25. The East
Chapter twenty-five
The East
Monique
Lei grabbed a handful of wipes out of the helicopter's first aid kit next to his seat and to my shock he began to clean up my pussy.
Stunned, I opened my mouth.
His movements were deft and focused, as if he were performing a critical mission.
Okay. This is a first.
Meanwhile, I was still reeling from the intense, almost surreal experience we had just shared. The memory of the overwhelming ecstasy lingered in every nerve ending, leaving me in a daze of post-orgasmic bliss. It was a feeling so potent and consuming that I found myself at a loss for words, my usual composure scattered like leaves in the wind.
I watched Lei, the way his hands moved with purpose yet gentleness, and I felt a wave of affection mixed with a bewildering sense of vulnerability.
Once he threw everything away in a small trash bag and put his naughty finger covers up, I returned to my seat.
Holy shit.
I stared at him and wanted to say something, to break the silence.
He smirked. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“What was all that about?”
“What?”
“Earlier.”
Those eyes went dark while desire covered his face. “You mean my Special Council ?”
“I mean your choking and finger fucking me at the same time.”
He slipped his hands down to his thigh and curled around the bulge in his pants. “Did you like the choking?”
I kept my view there. The fabric of his pants was stretched taut over that thick, long length.
I swallowed. “It scared me, but. . .it was. . .intense and. . .felt so good.”
“Hmmm.” He gripped the bulge hard. “And would you like to explore my choking you more?”
Shivering, I lifted my view to him. “Not all the time, but. . .sometimes.”
He quirked his brows. “We need a safe word.”
“We do.”
“Then, we'll think of something.”
Fear and anticipation coursed through my body.
“By the way, the things I said. . .” He let go of his cock and leaned my way. “I was serious about them. You're mine.”
I swallowed. “That's pretty possessive, Lei.”
“It is.”
“We talked about that.”
“We did.”
“You're the Mountain Master but you don't get to own me.”
Lei's gaze grew intense, penetrating through me, and that expression showed raw desire and something deeper, something. . .deadly. “And still you’re mine.”
“I'm a Friend of the Four Aces.”
“You are.”
“But, when I left you alone for these past days, you thought I didn't care about you. I wanted you to understand today that I do.”
“Saying that I'm yours and caring about me are two different things.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.”
That smirk deepened. “Still. . .you're mine.”
I rolled my eyes. “Lei, we also need boundaries.”
He closed the small distance, leaning over the arm of his chair and placing his nose barely an inch from me. His long hair waved around him. “Why put boundaries there, when I'm just going to knock them down?”
“You're insane.”
His voice grew husky. “And you want to be my first? I'm already fucking trying to trap you to me.”
I widened my eyes. “It is possible to fuck someone and then be chill about it.”
He lowered back in his seat. “And you think it's possible for me to be chill when it comes to my having serious emotions for someone I desire?”
My mind went to his having Chanel’s body and even the handcuffs that he had put on my wrists.
“Well. . .no.” I shouldn't have but I laughed. It must have been another aftershock from the delirious orgasm.
Plus, what else could I do now? He had his plans to dominate me, and I would not stop making sure that he stayed in line and gave me proper respect.
This would have to be tabled for another day, especially when I had my personal guard and Dima as my advisor.
What am I going to do with his crazy ass?
The pilot interrupted, his voice filling the air, “We are now approaching the East, Mountain Master.”
I took a deep breath and turned to the window.
Lei spoke behind me. “When you visited Paradise City, did you ever go to the East?”
“Never. I've only seen the West and South.”
“Good. I wanted to be the one to show you, my home.”
The helicopter hummed steadily as we headed to the East of Paradise City. The rhythmic beat of its rotors synced with the pulsating excitement in my heart.
And soon a panoramic view of the city unfolded before me.
Damn.
From this aerial vantage point, the division of Paradise City by color was strikingly apparent, almost as if an artist had taken a brush to the urban landscape.
To the North, a sea of yellow buildings sprawled out like fields of sunflowers under the sun. Most of the structures held golden hues.
I turned my gaze to the West.
Bold and passionate red buildings greeted me, ranging from deep burgundies to bright scarlets.
The helicopter veered a little bit South.
The landscape transformed again to the green that I always knew to be my cousin's part of town. It was a mosaic of emeralds and limes.
Then, the imposing buildings of green gave way to softer, more calming shades of blue where the East City's skyline began to emerge in the distance.
I moved closer to the window. “Wow. So beautiful.”
It was like gazing into a vast ocean, the buildings rippling in different shades of azure, cerulean, and sapphire.
Lei pointed. “This is the entrance.”
From this height, the world seemed different, almost dreamlike, but nothing had prepared me for the sight that greeted us as we approached the heart of the Eastern district.
“Oh my God.”
The gates marking the entrance were these grand towering, majestic dragons. Sculpted in gold and blue they glittered in the sunlight. Their scales were perfectly detailed.
Shimmering sapphires made up the eyes. And their dragons’ bodies coiled around the pillars of the gate, powerful and graceful as if they were guarding the East.
