Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
This was the tricky part. West had been adamant that he needed to answer only five questions, then leave. The longer he remained on the stage, the harder it became to keep him safe. They had identified many of the assassins, but West was sure they’d not gotten all of them. By remaining out in the open on a stage, Jin was making himself an easy target.
The first two questions were about the financial future of the kingdom, rising threats, and what steps were being done to mitigate those threats. He’d expected that and had practiced several answers with the finance minister. The third question was about the recent aggressive stance China had taken toward Gaoxing. Jin offered reassurances that the kingdom was prepared and lines of communication remained open to settle matters peacefully.
The next was about the emperor, and for the first time, he felt less steady. He’d discussed answers with the press secretary, their media specialists, and his brother, but nothing felt right.
Jin swallowed hard as he stared at the microphones in front of him on the podium. “The emperor is not well.” He paused again and gave a little smile to mock himself. “That you knew, but I think it’s something I needed to say out loud. To finally face it, not as the crown prince of Gaoxing but as his son. My father is not well.” He blinked against the sudden burn of tears. “The man I’ve known as my father my entire life is stout and powerful. He has lived for his kingdom and his two children, so it has been hard to fathom that the man lying in the hospital bed is the same person I grew up with. But even now, from that hospital bed, he fights for his people, and he fights for his sons. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for his good health. In this darkness, we have also been given an opportunity to help our neighbors. The emperor’s health struggles are a reminder to please donate blood whenever you can and to sign up to be an organ donor. The skilled doctors and nurses around Gaoxing need our help to save lives. Do this small thing to help them.”
The people in front of him were solemn, and Jin took a step back from the podium to bow to them. This was a good time to make his escape. They had more questions for him, but it was better to end on a note of them thinking about their emperor. Plus, he wasn’t sure that he could get more words out of his already tight throat.
As he was preparing to straighten, the chatter in his ear exploded to almost deafening levels, and his entire body froze.
“New shooter! New shooter!”
“Where?”
“Two o’clock!”
“I don’t have eyes! Who’s got eyes?”
“Where? I still don’t see him!”
“Building across the street. Third story.”
“I got nothing!”
“I’m moving!”
“Someone cover Jin now!”
Jin’s heart was pounding so hard, he was sure that he was about to join his father in the hospital from a heart attack. Assuming the assassin didn’t get him first.
But he had to stand. He couldn’t remain bowed low. People would wonder. They would realize something was wrong. They’d panic and get hurt.
Clenching his teeth and balling his fists at his sides, Jin slowly straightened, praying that his companions would intercept the assassin in time. He trusted them. He trusted them with his life.
Just as he straightened, there was a blur of dark clothing in front of him while someone jerked him to his left. Something slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs while he was aware of a gasp behind him.
He blinked and looked up to find West standing in front of him, arms wrapped around him so fucking tight he couldn’t draw in a full breath. West was using his own body as a shield, putting himself between Jin and the shooter.
“No,” he forced out past the lump in his throat and tears fought to slip free. There was more shouting in the earpiece, but it was just noise now. He couldn’t make out a single word of it. There was only West holding him, placing his life in danger for him.
One chilled hand cupped his cheek and West smiled at him as if he wasn’t expecting to die at any moment. “Sshh, baby. I’ve got you. My Long Wei.”
“Don’t die,” was all Jin could force out as he let West tuck his head under his chin. “Please don’t die.”
Jin wasn’t sure how long they stood there in silence in front of the massive crowd. It felt as though hours had ticked by when it could have been only seconds. His throat and chest hurt. Tensed muscles strained, waiting for the impact of the bullet to tear through West’s body.
“We got him,” someone declared at last. Jin wasn’t sure who’d spoken. There was more after that, but his body trembled so badly he could barely keep standing.