Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
“There has to be more that I can do.”
“This battle will be Mountain Master against Grand Mountain Master. I do not want you on the floor when we take out our swords.”
My bottom lip quivered. “I can’t watch you get hurt in any way, not even a scratch.”
He gave me a sad smile. “Don’t worry. I heal fast.”
“Lei, I’m serious.”
“Me too.”
I grabbed his hand and placed it over his heart. “Promise to do the signal, if you need me.”
“I wouldn’t do the signal in a battle—”
“Why not?”
“Because I need you on the sidelines and safe. I can’t trust my father to not hurt you—”
“Do our signal if you need me. I’ll figure out something. I’ll. . .help you and stay safe.”
He studied me for a moment and flashes of some complex emotion appeared in the depth of his eyes.
I kept my gaze firm.
Determined.
After a beat, he nodded and let out a long sigh. “Alright. I’ll give you the signal, if I truly need you, but don’t fucking get hurt.”
“I promise.”
Relief came.
Good. Now all I have to do is figure out how I could help him during the battle.
We both knew how high the stakes were. But in this moment, with my hand on his while it remained over his heart, I resolved myself to do whatever it took to keep him safe. To ensure that our love story would continue its course towards eternity.
Suddenly, the helicopter began to touch down and I gazed out of the window.
Holy shit.
Earlier, his aunts and him kept saying the word beach house and that was what I had pictured in my mind—weathered wood and large windows in front of the ocean. Maybe a front porch with colorful chairs and a swing. Perhaps, a roof with a few seagulls hanging around.
“Lei, what the fuck?” I shook my head.
“What’s wrong?”
I turned back to him. “Lei, that’s not a damn beach house. That’s a goddamn castle on sand.”
He blinked, looked back at the property and this booming laugh left him.
Deep, rich, and joyful.
And I loved the sound of it.
Because at least for a few seconds he had forgotten about his sister’s murder and needing to kill his father.
Chuckling some more, his cheeks lifted upwards and this unguarded smile spread across his face. “Well. . .I guess it is bigger than a house.”
How the hell am I going to get used to his world?
Chapter ten
My Father’s True Gift to Moni
Lei
The helicopter lowered and the gentle vibrations of the engine could be felt through the floor and seats as it descended onto the pad.
I glanced over my shoulder and spotted the other helicopters landing further behind us on the pad. Soon Chen and everyone else would get off, head to the Mirage and get dressed for the beach.
Moni is right. We need this short break.
In my world, danger and uncertainty were my constant companions, but this time at the beach could ease my shattered mind.
Right now. . .my heart bore scars that no amount of time or distance could fully heal. But the tranquil setting and Moni next to me could help me, like quick gasps of air between deep dives into violent waters, kept swimmers afloat in the endless ocean.
And then there was Moni's family.
I thought about her sisters arriving at Lotus Blossom.
This heaviness pressed against my chest.
Some part of me knew that I would need their approval to truly keep this new connection with Moni steady.
But even more. . .now with my sister's absence, bringing Moni’s sisters into my life felt necessary. My mother and sister were dead. My father would be gone soon. While I loved my aunts, uncles, and cousins, a part of me was nervous about being alone in the future.
Stop thinking that way. You have her and you’ll never let her go.
I turned my gaze to Moni.
She still stared out the window, her eyes wide with disbelief at the sight of my massive estate that stretched along the beach.
I grinned and looked back at the towering structure, wondering what was going on in her mind.
Does it impress her?
The Mirage Estate was a three-level masterpiece of sky-blue architecture. Its walls had been crafted with a mirroring material for the purpose of reflecting the shimmering waves of the ocean.
The effect was mesmerizing.
When one stood in front of it, they could see the ocean behind them as if it were a massive mirror.
And when sunlight hit the surface, it refracted in such a way that the waves appeared to ripple across the estate's exterior, dancing and sparkling as if the building were breathing with the rhythm of the tide.
Of course the design choice had been intentional. My mother wanted the Mirage to symbolize harmony with nature.
I put my view back on Moni.
“This is just. . .wow.” She let out a long breath. “Just when I think your properties have outdone themselves you show me something that is even more spectacular.”