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)
The Mountain Master did not like surprises, especially ones that came to the East.
What the fuck, Banks? Who are the surprise guests? You better not be starting any shit.
Chapter seventeen
Like a Hole Had Been Filled
Moni
Minutes later, the sound of approaching helicopters grew louder.
It’s them!
My heart began to race.
Nervous excitement bubbled up inside me.
I shifted from side to side, unable to keep still.
It felt like it had been years since I’d seen them, instead of weeks.
Plus, I wanted my sisters to be impressed by the East, to like Lei and his aunts, but not feel too overwhelmed by everything.
Even more, I hoped I was making the right decision with moving them so quickly into Lotus Blossom.
There was Banks—I hoped he wouldn't cause a scene when I let him know about the move.
My hands trembled.
As if hearing my thoughts, Lei grabbed my hand. “Everything will be fine.”
Please, God. Let him be right.
His reassuring touch soothed my racing pulse, grounding me back to the present—our present, entwined together in this new life we had made for ourselves.
Slowly, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.
In the distance, the helicopter was no longer just a sound but a visible entity, dark against the soft hues of the sun.
My palms began to sweat as I watched it descend towards Lotus Blossom. The rumbling of its engine echoed.
Duck got to my right and pointed near the entrance. “Why is there a carousel?”
I continued to look at the sky. “Your aunts.”
“Aww.”
“There’s mermaids in front of the house too.”
“Real ones?”
I snapped my view to him. “Duck, mermaids aren’t real?”
“We don’t know that.” Duck looked that way. “Wow. Those are definitely mermaids. This is going to be the best cookout ever.”
“Let’s hope.”
He moved his view to the sky. “How old are your sisters again?”
“Jo is twenty. Chloe is seventeen—”
“But about to turn eighteen soon?”
I snapped my view back to him. “Duck, don’t make me hurt you.”
“Oh no. I was just asking.”
I continued to side-eye him. “TT is eleven.”
“Okay. I’m assuming Jo is off limits.”
Lei tilted forward and frowned at him. “Moni’s sisters are our family now, so yes. They’re off limits.”
“Oh.” Duck sighed. “I just heard they were hot.”
“Who the hell told you that?”
Duck shrugged.
I tapped his shoulder. “Keep your meat balls and panty grabbing away from my sisters.”
Duck held his hands up. “Who me? I’m always a perfect gentleman.”
“You showed your penis to my ladies-in-waiting.”
Aunt Min shrieked behind us. “Duck!”
Aunt Suzi hit his back. “Not the ladies!”
Duck looked at us like we were crazy. “Hey, they asked to see it.”
Lei scowled. “We’ll be talking later.”
Duck cleared his throat. “Yes, Mountain Master.”
The helicopters got closer.
I looked at Lei. His eyes were calm as he watched the approaching helicopter, his grip on my hand never wavering. The firm set of his jaw told me he was as ready as I was, but also as nervous and hopeful.
I leaned his way and whispered, “They’ll love you.”
He swallowed.
Suddenly, the chopper was over us. Dust and leaves rushed up and swirled, making it hard to breathe.
The helicopter descended, its blades whipping up a gust of wind that sent more loose leaves and dust swirling.
Lei and I stepped a few feet forward.
God, I hope they love the place.
I stood on tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse of my sisters through the helicopter's windows, but I couldn’t see anything.
My heart pounded in my chest as it landed and the door opened.
Oh.
Disappointment washed over me when I saw it was only the DJ with his equipment.
I turned to Lei, trying to mask my frustration with a smile. “That's Hendrix. Banks always uses him for parties.”
Lei nodded, appearing mildly interested. “Well, at least the DJ is here. Let's hope he knows how to play good music, or Aunt Suzi might just kill him.”
“You’re joking right?”
He frowned. “She’s my father’s sister.”
I blinked. “Shit. I’ll be sure to tell him to focus on that.”
We shared a brief laugh, but my mind quickly shifted back to the anticipation of my sisters' arrival.
As Hendrix and what I guessed to be his assistant began carrying equipment out of the helicopter, the second helicopter came into view.
My nerves spiked again and I let go of Lei’s hand and hurried over as it landed, the whirring blades gradually slowing down.
Come on. Come on.
The door opened and my heart sank once more. Out stepped Aunt Betty, followed by some young hottie. Dude must have been in his late twenties.
That must be her new boo she went on the cruise with.
Although almost hitting sixty, Aunt Betty looked to be in her thirties and took advantage of that youthful beauty by dating in that age bracket or going even younger.
Banks hated it but being that Aunt Betty had damn near been celibate during most of his childhood, fully dedicated to raising him, his brother, Marcelo and some of the others. . .well everyone ignored the young boyfriends and let her be.