Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“I’ve kept you safe too—”
“Of course you have. I’m just saying that if anyone in the East even dreamed about hitting me, they would wake up to find a crowd of Four Aces in their bedroom ready to beat their ass.”
“Where are you? I’m coming over to talk to you right now—”
“No, you’re not because I will see you tomorrow—”
“I want to see you now and make sure you’re okay.”
“So. . .what you’re saying to me, Marcy, is that you don’t trust me? I’m a liar?”
I knew that would make him go silent.
For a moment, the other end of the line was as quiet as a grave.
Then, I heard him take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, MoMo. I don’t trust the Four Aces.”
“I’ve gathered that, but if Banks can calm down after talking to me and start planning a damn cook out, then you must see that everything is fine.”
“I worry about you.”
I grinned. “I worry about you too.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not sure about that. From what I’ve learned you’re apparently the leader of a gang called Rowe Street Mob—”
“We’re not talking about me—”
“We should. Banks and you have some nerve talking about my needing to be careful. Meanwhile, you both are running a whole illegal operation—”
“Not all of it is illegal and I’m making plans to get us legitimate. It will just be some years—”
“Hopefully, you all don’t get yourselves killed while it’s happening—”
“My plan is airtight.”
“What is it?”
“Very smart, MoMo. You think the topic is on me? It is not.”
“I do want to know your plan eventually. Do you know why, Marcy?”
“Why?”
“Because you always put so much weight on your shoulders to protect everyone around you and most of the time you forget that you need the same protection.”
“You want to come over here and protect me?” His voice went to that flirtatious tone. “Come on. I’ll send a car to the East. Tell your Mountain Master to open the gates.”
“The gates are open.”
“No. They closed after Leo left and your little press conference finished. Believe me. I checked.”
I frowned. “You and Banks would be surprised that I can actually handle myself.”
“I know you can, but that doesn’t mean I can just stop worrying about you.”
“I’m safe.”
“I have three luxury condo buildings in the South.”
“O-kay.”
“Pick one, and I can move your sisters and you into a huge condo by the end of the day. No rent and all of them are already furnished. Let me send someone to pick you up—”
“I have a home now—”
“You have a deal with the devil. I’ve known Lei longer than you. When Chanel was alive, he stalked her.”
I tensed.
“He used to stand outside of her bedroom window every fucking night, even after she was married.”
“Did she tell him to stop?”
“That’s not the point.”
“According to Lei’s father, Leo, Chanel wanted to keep her power over him—”
“Now we’re blaming the victim—”
“Do you really think she was a victim in that situation?” I raised my eyebrows. “And I’m really asking because. . .I only know the East’s side in this situation. What are your thoughts?”
Marcy sighed. “No. I don’t think Chanel was a victim, but I still think Lei was a fucking psychotic creep for stalking her and let’s not forget the fact that he kept her body and did dirty things to it.”
“He didn’t do anything to her body—”
“That’s what he told you—”
“I know Lei well enough to know that he wouldn’t.”
“You just fucking met him. Did he tell you that he has a harem?”
“Marcy, I met the harem—”
“Pick any condo from my buildings—”
“I already have a house—”
“Because you’re his Mountain Mistress? Speaking of that, he overstepped and violated all Syndicate rules—”
“Marcy. . .please. . .just chill a little bit.”
“MoMo.”
“Please.”
He lowered his voice. “You know how I feel about you. . .I stopped dating you. . .I. . .left you alone because. . .”
I blinked.
“I left you alone because. . .I didn’t think I was good enough for you.”
I parted my lips.
“You were heading off to college on scholarship. I was a fucking high school dropout thug on Rowe Street, selling dope to addicts and trying to figure out a way to get my crew off the corners. You were too good for me.”
Warmth hit my heart. “Marcy. . .”
“I didn’t leave you alone so you could. . .”
Fuck.
Marcy continued, “You wasn’t supposed to end up with anybody like Lei. Another thug. A fucking killer. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, but—”
“A banker.”
“What?”
“A banker or lawyer. You were supposed to be with a man that wore a suit to work and carried a fucking brief case.”
I shrugged. “Lei wears suits.”
“You think this is funny?”
“No. . .I’m just saying. . .” I picked up the phone from the window sill. “Marcy. . .I love Lei. It is what it is whether you approve or not.”