Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
I frowned. “Well, I don’t want you to hit Duck over what happened today.”
The mask slipped away as he smirked. “Still, I will be doing just that. Hitting. Smacking. Punching. Several kicks.”
“What?”
He laughed.
Water dripped in my eye. I wiped it away. “I don’t think that’s funny.”
“Duck is stronger than you think. He can take several punches to the jaw and gut. Even tons of kicks. His body is built like a tank.”
“I don’t care how he is built. Don’t do any of that.”
“I have to.”
“You don’t—”
“Duck should have focused on the task at hand and protected you.”
“Nothing happened to me—”
“That doesn’t stop what I will do to him.”
“I think a good talking to him can happen and then that’s it or you can just have him promise to—”
Lei laughed so loud I couldn’t finish my sentence.
I scowled.
“Monique, I was already going to hurt him over the meatball. Now—”
“Could everyone relax about the meatball? It was not that serious—”
“All I can promise you is that I will make sure Duck only limps for a few days. Due to your appearing worried, I won’t put him in the hospital this time.”
I widened my eyes in horror. “The hospital?!”
“That’s a good compromise.” He quirked his brows. “Right?”
“No. That’s violent and crazy.”
“We are the Four Aces, Monique, not the Boy Scouts. There are consequences. He knew them, so I will deliver them.”
“Okay. Okay.” I paddled my hands to stay afloat. “Just check this out. Perhaps, I overexaggerated with how I described what happened today—”
“Oh. Duck didn’t lose sight of you by fighting with Rowe Street Mob—”
“Yes, but—”
“That’s enough for me to break an arm and leg—”
“Wow. I think that is a bit much—”
“He saw I put handcuffs on you.” Lei’s amused expression returned to the Mountain Master mask. “Clearly, he knew you were important to me. More significant than anyone else.”
I swallowed.
His gaze grew stern. “I won’t be easy on him. You might as well drop it.”
Well damn. Is that an order?
“Forget about Duck’s punishment. Let’s enjoy this moment.” Then, he gracefully dove under the water. His muscular back arched, and then he was gone, swallowed by the clear blue beneath.
For a moment, I was captivated by the sight. Then, an impulse seized me.
Without a second thought, I drew a deep breath and submerged myself in the cool depths to follow him.
The setting above disappeared, replaced by an underwater realm that was both tranquil and teeming with life.
Even more daring, I opened my eyes.
Wow!
Everything was a blur of blues and greens, shimmering under the dappled sunlight that filtered through the water’s surface.
Holy fuck.
I saw a world beneath the surface, alive and thriving. Schools of silvery fish darted between the rocks. Their scales reflected the glimmers of sunlight.
Plants danced with the river’s hum.
Suddenly, Lei appeared right in front of me. His long black hair swarmed around his handsome face.
For several seconds, we stayed that way, looking at each other in the water.
Simply floating.
Suspended.
The water buoyed us.
The world outside ceased to exist.
My eyes burned a little along with my lungs, and soon I shot back up to the surface, gasping for air and chuckling at the same time.
Lei came up to the surface next and was right in front of me. A very pleased grin spread across his face.
We floated there in the water.
The sounds of nature served as our only company.
Lei’s gaze grew dark and mysterious under the sunlight. “I didn’t think I would be able to feel this way, this week.”
“And how do you feel?”
“Happy. At peace. Perfect. And. . .many other words.”
I smiled. “Well. . .I feel the same way. Every week since my mother passed has just been about hustle and survival. . .I didn’t think I would feel this peaceful until my youngest sister graduated and left the house.”
“You have been working hard.”
“I have.”
His gaze softened. “I’ll make sure you have help with your sisters from now on.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Whatever you need. Maids. Tutors. Chef. Butler. Anything.”
“Umm. I don’t know if I would ever need all of that, but thanks. I already have a house from your father and the money.”
“But you deserve the world.”
A faint blush crept onto my cheeks at his compliment. “Lei, thank you.”
“No, Monique, thank you.”
And our bodies were so close.
I could feel the heat radiating from him. It was a stark contrast against the cool water.
His eyes never left mine, their intensity mirroring the depth of the emotions coursing through me. Our breaths mingled, and I could feel his heart pounding in rhythm with mine.
His hand caressed my arm, sending shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with the temperature of the water.
Then, his fingers traced a path to my face. The gesture was tender and passionate. “Did I already tell you that you were beautiful?”
“I believe so.”
He wore a silly grin—so different from his usual Mountain Master expression. “I have to say it again. You are fucking gorgeous, Monique.”