19. Very, Very Pale Blue
I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean we have a problem?”
Chen took a deep breath and hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Monique has been writing things all morning—”
“Writing what?”
“I don't know—”
“But she is still there?” My nerves flared. “Right?”
“Yes. She's there, but—”
“What?”
“So. . .they think that she may be wearing white, but—”
“White?”
Chen held up one hand. “But I believe that this dress could be a very, very pale blue because I made sure that all the white clothes were taken out of the tent.”
I spoke through gritted teeth, “A pale blue?”
“Yes, a pale blue,” Chen replied, his tone hesitant yet firm.
What the fuck, Monique? I thought we discussed this.
I looked back out the window. “For her sake, I hope it's pale blue.”
“What does that mean, Lei?”
“It means I want her in blue and there's no compromise on that.”
Duck snorted.
I snapped my view to him. “Is something funny, cousin?”
He opened his eyes. “You can't Mountain Master a woman. They have this annoying thing called a brain which gives them the power to think for themselves.”
I bristled at his comments. “I'm aware of Monique's brain but her and I had an agreement.”
“And then you rushed off to focus on Chanel.”
I hated how Duck's words hit me square in my chest.
Chen shifted uneasily in his seat.
Hu opened his eyes and sat up.
Duck watched me. “You want me to step aside but then you keep fucking up.”
I rubbed my forehead. “You don't think. . .she understood why I had to leave?”
Duck yawned. “We talked about this yesterday, Lei.”
“And I got her a present.” I held out my hands. “Plus, I've planned this surprise for today.”
Duck shrugged. “If she's wearing white then yesterday’s present wasn't enough.”
“Let’s not forget.” Chen took a deep breath. “The dress could be a very, very pale blue.”
Mount Utopia came into view.
A sense of urgency knotted in my stomach.
The mountain, with its imposing presence, always had a way of making everything else seem insignificant. But right now, every little detail felt amplified, each one a piece in the intricate puzzle that was Monique's presence in my life.
Hurry up and get us there.
“Wait a minute.” Hu intently peered through the window and broke his silence. “Hey, do you all see that?”
“See what?”
Hu's tone was urgent. “Look at the bottom of the mountain.”
I leaned forward, trying to see what had caught his attention. Far below, at the base of the mountain, several dots of green were scattered in a pattern that seemed too deliberate to be a coincidence.
“Damn it.” I sneered. “That's all I fucking need right now.”
Chen squinted. “Rowe Street Mob vehicles. Our men said that Marcelo has been slowly surrounding the area with his people all morning.”
Duck shook his head. “Banks hasn't heard from Monique and his men for over two days. They're probably going to start shit soon.”
Irritation surged through me.
Hu eyed me. “What do we do?”
Duck frowned. “Kill everyone except Banks, since that's Monique's cousin.”
Chen shook his head. “If I remember correctly, she has more than one cousin with Rowe Street Mob.”
“Then, let's figure out who to not shoot and then go to war with the rest of the South.”
Chen scowled at him. “You think we have the time and energy to now add a war to the already rising mountain of problems before us?”
Duck shrugged. “After yesterday's huge waste of time, I just want to shoot several people.”
Chen began to speak of potential dangers and strategies to deal with Rowe Street Mob, but my focus remained elsewhere.
Why is she wearing white? I gave her a gift.
Monique’s choice for that color overshadowed everything else.
I stared down at my hands, needing some answer.
This is bullshit. At some point. . .I should get an advisor to help me with Monique.
I had no idea what I was doing. When it came to men, I could just slap and kick them around. Once that happened, they did exactly what I wanted.
But when I had to deal with women. . .
“Lei!” Chen grabbed my attention.
I looked up. “What?”
“We need to consider our approach with Marcelo and Banks. This could escalate into a full-blown war right on our doorstep.”
“We'll deal with them.” My heart pounded. “But for now, I need to know why Monique is wearing white.”