“My father believes in the power of symbols.” Lei sighed. “Although he got along with everyone in the Syndicate, he still had these dragons placed here to send a clear message to them.”
I turned to Lei. “And what was the message?”
“That the East is under the watchful eyes of protectors, powerful and unyielding.”
The helicopter hovered closer, allowing me a better view of them.
Lei's voice grew softer. “When I was a kid, I was always fascinated by dragons—creatures that were fierce, but also wise.”
I listened, utterly captivated by Lei's story and the glimpse it offered into his mind.
“Anyway.” He cleared his throat. “These dragons are also a warning to those who might come with ill intentions. They symbolize that we are always vigilant, always ready to defend what is ours.”
As the helicopter began its descent, the dragons seemed to come alive, their sapphire eyes gleaming with an intensity that was almost lifelike.
I tensed. “That's why they look like they're about to gobble us up.”
“That's why.”
For a brief moment, I imagined them coming to life, breaking free from their stone perches to soar high above the East.
I shook my head. “They really are incredible.”
We flew over the gates.
“Oh wow.” I inched closer to the window, completely awestruck by the scale and beauty of it all.
The buildings within the district were a cascade of different shades of blue, ranging from the palest teal to the deepest navy. It was as if the entire section of the city had been dipped in a spectrum of azure, each hue blending seamlessly into the next.
The sheer size of the area took my breath away. “This is. . .massive. I had no idea that it was bigger than all the other parts of Paradise.”
We descended further, and Lei reached over and held my hand. “I'm loving your reactions.”
“This is insanely cool.”
Below us, the streets were bustling with activity. Even from our lofty vantage point, I could see tiny figures in blue moving about.
There were several markets with colorful turquoise awnings and blueberry stalls. Further away, I spied winding coral alleyways with small houses that had ornate teal rooftops.
Lei gently squeezed my hand. “One day, we'll stroll the streets. There's so much to see and experience.”
“I bet.”
Lei's hand remained firm in mine as we continued to glide over the East.
Nestled amidst the sapphire, cobalt, and teal hues of the city stood a particularly striking building.
It was a marvel of indigo that seemed to capture the very essence of the sky at dusk. These odd lions stood on the roof, while these massive windows stood in the front, revealing the happenings on the inside.
Lei pointed to it. “So as far as the government is concerned, this is one of my family's main businesses.”
I read the huge title on the front.
Zhang's Fortune Cookie Company.
I grinned. “Really?”
“Yep. This was the first business my father used to launder money from weapon sales.”
I could almost make out the busy workers through the large windows.
Lei continued, “They make traditional fortune cookies there, but also special ones—chocolate-covered, with nuts, some even formed from candy.”
“That sounds amazing. Can anyone go there and purchase some?”
“Of course.”
“I'll have to grab some for my little sister, T.T. She would love that.”
“We can do better than that.”
I gazed over my shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“After everything is done, we can take you, your sisters, and especially T.T. on a tour of the company. She can sample anything she wants as much as she wants to.”
“Oh my God. She'll go crazy in there. Chloe too.” I returned to the window. “And thanks. That sounds like fun.”
“I'll make sure Chen sets it up for us.”
The idea of bringing my sisters to this world filled me with excitement. I could already imagine TT's eyes lighting up at the sight of all the sweets.
For some reason, I considered the name of the company and looked back at him. “Zhang? Is that your last name?”
“I didn't tell you my last name when I handcuffed you to me?”
“No. You just kidnapped me.” I grinned. “Is that your last name or not?”
He chuckled. “Yes, that's my last name, but you're saying it a little wrong.”
“Oh.” I eyed him. “How?”
“You're using the z sound, when the Zh in Zhang is similar to the English j. So, you say Zhang almost like Jah-ng in a quick, single syllable.”
I repeated the word how he said. “Zhang.”
“Perfect.”
I thought about his father's first name. “So, I always wanted to ask this.”
“Go ahead.”
“Leo is a Chinese name? I have an Uncle Leo on my mother's side so I thought it was interesting that your father’s name was that too.”
Lei gazed off at the window. “Officially, my father's name is actually Zhang Liangwei.”
I took my time pronouncing it. “Jah-ng Lee-ah-ng Way.”
“Excellent.” Lei's eyes sparkled with approval.
“But then where did Leo come from?”
“It's kind of a Western adaptation. Easy to remember and pronounce.”
For some reason, every time Lei answered one thing I had even more questions. However, he sounded completely happy to break it all down for me.
Smiling, I gazed out of the helicopter window. “And the last name comes first?”
“In our culture, the family name is placed before the given name.”
I looked at him. “Why?”
“It puts importance on family.” Sadness washed over his face. “By placing the family name first, we acknowledge the roots from which we come. It's a constant reminder of our family's history, values, and. . .legacy.”
I squeezed his hand. “What's wrong? Talk to me.”
“Talking about this makes me think that killing my father is. . .dishonoring my family, my legacy. . .even my ancestors. . .”
