Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“Monique is nice, but she will never take the place of Chanel—”
“On that you are correct.”
I blinked. “I am?”
“Monique will create a whole new place that is unique to her.”
I frowned.
“When our fight begins, we will bow in respect, and then begin—”
“Or I will pull out my guns and splatter your body with bullets—”
“You would not dare to dishonor me in such a way.” A deadly edge laced his voice. “Be careful, son.”
“You do not get to decide how you die—”
“We are allowed to use techniques from any Wushu style, including but not limited to Tai Chi, Shaolin, and Wing Chun.”
“You are wasting your breath—”
“Throws, joint-locks, and takedowns are permitted, but strikes to a downed opponent are forbidden. Of course. . .the fight ends when one of us dies.”
I swallowed.
“I hope I am the one to die. Since your mother passed, I have sought this death for a long time—”
“Then, just come to me and die—”
“As with anything, you must earn it. I did not simply hand you my throne, and I will not hand you my death. Do you understand?”
“I do.” I nodded. “Now, let me help you understand.”
“And what is that?”
“I will not do this.” I leaned my head to the side. “Remember. I am my father’s son. Psychotic and stubbornly determined.”
“Lei, do not fight me on this.”
“You will die well before eight days, and it will not be after a lavish feast and by a legendary sword. It will be in the middle of a dirty street or in some dingy hotel that you are currently hiding in. And it will not be a mystical blade. It will be bullets. There will be no visuals to give the East—to spawn great tales for your legacy. It will be quiet, uninspiring, and unmemorable.”
“Do not push me, Lei.”
“Or what? You will kill the love of my life?”
“There are others that you care about that could die.”
“You would not touch Duck or Chen—”
“Of course not. They are my blood, but Dima is not. In fact, I already have the perfect wig and nice yellow gown to dress his dead body in.” With that, he hung up.
What? Dima?
I shivered in fear.
You wouldn’t. . .
Thinking about my father’s next moves, I gazed out at the view in front of me.
The sun was slowly casting a warm golden glow upon the town of Glory. Soon it would be setting.
Not Dima. I cannot lose anymore. . .
A small labyrinth of bustling streets sprawled beneath me. The roads—intricately woven like a vibrant tapestry—were alive with a constant stream of vehicles and pedestrians. A melody of car horns, coupled with the laughter and chatter of people, floated up to my ears.
From this luxurious balcony, I was not merely an observer, I felt part of the vibrant energy of Glory.
Yet. . .none of that mattered.
Fuck.
Sighing, I placed Monique’s phone in my pocket, pulled out mine, and dialed Dima.
He answered before the ring could finish. “Have you completed—”
“Triple your security team and add more people to that reporter you’re sleeping with.”
Dima sighed. “The reporter’s name is Rose, and we are doing more than sleeping.”
“Do you understand what I am saying, Dima?”
“I do. I just wrote it down in my notebook.”
“Good. Now write in your notebook that my father is threatening your life.”
“Okay.” He went silent. Scribbling sounded on his end.
I raised my eyebrows. “Dima?”
“Hold on. I am still writing this down.”
I rolled my eyes. “No joking. I need you to take this very seriously.”
“I am. I told you that I made a note.”
I sighed. “Still, he wants to prove a point and he will use you as a way to get me to give him what he wants.”
“And what does Leo want?”
“A dinner party and moonlit battle between him and I.”
“Would I be invited to the party?”
“What? No. He is trying to kill you, Dima. I don’t want you anywhere near this.”
“Who is invited?”
“Why? Are you jealous of the guest list?”
“I am merely trying to understand the underlying reasoning for why Leo would want this party.”
“Oh.” I paused. “He wants my aunts, uncles, and surely all of our men there.”
“Interesting, and will this battle between him and you be documented in some way?”
“He wants a photographer there too.”
“Very interesting.”
“Why?”
“It would be a great legend within the East, and if you win, this will possibly solidify your reign even more.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Instead of your just bringing Leo’s dead body back to the East with no real explanation of what happened, the legend will declare that Lei loved his people so much that when his father grew dark and deranged, he shed blood—”
“I am not fighting him this way, but if I did, his death would not be for the people or the East. It would be for Chanel and Romeo.”
“But it would still appear different to the East, and surely that would bring calm to Leo’s soul.” More scribbling sounded from his side. “Perhaps, Leo feels that one of his items of unfinished business is to leave you in the best, honorable place in the East.”