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)
“Why, Lei?”
“It might end up being dangerous in the South—”
“Because you’re going to fuck with the South?”
He remained quiet as the accusation hung in the air between us.
I should have known he would not have taken nicely to Banks’s and Marcy’s bullshit. I thought I did a damn good job of dealing with them, but my stubborn ass Mountain Master would want to have his say too. And while Lei had warmed to Dima’s appearance, I could tell he would make Rowe Street Mob pay for that surprise too.
The only questions were how much violence would come and if I could stop it.
Chills ran down my spine. “You’re right.”
“I’m right?”
“You are your father’s son.”
Lei’s gaze went cold. “We should talk about this later.”
“We sure will.” I gritted my teeth.
He softened his expression, took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “For now. . .let’s have a nice cookout and finish the gifts.”
I knew this would end up being a long, heated discussion, but I pushed it aside for now, knowing we’d have to address it later.
Yet, on my side, I caught Dima scribbling in his notebook.
What a crazy day.
Lei let go of my hand and turned to Chloe. “And now for your gift.”
Oh, God. What did he get her?
Chapter twenty-four
The Remaining Gifts
Moni
Now it was time for Chloe’s gift, but it was hard to not think about Lei’s possibility of violence on the South.
Forget about it. I’ll deal with it later.
“I hope you like this, Chloe.” Lei reached into his back pocket and handed her a sleek black envelope.
She was already grinning. “I don’t even know what this is, but I like it.”
Lei smiled, clearly enjoying the moment.
Jo got closer along with TT and me.
Chloe carefully opened the envelope and then her eyes went wide. “A credit card!”
What?
I frowned.
She squealed in delight and held it up for all of us to see. “I’ve always wanted one.”
Jo and I exchanged glances.
Chloe needed a credit card like she needed another mini skirt.
“Ummm. . .” I leaned in to check it out and my heart skipped a beat when I saw what it was—an Amex Centurion black card.
The kind with no limit.
The kind that could buy anything.
I shook my head. “Okay. So. . .I’m going to have to put my foot down on this one.”
Lei winked at me. “I’ll be handling the bill.”
Chloe giggled, practically bouncing on her toes. “Somebody show me the mall right now! Like where is it?”
“I’m sorry, but no.” I tried to keep my voice calm. “I appreciate the offer, Lei, but she doesn’t need a high-end credit card.”
I reached out to take it back, but Chloe stepped away, moving closer to Lei as if he was now her new protector.
I scowled.
“Moni, why are you hating on my gift?” Chloe pointed at the car. “You didn’t say anything about Jo’s car and now you’re all focused on my credit card.”
“Because Jo will use the car to go to work in the South and even take you to school.”
Jo murmured from the side, “She can’t get in my car, but TT can.”
I ignored that and caught a glance from Chen directed at Lei. It was subtle, but there was something there—an acknowledgment, a concern. The mention of Jo going to the South had set Chen off and I could feel the tension building again.
Yeah. They’re going to do some bullshit to the South, but what?
I sighed and put my focus back on Chloe, who was clutching that black card like it was the key to her freedom.
I put my open hand in front of me. “Give it to me.”
Chloe inched back. “Come on, Moni. This is like. . .the East’s tradition, and I’m not trying to be disrespectful.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Perhaps, we can come to a simple compromise.” Lei gave me a smile. “Moni, you can provide us with Chloe’s monthly spending limit. Then, she can keep the card and you feel comfortable.”
Chloe exhaled loudly. “But Moni’s going to be cheap as hell.”
I shot her an annoyed look. “No, I’m not. I like that compromise. First, you don’t even pull that card out unless I know and most of the time you keep it in the house. And as far as the limit, let’s say $1,000 a month. That’s more than fair.”
Lei frowned, clearly unimpressed. “That’s nothing.”
Chloe’s eyes widened and she nervously giggled, clearly caught between wanting to please me and not wanting to lose out on Lei’s generosity. “I’m with Lei then. . . sure. . .that’s nothing.”
Jo crossed her arms over her chest. “How are you going to say that’s nothing, when I bet you don’t even have a dollar on you.”
"Shut up, Jo.” Chloe glanced at Lei. “What do you think is good?”
Lei considered that and then responded, “$10,000 a month makes sense to me for maybe the movies with her friends, clothes, a computer—”