“Oh my God.” Duck shook his head again.
“Hold on.” Chen frowned. “The dress could be a very, very pale blue.”
Duck snorted. “Saying that over and over, Chen, won't manifest that reality.”
Chen raised one finger. “You would be surprised what we can manifest from saying it over and over.”
Duck leaned back. “The dress is white and Lei is going to do something stupid and I'm not going to get any sleep today because of it.”
I shot him a sharp look. “Careful.”
Hu spoke, “Maybe, we need a special position within our inner circle to assist Lei with better dealing with Monique. Like. . .a dating coach.”
Duck chuckled.
I pointed to Hu. “There we go. I was just thinking that. This is a good idea.”
Duck waved it away. “You would need to listen to the person and we all know that you will not do that.”
“Hey. I would listen.” Monique's gorgeous face flashed in my mind. “For her. . .I would listen to somebody but they would have to know what they are talking about.”
“What about Ming Yui?” Hu asked. “She is Lei's Chief Consort. This could be a good job for her.”
Duck smirked. “You think the leader of Lei's harem will want to show Lei how to basically replace her? Not going to happen.”
“That's correct. Ming Yui would be a horrible choice.” Chen tapped his leg. “Perhaps, one of our aunts.”
I groaned. “Hell no.”
Chen held his hands out. “Older women would be able to provide an insurmountable amount of insight.”
Duck grinned. “Father always said Aunt Min used to have a long line of men on leashes and she knew exactly how to keep them in check.”
The helicopter descended.
Hu smiled. “I heard Aunt Suzi was quite the dominatrix in her prime, even has a secret sex dungeon under her house.”
What?!
Horror hit me as an image of Aunt Suzi—adorned in silver studded leather and gripping a whip—hit me.
No. No. No.
Duck appeared close to vomiting.
Meanwhile, Chen veered back as if he has just been slapped. “What is wrong with you, Hu?”
He widened his eyes. “I'm just saying what I heard.”
Chen pointed at him. “You are never to say that again.”
“But it's what I heard—”
“Unhear that and then never let that leave your mouth again when I am in your space.”
Hu shrugged. “My vote is still for Aunt Suzi.”
“You know what? Now that Hu said that.” Duck held his head with both hands. “I always thought Aunt Suzi loved whipping us as kids. She always whistled when she grabbed the paddle—”
“Eh!” I waved my hands.
“Enough!” Chen smoothed down his jacket. “We have veered dangerously off the proper path.”
Bile rose in my throat. “I agree, and by the way, we are not involving our aunts in helping me romance Monique. Secret sex dungeon or not.”
“Hmmm.” Chen glanced at me. “It might be best if we find a woman outside of Four Aces but within the Diamond Syndicate. This way the person can provide guidance in matters of the heart, but she still understands our way of life.”
“Okay.” I bobbed my head. “But. . .she can't be connected to Killer Crows. It would be. . .odd.”
Duck nodded. “And no way the woman comes from Rowe Street Mob. We’ll be ending them soon.”
“That leaves the Flower Mafia.” Hu looked at Chen. “Actually, I heard that Dima's mother was a—”
“No.” I held my hand up. “I don't even want to know what you're going to say.”
“It's not that bad.”
I frowned at him. “It better not be.”
“I was simply going to say that most brag about how she was able to maintain power among men because she is a master in the art of seduction.”
Chen and I exchanged glances.
I could see the wheels turning in Chen's mind, calculating the possibilities and potential benefits of involving someone from the Flower Mafia.
Honestly, it made sense, after all.
They were known for their manipulation skills and ability to charm and seduce their way to get what they wanted. And if there was one thing I needed right now, it was a crash course in wooing Monique.
“Alright,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “Let's reach out to Dima's mother, but . . .I don't want Dima to know the details of what is going on so make sure she agrees to this being a private matter.”
Chen nodded. “I'll make the necessary arrangements to set up a private meeting with her.”
