable lifting the shadows of fear that had clung to me. “I am going to step out of the car, while you give the orders to unlock the gate, but you do not have to open it just yet.”
“Okay.”
My father’s voice sounded in the background. He was definitely saying something to her, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
“Leo, why would he agree to that?” she replied. “No, Leo. That’s not cool.”
I blinked. “What’s going on?”
Ignoring my question, she continued talking to him, “It makes more sense for me to be in a zone of safety, before he lets you go.”
She’s right about that. I guess Moni truly does have control of this situation.
Still, I shivered in fear.
She returned to me. “Lei, I am opening the door right now.”
“Okay.” I looked at Chen and spoke to him, “Tell them to unlock the gates and get ready to open them, but don’t open them just yet.”
Chen gave me a hard look, but nodded and relayed my instructions into his phone.
I spoke back into my phone, “It’s done, Moni. Come over to me.”
Her soft nervous chuckle came. “I can’t come over just yet, baby.”
It shouldn’t have happened, but my heart warmed and my cock jumped at her calling me baby. It was the absolute worst moment for either to be happening, but still it all did.
Yeah. I’m probably pussy whipped.
She continued, “However, I’m leaving the car right now.”
I widened my eyes.
The back door of the vehicle swung open and I saw her step out onto the asphalt. Her blue dress fluttered in the slight breeze, her eyes filled with fear and confusion as she realized that now some of the crowd was beginning to form around her.
“Get control of them now,” I spoke through clenched teeth. “No one can touch her.”
Hu rushed that way with several of my men.
My heartbeat quickened at the sight of her, but I forced myself to remain calm. I had to maintain control of the situation.
Moni’s voice came nervous on the line. “Lei, what is Hu doing?”
“Only getting control of the crowd. That’s it. No one is coming for my father or you. I’m going to honor the deal.”
“Alright. I’m getting off the phone and handing it back to Leo.” She did just that and remained near the car.
My father’s voice hit the line. “Now your move.”
“The gates are unlocked.”
“They need to be open, son.”
“Tell Moni to step ten feet away from the car.”
“I could still get her at that distance, if you chose to be stupid.”
Rage coiled within my chest. “I’m aware of that, but her distance from you will still make me feel better about opening the gates.”