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)
She was the strength I needed.
The spark that would ignite my own path to healing.
As I watched her, my heart twisted with a slew of emotions.
I realized that my body was no longer just warm. It was burning. A flame had been kindled within me, fueled by her strength and determination. A flame that was slowly melting away the icy walls of my grief and fear, maybe replacing them with the warmth of hope and resolve.
Looking into her defiant eyes, I felt a shift within me. My resolve was indeed crumbling, but it was not a collapse.
It was a metamorphosis.
A transformation ignited by the strength of the woman standing before me.
I looked at her, the woman I’d come to find comfort in, to care for in a way that was different from Chanel but no less intense.
Monique’s words held a simple truth that I’d been avoiding. Chanel was gone, and while I could cherish her memory, I couldn’t let it consume my present.
Monique disrupted my thoughts. “What are you going to do, Lei?”
“I need tonight to say goodbye to her body and then. . .” I swallowed. “I’ll tell Chen to have her taken back to her family in the morning.”
Monique closed the small distance between us and took my hand, further encasing me in her warmth. “Thank you. Her family will appreciate it, and. . .your heart, your soul. . .they will be better because of it. You will heal faster.”
“But I don’t want to heal if she disappears from my mind.”
Monique gave me a sad smile and squeezed my hand. “I have a feeling that Chanel will never disappear from your mind.”
Footsteps sounded off in the distance.
Then, Chen appeared at my side and glanced at our locked hands. Worry laced his voice. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” I looked at him. “Is Duck here?”
Chen sighed. “He’s getting stitched up by the doctor along with some of our other men.”
I leaned my head to the side. “Why stitch Duck’s scars when I’m only going to open them back up later?”
Monique let go of my hand. “What?”
Chen let out another sigh. “Since you need to make up for more sparring with Hu today, I believe that I can discipline Duck for you—”
“That’s not happening. You can’t save him from our discussion.”
Monique turned to me. “What do you mean you are going to open Duck’s scars back up?”
“Duck fucked up with leaving you there. He needs to be disciplined.”
Monique’s voice rose. “That doesn’t mean you hit him.”
“You got your way with Chanel’s body.” I scowled at her. “You will not get your way with this. Trust me.”
Chen nervously adjusted his glasses. “What’s this about Chanel’s body?”
My stomach twisted with an agonizing sadness. “Make preparations to have Chanel delivered to the Jones Family in the morning.”
Chen opened his mouth in shock.
I swallowed down some of my grief. “I will deal with Duck after dinner, and then. . .I will say goodbye to Chanel tonight. Due to all of that. . .I’m not training anymore today. I need a fucking break.”
Chen bobbed his head. “O-kay. But you did say we were giving Chanel’s body back? Correct?”
“Yes. In the morning.”
“Alright.” Chen bobbed his head again. “Good. Very good. Then, take your break.”
“No one bothers us today, including you. If they do, then I will personally make sure they regret it.” I grabbed Monique’s hand and led her away.
Chapter thirty
Wet and Wild
Monique
Lei guided me along, and I stepped foot into a space that was more enchanting than anything I could’ve ever envisioned.
First of all, I had never been on Mount Utopia, just seen it a few times when I drove to Paradise.
Now we strolled through this encampment sprawled before my eyes. Tents, all dyed in the calming shade of blue, dotted the rocky landscape in a harmonious pattern.
Groups of shirtless men exercised. Their bodies rippled with muscles and their movements filled with a disciplined grace.
And they were all sexy as fuck.
Mmmhmm.
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement stir in my stomach as I watched them.
Lei noticed my gaze and smirked. “Like what you see?”
I blushed, caught off guard. “I, uh, I mean. . .they’re very. . .fit.”
Lei chuckled. “Be careful that you don’t get them harmed.”
“And why would you harm these guys?”
“Due to your drooling over them.”
“And why would you do that, Mountain Master?” I sucked my teeth. “I’m just enjoying the scenery.”
His smirk deepened. “Is that what you’re doing?”
“You have a whole ass harem. Stop being extra.”
As we walked further along, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of this place. The air was sweet and clean, the sun warm on my skin. I felt alive in a way I never had before.
We passed by a group of women practicing archery. Their bodies were fluid and graceful as they pulled back on their bows. A few glanced our way and whispered to each other.