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)
“You’re correct.” I leaned my head to the side. “Do you like using your cousin as your shield from my ass whippings?”
“Who’s ass do you think you could whip?”
Chen cleared his throat. “Banks, perhaps you can direct your assistants to the grill in the back and then return.”
Ignoring Chen’s suggestion, Banks inched closer and locked his gaze with mine. “Bitch.”
Fast, the point of Duck’s sword was suddenly pressed against Banks’s throat.
The three women backed away.
Duck hissed. “What was that? I didn’t hear you. Say it again for me.”
Banks didn’t flinch, but that smile disappeared.
“I believe he said that he was happy to be in the East.” I winked at Banks. “Am I correct?”
Banks pursed his lips.
I curved my mouth into a big smile. “Put the blade down, Duck. I think he understands now.”
Duck whipped the blade away, the tip cutting a tiny, thin line near Banks’ throat before he sheathed it back. Banks didn’t wince as a small beat of blood welled from the nick.
He simply resumed his glare.
“Let’s be clear.” I sneered. “Moni being here, is a slight disadvantage from my being the monster that you damn well know I can be, but let’s not think that I have no options.”
“You’re going to learn.” Banks studied me for a moment longer, then gave a curt nod. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode towards the grill.
His women nervously trailed behind him.
Then, I saw the others several feet away—Marcelo, Gunner, and Einstein, accompanied by ten others, all wearing shades of green.
The shortest cookout that ever existed.
I checked my watch.
Maybe, I can kick them out now.
Moni was barely four feet away from them.
While Duck, Chen, and I were a good fifteen feet away.
Marcelo walked in the center, towering over the others with his imposing frame. His green eyes glinted with something dark, matching the green outfit he wore. Long black curls fell over his forehead. The only jewelry on him was a Rolex wrapped around his wrist, all diamonds and white gold.
Then, I checked his left.
Gunner, with his bulging muscles and gun tattoo on his hand, was impossible to miss. Although heading Moni’s way, he watched me closely, his gaze was cold and calculating.
To Marcelo’s right was Einstein, slender and wearing green-rimmed glasses. As usual he had a book in his hand, I caught a glimpse of the title—The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.
Chen whispered, “You must do a better job of keeping calm when you’re around Banks.”
“I thought I did well.”
“Her sisters caught Duck’s sword on Banks’s throat.”
I gritted my teeth.
“They’ll be watching.”
I made sure to not look in that direction of the garden. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
Up ahead Moni chuckled, went over to Gunner and wrapped her arms around him. “Teddy Bear! It’s been forever!”
Duck snorted. “Teddy Bear?”
Gunner tried to appear ferocious like he usually did, but once in Moni’s hold he damn near appeared like some fucking cuddly teddy bear.
Seeing her touch another man didn’t calm the rage within me. In fact, I was ready to kill Gunner.
Can I?
I checked the other side of the garden.
While Chloe and TT were sitting on the ground flipping through the photo album, Jo was smoking a joint and watching me.
I returned my view to the front and stopped us five feet away from Marcelo, ensuring that I was out of range of easily slapping him.
Gunner laughed. “Hey, you can’t call me that right now, Moni. I’m on duty.”
Moni let Gunner go. “Oh, my bad. No to Teddy Bear. So do I call you Theodore—”
“No.” Gunner’s face turned red. “It’s Gunner.”
Moni blinked. “What?”
He showed her the gun tattoo. “Everyone calls me Gunner now.”
“Well. . .that’s a bit. . .violent.”
Little did she know, Gunner was the very fucking definition of violence.
Why did she have to be so close to Rowe Street Mob? Of all people that she could have grown up with in the South. Why them?
Moni moved to Einstein and gave him a big hug. “Hey, Smarty.”
“As always, nice to see you, Moni.”
“Oh.” She pointed to his book. “That looks good.”
“You would love it.” Einstein showed her the cover. “How about I get you a copy and we can read and discuss it together?”
“I’m down. You know I always love having book chats with you.”
The line of my jaw twitched again.
She reached Marcelo and everything shifted.
Marcelo’s gaze locked onto mine. A silent challenge hit his eyes.
Chen whispered. “Don’t play into his bullshit, Lei.”
Next, Marcelo wrapped his massive arms around Moni and lifted her off the ground.
“Marcy!” She shrieked in surprise, her legs kicking in the air as she playfully smacked his shoulder.
“Put me down, Marcelo!” she laughed, but I wasn’t laughing.
Every muscle in my body tensed and before I knew it, I was moving forward, all my instincts screaming to tear him apart.
Duck, Hu, Chen, and the rest of my men grabbed me, holding me back with all their strength.