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)
Lei stood several feet behind me. Next to him were Duck, Hu, and Chen, as well as my ladies-in-waiting—Thandi, Lan, and Fen.
All of them were dressed in blue, a stark contrast to the green my sisters wore. I could only imagine what my sisters must be thinking about this new group of strangers.
Off in the distance, Aunt Suzi's voice rang out, “Sister, the babies are here!”
Oh fuck. I better hurry this up before the aunts rush over.
Surely thinking the same thing, Lei stepped forward. His expression was a mix of calm and anticipation.
I took a deep breath.
This introduction was crucial and I hoped it would go smoothly.
Lei stopped in front of my sisters and extended his hand to Jo first. “Welcome to the East.”
Hope and anxiety swirled in my chest.
Jo remained silent and just looked at his hand like he must be tripping.
Fuck.
And my whole body went stiff.
Be nice, Jo.
Chapter eighteen
Crazy Family
Lei
I had faced hundreds of murderous enemies in Diamond Syndicate wars, stared down the edge of sharp, poisoned blades, and walked through streets soaked in blood and flooded with dead bodies, after a mega gun battle.
Yet, standing here, extending my hand to Moni’s sister, Jo. . .my heart pounded in a way it never had before. It was a hammer battering my ribcage, threatening to burst through.
Explode.
And the weight of Jo’s deafening silence hung between us, as sharp and heavy as any deadly sword.
Jo didn’t take my hand. Instead, she stared at it with a look that could have sliced through my soul.
My throat tightened, yet I kept my hand steady and my expression calm.
Moni’s other two sisters watched, probably waiting to see how this moment would unfold.
And unfortunately, I could feel Moni’s anxiety next to me, pulsing.
Rising.
I had killed many men and survived the most treacherous situations.
Surely, I could face this challenge.
Surely, I could win Moni’s sisters over.
Yet, as Jo’s stare pierced through me, I realized this was not a battle I could win with brute force or intimidation.
I won’t be able to Mountain Master her.
This was a different kind of challenge, one that required a softness I had not often allowed myself to show.
Give her time.
I finally lowered my hand, letting it fall back to my side. A part of me felt a sharp sting of rejection, but I pushed it aside.
Family was sacred and these three were the people Moni loved most in the world. Now they were part of my world too. Therefore, it was my responsibility to make sure they were protected, respected, and cherished, whether they accepted me or not.
Next to me, Moni sucked her teeth. “Jo, there’s no need to be rude—”
“I don’t know where his hand has been.” Jo dove her hands in her pockets and watched me. “I just don’t go around shaking everybody’s hand like that.”
“I understand.” Nodding, I kept my voice relaxed. “I also understand this situation must be overwhelming too. This place, the people. . .it will be a lot to take in.”
Jo’s gaze didn’t soften, but she didn’t walk away either.
I took that as a small victory as I studied these new three sisters entering my life. Each of them had their own expressions—Jo’s defiance, Chloe’s curiosity, and TT’s cautious wonder.
“I know I’m not what you expected—”
“I didn’t expect anything.” Jo frowned. “Because mostly I’ve been in the dark about everything.”
“Girl, that is not what we are doing right now.” Moni had an expression that I had never seen before, tense and authoritative like someone was about to get a whipping. “Lose the attitude, Jo. I have been dealing with all types of crazy shit while you three were safe in the South, just to make sure our lives were better—”
“Nobody told you that you had to do that by yourself—”
“And nobody told you to come over here and be rude for no damn reason—”
“I’m being rude? This man got you on TV like you’re the First Lady and he hasn’t even taken the time to meet us or meet the rest of your family and get our permission.” Jo scowled at me and pointed at my chest. “You don’t own my sister. I’m telling you that right now. You’ll have to go through us.”
Moni blinked. “Jo, would you relax?”
I spoke, “You’re correct, Jo.”
They both went silent and looked at me.
I watched as Jo slowly lowered her finger. The fire in her eyes dimmed just slightly.
It was not a victory, but it was a shift. I was pretty sure she had expected me to push back, to assert my dominance. Instead, I had shown her that I was willing to listen and understand.
Now what do I say?
The situation had escalated quickly, far more quickly than I had anticipated. I could still feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy, as Jo’s aggravated words echoed in my mind.