Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“What about helicopters?”
“We have anti-air weapons on Utopia and the surrounding mountains with men guarding them. No one can land unless we want them too.” I clenched my jaw. “And if I push my father too much there’s always the small chance that. . .”
“He would kill Moni?”
“Yes.”
“Then, we can’t take any chances, Lei.”
I gritted my teeth. “Do me a favor, Dima.”
“Yes?”
“Keep eyes on the mountain. Let me know if there ends up being more gunfire.”
“I will.”
“Thank you, Dima.” A knot twisted in my gut. “If. . .”
“Yes?”
“If he has allowed guns up there then. . .perhaps he gave some to Moni. Who else would need them on Mount Utopia?”
“So. . .he gives her guns to kill?”
“I can’t think of any other reason there would be guns up there.”
“This would be part of her initiation?”
“I think so,” I rubbed the back of my neck. Tension crept up my spine. “I wonder if I can get more of my Four Aces up there.”
“It might be tricky. Leo has most likely thought of everything.”
“I can’t have her in some fucked up position out there.”
“You made her your Mountain Mistress for a reason. She’s smart and strong—”
“I made her my Mountain Mistress because my heart couldn’t live without her.”
Dima fell silent, perhaps unsure of what to say in the face of my vulnerability.
Eventually, he spoke again, and his voice was gentler this time. “Lei, I know. . .but we have to trust her. She’s proven herself already.”
“I know, Dima. It’s not her I don’t trust—it’s him. My father is sick.”
“He picked her also.”
“That doesn’t calm my nerves.”
“It should. It means he knows just how much she can take to pass whatever initiation he has for her.”
Frustration gnawed at me but I knew Dima was right.
“When are you going to sleep, Lei?”
“Soon.”
“You must. This battle isn’t just physical—it’s symbolic. Your victory will mark the end of your father’s era and the beginning of your reign.”
“I just want her back.”
Dima’s voice lowered. “I know. . .I know.”
I leaned my head to the side. “Do you have Rose with you?”
“I do. We’re on the second level of the Palace, getting ready for bed.”
“Good.” Tension gathered in my shoulders. “I’ll see you in the morning, Dima.”
“You will. I plan to help out with your training.”
A sad grin hit my face. “So you’re going to let me hit you?”
“Aww. If only you were so lucky.”
The call ended.
Then, someone knocked on the door.
I called out, “Yes?”
The door opened and Duck peeked his head in. “You told me to grab you once Moni’s sisters had settled in.”
I swallowed. “Fine, I’m coming.”
Moni wanted her sisters to have a safe and comfortable first night in the East. I would make sure that happened before heading to bed.
I just hoped that they would be okay this evening, and I could eventually go to sleep.
Will everything be okay?
Chapter eleven
Aunts, Allies, and Attitude
Lei
A minute later, Duck and I made our way down the hallway toward TT’s room.
He’s got her on Mount Utopia.
I thought it would make me feel better to at least know where she was but somehow it made everything worse.
My head throbbed. It was a dull ache pulsing at my temples.
Duck murmured on my side, “after this, you go to sleep.”
I pursed my lips.
He continued, “The stress is going to kill you if you don’t shut your brain off for a few hours.”
My voice was sharper than I intended, “I need to make sure Moni’s sisters are comfortable first.”
Duck nodded. “You want to take on all this by yourself, huh? That’s cute. But even the Mountain Master needs a mountain to lean on.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t matter. It still sounded deep and wise.”
“It didn’t.” I rolled my eyes. “Dima has satellites on Mount Utopia because I think Moni is there.”
“And?”
“There was a lot of gunfire minutes before.”
“Moni can shoot?”
“I believe so.”
“You want me to call my father and see if he’ll tell me anything?”
“Uncle Song only serves his brother. No one else.”
“I can still try, Lei.”
“Do it. Then, let me know what he says.”
“You’ll be asleep by then—”
“I won’t be—”
“You will be,” Duck scowled at me. “Or I will put you to sleep myself.”
“And how do you propose that cousin, by punching me out?”
He winked. “There are other ways a man like me can put someone to sleep.”
I frowned. “Very fucking funny.”
“I’m talking about tea, not my cock.”
“Thanks for that clarification.”
We rounded the corner.
I glanced at him. “What’s the status on Rowe Street Mob?”
“The second floor of the Palace is locked down. Four Aces guards are stationed outside Rowe Street Mob’s doors.”
“And is Banks down there?”
“No. He’s on this floor. I figured you wanted him close to the girls.”
“Moni would so. . .yeah.”
“Even Banks has guards.”
“Good. I don’t want Rowe Street Mob walking around the Palace on their own. I still don’t fucking trust them.”