“He wants you to do it.” I swallowed. “That’s the part you have to focus on.”
His voice went low. “That’s true, but um. . .let's talk about something else.”
“Yes.” I rubbed the inside of his palm and went back to the window. “The East is breathtaking. You're lucky to have grown up here.”
The helicopter gracefully maneuvered over the East.
I spotted the ocean far off in the distance. “You all have a beach?”
“We do.”
“I thought there was only a beach in the South and part of the West.”
“Our beach is a tiny secret. Honestly, outsiders aren't even allowed to come out this far.”
The helicopter continued forward.
“Ah. Here we go.” Lei pointed. “Look there.”
My eyes followed and I was instantly captivated by the sight.
Nestled among lush greenery was a big house standing in serene majesty. It was three levels and must have had at least five bedrooms. The roof's edges curved upwards, and blue tiles adorned the surface. There were ornamental gables and beautifully carved wooden panels that framed the windows and doors.
I nodded. “That place is breathtaking.”
“You like it?”
“Yes. Who wouldn't?”
“That's Lotus Blossom.”
“What?!” My eyes went wide.
Surrounding the house was a huge, stunning garden. At the center of the garden was a pretty pond. Tons of lotus flowers bloomed on the water's surface.
We continued to fly over the property, I could see stone pathways winding through the garden, leading to various corners—a small pavilion, a rock garden, etc.
Unlike the shitty building and neighborhood that we lived in, T.T. would have all types of natural places to run around and breathe in fresh air.
Then, there was that garden.
I put my view back on that.
I'm going to plant so many things. In fact. . .ALL THE THINGS!
Stunned, I shook my head. “That's really Lotus Blossom?”
“It is. You'll get the keys before we leave.”
I remained frozen in shock.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
There was no doubt that once Jo saw that house, she would bring up my possibility of hoeing for it again. I mean. . .if one were to hoe for a house, this was it.
At the very thought, a delirious chuckle left me.
I covered my mouth. “Wow.”
“I'm really loving your reactions.”
“My mind is blown.”
“Oh well if Lotus Blossom blew you away then wait until you see my place.”
The helicopter blades sliced through the air with a rhythmic whoosh, and I pressed my face closer to the small window like a kid outside a candy store, eager for a glimpse of our destination.
My breath caught as soon as the Palace emerged.
Jesus Christ.
The helicopter banked gently, bringing the palace into full view.
Its splendor was undeniable.
I didn't want to say it aloud but the palace looked like it leaped right out of one of the martial arts movies I had seen as a child.
I tried to think of the name.
I just remembered the story dealt with dueling emperors.
Pressure built in my chest as I tried to take it all in.
Actually, it wasn't a palace. . .it was more like a massive complex. A cascade of tiered buildings, each adorned with sky blue and gold and upturned eaves.
A lake stood in front of it. The Palace's reflection on the calm body of water below was so precise, so pristine, that it was hard to tell where the real Palace ended and the mirrored image began.
It was crazy but I almost fucking cried from the beauty.
Lowering a little, the helicopter continued forward and I saw what looked to be a large group of monks in dark blue robes, praying near the palace.
The whir of the helicopter blades became a backdrop to my racing thoughts as Lei spoke, “This is Blue Phoenix.”
“It's like it's straight out of a dream.”
“My father got the idea from one of his favorite movies, Dance of the Phoenix Blade .”
I chuckled.
Yes. That's the movie.
As we got to the back of this massive palace, the helicopter began its gentle descent, gliding towards a helipad nestled near.
I was met with the sight of a line of people wearing sky-blue clothes and white gloves.
Uh. . .who are they?
I counted twenty people—men and women.
The rotors slowed, and the helicopter touched down.
Lei tenderly squeezed my hand. “Ready to go inside?”
I should have been, but I was actually pretty terrified.
“Monique?”
I gulped. “I'm ready.”
“Good.” Lei let go of my hand.
The doors slid open, and a wave of fresh air infused with the scent of flowers swept into the cabin.
Oh shit. This is crazy.
We undid our seat belts and rose.
Here we go.
Lei grabbed my hand and we stepped onto the helipad.
And I swear on everything, as soon as Lei's feet touch the ground, the twenty people bowed and remained bent over like that.
I did my best to look natural like this was everyday shit for me, but. . .
Wow. How the hell did I get here? Is this really happening?
Of course I had seen him in Mountain Master mode but doing it by a massive palace in a huge district of a city was another.
He might as well have been the president.
Lei led the way, guiding us by the bowed people.
This is so crazy. They are really about this Four Aces life.
Excited and freaking out all at the same time, I gazed back at the palace and kept Lei’s pace.
My heart boomed in my ears.
It was so damn overwhelming.
And they want me to be Mountain Mistress?
The potential of a life within these walls was pretty much impossible to take root in my mind. I couldn't see myself calling this home. Nowhere in my life did my living like some queen occur to me.
I mean for god's sake Lotus Blossom was already going to take a lot to get used to.
But this palace? Blue Phoenix? No way.