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)
“What?”
Song frowned. “My son, Duck will be in trouble with Lei.”
“Because he fought Rowe Street Mob?”
“No.” Song shook his head. “Because he lost you.”
“He didn’t lose me. I’m right here.”
“But you will not be here for long.” Song gestured to a large blue Cadillac parked further across the street. “Let us go.”
I tensed. “I don’t want to.”
“You need to go to Mount Utopia. We will take you.”
I tried to see who was in the Cadillac. “Is. . .Leo in there?”
Two of the monks chuckled.
Song frowned. “Leo has better things to do than babysitting you. He must train to fight against his son.”
“That makes sense.”
Song sighed. “Unfortunately for me, babysitting you has become my duty from now on.”
“Oh.” I shivered. “You know. You don’t have to babysit me. I can get a ride. In fact, I could just pull out my phone and grab an Uber. It would be simple—”
“This way.” Song headed off in the direction of the Cadillac.
Shit.
I swallowed, rushed after him, and got to his side. “So. . .you’re taking me to Mount Utopia?”
“I am.”
“And Leo is staying at my apartment still?”
“No. Once your sister came by, we were forced to find a new location.” Song smiled at me. “However, we all enjoyed your Aretha Franklin albums.”
“That was my mother’s collection.”
“Well, Leo made sure to be careful with all of the records.”
We got closer to the Cadillac, and I caught Tupac’s lyrics emanating from the car.
This must be that dude Jo was talking about.
Still trembling, I approached the vehicle, the full impact of what just happened in the lobby sank in, and my knees felt weak.
Yet, I kept on moving.
Song opened the door. “After you, Monique.”
I climbed inside.
The monk in the driver’s seat bobbed his head to Tupac’s Hail Mary.
Alright. This day is going to be just as crazy as yesterday.
Song got into the Cadillac, sat next to me, and shut the door.
I looked out the window, wondering if everyone would make it okay.
And. . .did Marcy ask me if Lei had Chanel’s dead body? Or did I imagine that?
Chapter twenty-seven
Sapphire Summit
Lei
Two decades ago, my dad created Sapphire Summit up on Mount Utopia. It was a long-term camp, sprawled across the summit and accommodating over sixty people.
In the center was a vast square, marked by a monumental statue of him cast in bronze. There, he stood as some egotistical sentinel over the camp. Well-defined paths radiated out from this center, paved with smooth river stones and lined with paper lanterns that would be lit at night.
Each of the sixty tents were grand structures of royal blue canvas stretched over sturdy bamboo frames. At every entrance, gold lines glimmered against the blue fabric. Opulent quilts, sumptuous furs, and silk draperies lay inside the tents.
I can’t believe I’m back here, and. . .to practice to fight my father.
Once we made it to Mount Utopia, it had been a nonstop routine to practice maintaining physical and mental prowess while I fought my father.
Chen took me on a fifteen-minute jog. We jumped rope for several minutes after that. Once done, it was back to strength training—push-ups, squats, planks, and pull-ups.
Finally, Chen allowed me to eat breakfast. Instead of my usual morning meal of oolong tea, shrimp dumplings, and a large bowl of congee topped with black mushrooms and a splash of sesame oil, I ate scrambled tofu on whole grain toast with a banana smoothie.
I sneered the whole time.
Meanwhile, Chen reminded me that I needed a breakfast rich in protein and complex carbohydrates to provide sustained energy throughout my training sessions. And I explained that, while I was getting ready to battle my father. . .I may be beating him up too.
Chen ignored my comment and after breakfast, I worked on flexibility and balance. This meant yoga, leg stretches, and balance drills.
Then, it was all technique practice—shadow boxing and even some bag work.
Now the afternoon had arrived.
Chen guided me along the perimeter of the camp. “Are you ready to fight?”
“I’m excited to punch many.” I munched on a protein bar. “Is Monique here yet?”
“I told you that I would tell you as soon as Duck brought her.”
“They are late.”
We passed the camp’s meditation zone, marked by a ring of ancient, gnarled pines that whispered serenity.
Chen glanced at his watch. “I will check again.”
“Make sure Duck gives you an update.”
“I have been on it, Mountain Master.”
“Meaning?”
“I already have been trying to get in contact with Duck and have not been successful yet—”
“What?” I stopped and glared at him. “Duck has not answered the phone all this time?”
“I already sent men to the hotel. All will be fine.” Chen gestured for me to continue walking and headed off.
“Find out where they are,” I spoke through clenched teeth. “Now.”
“Your training is more important.” Chen pointed to the wide sparring area. It was already crowded with men waiting for me. That massive area was the main reason why my father had started the camp. Here, all Four Aces honed their skills amidst the cloud-kissed peaks.