Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Luka Pavlovic approached slowly, carefully, and spoke just as cautiously. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I want to assure you that you’ll be safe here.” He glanced down at my sleeping monster in my arms, and when he lifted his hand to gently stroke my son’s head, I let him. “Both of you.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I said nothing.
“Come inside,” he spoke quietly so as not to wake A.J. “I’ll show you to your room.”
When I twisted back to Molly, she stayed by Julius, and I uttered, “Let’s go.”
But Molly lowered her face, sounding momentarily ashamed of herself. “I’m not welcome here, Lex.”
“No,” Pav agreed in deathly quiet. “She is not.”
What?
Oh, hell, no. This was not acceptable.
“All right.” I twisted back to Luka and uttered, “I want to thank you for the offer, but we’re leaving.”
Luka’s brows narrowed. “You can’t. I won’t allow it.”
Who the hell did he think he was?
I kept my tone steady. “I’m not one of your minions, Mr. Pavlovic. You can’t tell me what to do. And—” I faced Molly. “—if Molly isn’t welcome, I don’t think I want to be either.”
Julius approached, looking irritated as hell. “Lex, don’t be stupid here.”
I spun on him, incensed. “And you better watch your tone with me, Julius Carter. Don’t forget who welcomed you into her home and put her family at risk for you and yours.” At least he had the grace to look sheepish. I spoke to Molly. “Would Tama take us in?”
Her face brightened. “For sure.” She had already pulled her phone out. “Let me call him.”
Luka looked positively riled. “You’d rather stay with D.M.S. scum than with me?” He turned to Julius and sputtered an unamused, “The fuck, brother?” When Molly put the phone to her ear, Luka rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay. All right.” His brows lowered and his lips thinned. “She can stay.”
My insides uncoiled with relief, and as I held my son in my arms, rocking him gently, I muttered a sincere, “Thank you, Luka.”
“Come in.” He shook his head, turning toward the house and sounding thoroughly annoyed. “And be quick about it.”
As I walked away in my Pikachu slippers, Julius spoke hesitantly. “I’m not pissed at you, Lexi. I’m pissed at him.”
I turned to face him, and as I did, I noticed the weariness in his features. It hadn’t occurred to me until that moment what he must be feeling right now. Our men held themselves so tall it was rare to see them falter. And Julius looked close to falling.
When I spoke, I did it softly. “I want her dead too, honey.”
Pain had molded me into a warrior. Hurt had turned me sharp at the edges. Love had forced the fear out of me.
Ling would die. It was only a matter of time before karma finally caught up with her. And after all she had done to my family, I wanted to watch the whore bleed until her veins ran dry.
***
Ling
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Ling?”
My brother sat at the end of my bed as I walked into my room. He sounded mad. That was unusual. Van was my biggest fan. He thought I hung the fucking stars.
I barely wavered as I passed him, heading into the en suite bathroom. “What’s up your ass?”
After washing my face and undressing, I emerged in my silken pajamas, but the pure hatred Van wore had me pausing midstep.
Weird.
Yep. This was definitely strange.
And when he stood and spoke, it came out a growl. And that growl had all kinds of messed up images running through my head. “I told you not to leave this fucking room, but you come and go as you please, like an entitled toddler. Fuck what your very presence on the streets is doing to your family.”
Oh, yeah. He was pissed.
My beautiful brother was mad at me.
Oh, no. I did not like that. “Van,” I started slowly, a frown marring my delicate brow.
“No,” he snarled, and when I took a step away from him, his face turned expressionless. His tone much the same. “This was a mistake. I thought you were ready, but you’re not.” He took in a deep breath. “Which is why we’ve decided that you’ll no longer be leading The Dragons.” My mouth gaped as he went on. “The vote has been cast. I’m taking over, Ling.”
I blinked over at him, my gut clenching hard with suppressed anger.
Like hell he was.
Holding myself like the queen I was, my face remained void, when I stated, “A mutiny, Van?” A soft laugh shot out of me. “Really?”
But the Van I loved was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Van the douche took his place. “Call it what you will. I’ve already started damage control.” His cold stare held me fast. “I never should have listened to you. But that’s my fault. I trusted you, and I should have known better.”