“Mrs. Ivanov is going to teach Lei how to be seductive?” Duck let out a chuckle. “I want to be at these classes.”
I turned back to the window and spotted the top of Mount Utopia.
Here we go.
My eyes were immediately drawn to a group of men clad in blue, their postures rigid and alert. They stood in a protective semi-circle, and at the center of this formation was a figure in a flowing white dress that caught the morning light.
And there you go.
I leaned in closer to the window and frowned. “That is not pale blue.”
Chen cleared his throat. “I think that we have enough problems stacking against us, Lei. Perhaps, you should let me handle Monique.”
“No one handles her, but me.”
Chen sighed. “Actually, it does look blue to me. Doesn't it, Hu?”
“Uh yeah.” Hu muttered. “Very very very pale blue.”
Duck chuckled. “Bullshit.”
“Oh yes.” Chen bobbed his head. “I'm certain of it. Even from here. The palest of blue.”
As we drew closer, the details of that dress became clearer, and anger rose within me.
There she was, Monique, standing amidst my men, looking like a breathtaking vision against the rugged backdrop of the mountain. Her dress, despite Chen's insistence on pale blue, was a pristine white in the bright light and flowing around her like a cascade of purity and defiance.
Oh really?
I took off my seat belt.
The sight was surreal, almost otherworldly. Monique, standing there on my mountain, in a dress that defied the norms I had set, surrounded by my men who looked as if they were guarding a rare and precious treasure.
Duck spoke, “Did you call her yesterday?”
I kept my gaze on her. “I couldn't.”
“Why not?”
“I had her phone.”
I didn't know if it was Chen or Duck, but one of them loudly groaned in annoyance.
“You could have called one of her men and had him hand the phone to her.” Duck sighed. “Women don't like to be ignored and mishandled—”
“I was searching for Chanel—”
“The excuse that you couldn't call because you were searching for your ex's dead body isn't typically a winning one.”
Chen jumped in, “First of all, the dress is very pale blue, but even if it wasn't, Lei has planned an excellent day for her today. Very romantic. I think that should be the focus—”
“She's not entering the East wearing white.” My frown deepened.
“No one would truly see her, but the palace’s staff.”
I shook my head. “It doesn't matter—”
“Perhaps, this was a misunderstanding—”
“Then, I'll make sure to be clear with my words this time.”
The helicopter's blades churned the air into a frenzy as it descended onto the mountaintop. I was already on my feet before it fully touched down, my impatience and urgency overriding all safety and protocol.
“Lei, calm down.” Chen fumbled with his seatbelt. “This is a sensitive—”
“Stay out of it,” I grabbed the door latch and waited for the pilot to shut off the helicopter. “This is between Monique and me.”
I was beyond caring about his or anyone else's opinion at that moment. All that mattered was Monique and that damn white dress.
Once the helicopter shut off, I pushed the door open, and the rush of cold mountain air brushed against my skin.
The deafening noise of the rotors began to fade into the background.
I jumped down.
My shoes hit the ground.
Pissed, I moved away from the helicopter, my every step taking me closer to her.
The men in blue, my trusted men, now stood in formation in front of her.
As I approached, they separated, giving me a clear path.
And there she was, Monique, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took my breath away.
Fuck. I wish she weren’t so damn beautiful. Sometimes it makes me forget what I'm planning to do.
And that dress, whether white or very very pale blue, dazzled under the sunlight and clung to her curves, accentuating her hourglass figure and those thick hips. It had spaghetti straps and a lace bodice that exposed all of her cleavage. Those full, voluptuous breasts were on full display, and pretty close to popping out of the fabric.
Goddamn it.
Lust hummed through me.
I might have thought it was my birthday, if not for the fact that the dress was white. Still, my cock throbbed, not caring about the color.
Did she know what she was doing?
Had she picked this sexy dress just to blow my mind in front of everyone?
