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)
“Like what?”
“Stand and bow my head when you enter. Don’t sit down until you signal. Also, don’t eat until you signal.” I considered some of the other things. “Oh. Follow your pace as you eat. If you are munching slowly, we should too. No personal items on the table. I think he said it would seem disrespectful to just have my phone on the table while in your presence. Basically you were to be treated like an emperor.”
Lei rolled his eyes and turned back to the elevator.
My grin widened. “You don’t like all of the traditions?”
“It’s unnecessary.”
“Why?”
“My father thought all of this stuff was important for the East. But me, I find it to be unnecessary.”
“What?” I widened my eyes. “Why would you think that?”
“Because this is not a time of kings and emperors.”
“But I think everyone likes treating you that way.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I took this sociology class long ago that talked about why people love having royal figures. Like in England.”
“And what did it say?”
“Emperors and kings are not just leaders. They are. . .icons—figures larger than life. Their actions. Their decisions. Their very personas are steeped in an aura of mystique that sets them apart from everyone else.” For some reason, this exciting giddiness came over me. “This mystique fascinates them. Shoot. Me too. It draws everyone in. It makes life which can be a bit boring. . .well. . .it makes regular days more entertaining and fascinating.”
Lei’s gaze flickered with amusement. “So, you find me fascinating?”
I blushed. “Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the Mountain Master?”
He slipped his gaze down my body and licked his lips.
Alright now. Mr. Mountain Master. I will climb the mountain!
The elevator pinged and opened its doors.
Sighing, Lei guided me forward.
We stepped onto the elevator.
The cool metal of the handcuffs clanked against my wrist.
His men tried to follow.
Lei held up his hand. “Take the next one.”
One nodded.
The rest edged back.
The doors closed.
A silent breath slipped past my lips as I stole a sidelong glance at Lei. His presence was like a gravitational pull, drawing my attention and my appreciation whether I liked it or not.
He looked impeccably suave, dressed in that blue designer suit which was clearly tailored to accentuate his athletic build. He embodied this irresistible refined elegance that was hard for me to ignore.
Involuntarily, I found my gaze shifting towards his hair. The long, silky strands were as dark as a raven’s feathers, tied up in a style reminiscent of Duck’s.
A faint smile spread across my face.
Why are these guys so fine? Is everyone this hot in the East?
When I visited my cousin for the summer, we always remained in the South. It was all shades of green, full of working-class people doing their best to get by. My sisters and I would be there for a month or two, swimming, acting up at cookouts, and getting into trouble like kids always did.
Mom always packed us green clothes and told us to never wear blue, yellow, or red. I found it all to be pretty comical, until I heard of this news story one summer where several people in green had gotten shot at some bowling alley in the West. I had no idea what it was all about, but it always sat in my mind that the colors had something to do with it.
I snuck another gaze at Lei.
If I decide to live in Paradise, I may have to buy some blue outfits and check out the East. Lots of hot guys out there for sure.
I chuckled to myself, knowing Banks and Sid would lose their damn minds.
Lei turned towards me, raising an eyebrow at my chuckle. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, just thinking about all the trouble I would get into if I started wearing blue all the time. My cousins would go crazy.”
The line in Lei’s jaw twitched. “Banks. Right?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “You probably don’t know him, but—”
“I know Banks.”
“You do? How?”
He gave me an odd look. “We are all united under the Diamond Syndicate.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “Which is what?”
“Banks hasn’t told you a lot about his. . .work?”
“Anytime I go to Paradise, I make sure to hit up my cousins’ bar, the Emerald Den to support them. I’m really proud of Banks and Sid for opening it up.”
Lei watched me.
I shrugged. “But that’s as much as I know about their business. What’s the Diamond Syndicate?”
Instead of answering me, he asked, “Do you know Marcelo?”
I grinned. “You mean, Marcy. Yes. Of course I know him. Marcy has been Banks’ best friend since I don’t know. . .they were in diapers.”
Lei cleared his throat. “Marcy?”
“I gave him that nickname one summer when he let me braid his hair into these two long pigtails. He looked so adorable my sisters and I started calling him Marcy and he let us.” I held up my free hand. “However, you can’t call him that. Jo and I are pretty much the only people I know that can call him Marcy.”