Shit.
Whether she did or not, my thoughts spun into a frenzy. My cock began to grow, stiffening with each second.
Calm down. Don't get excited.
Still that greedy length continued to grow.
I didn't know what I wanted to do first; yell about the color of that dress or fuck her in front of everyone.
I stopped in front of Monique, close enough to see the faintest tremble of her lips and breathe in the intoxicating scent of her perfume.
Already, my self-control was beginning to slip away like sand through fingers.
I swallowed. “Good morning.”
She didn't smile or frown. Instead a neutral expression remained on her face as if she were about to do a speech at some business conference. “Good morning, Lei.”
I yearned to kiss her, and it wasn't a subtle, calm longing. It was a fiery, explosive craving that violently ravaged my entire being.
I dove my hands into my pockets, needing to get control of myself.
The world around us, the men watching in silent observation, the helicopter behind me—all of it faded into insignificance.
In that moment, there was only Monique and me.
Unable to help myself, I gazed down at her breasts and licked my lips.
After whenever this is done and I get you alone. . .I'm going to cum all over those chocolate nipples today.
She frowned, surely knowing the nasty thoughts playing out in my mind.
Get it together. Remember. You're mad about the white dress.
I cleared my throat.
She glared at me.
“Monique.” I did my best to not meet her glare with my own angry expression. “Why are you wearing white?”
“Where is my phone?”
I blinked. “What?”
“Where? Is? My phone?”
The line of my jaw twitched. “I asked you a question first.”
“Lei, I don't give a fuck about your question. I want my phone.”
It was petty but I sneered. “You'll get it once you change.”
“I want it now.”
“It isn't here.”
“Then, where is it?”
“I planned a day for us so the phone is there.”
“And you didn't think that I would want my phone now ?”
“No.”
“Because what? You thought I was just sitting on the mountain, twiddling my thumbs and writing poetry about my obedience to you?”
I gritted my teeth. “No. I just didn't want—”
“That was disrespectful.”
It took everything in me to not yell. Not many people could speak to me this way and the ones that could were very skilled in death. I swallowed and then let out a long breath. “I apologize. You're right. I shouldn't have taken your phone.”
“Why did you take it?”
“I didn't want you to call Banks.”
“That's fucked up, Lei.”
“But it's the truth. I lost. . .Chanel. I didn't want to lose you.”
“I didn't get to talk to my sisters.”
“I'm sorry.”
“That's not enough.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then, what can I do to make this up?”
“Call everyone over here.”
I leaned my head to the side. “What?”
She glanced behind me and pointed. “Good. At least they are getting off the helicopter. Come here, Chen!”
I raised my eyebrows. “We don't need Chen.”
“We do.” She pointed in another direction. “Hu! Duck! Please, come here.”
I dropped my hands and held out my palms. “You think they're going to help you?”
She rolled her eyes and raised her hands to the center of her chest. That was when I noticed that she was holding note cards. It must have been twenty of them.
I frowned. “What's that?”
Hu and Duck approached and stepped to my right.
On the left, Chen got to my side. “Good morning, Monique. I would love to answer any—”
“Hello, Deputy Mountain Master.” She nodded at Chen and then gestured to Hu. “And hello, Straw Sandal.”
O-kay. . .what's happening?
While I hadn't remembered giving her a lesson on everyone's positions, it was good that she now knew them.
But still. . .what the fuck was going on?
She nodded at Duck. “And of course, good morning, Red Pole.”
Duck stirred. “Good. . .morning.”
Then, she put her gaze back on me. “And good morning, Mountain Master.”
I quirked my brows. “What is this?”
She straightened her shoulders. “I am respectfully requesting an official Council with you four.”
Shock knocked me off balance. “You're what?”
“I'm respectfully requesting an official Council.”
“Uh.” Chen raised one finger and stepped forward. “Excuse me, Monique. However, I must get clarification. When you so eloquently say Council, are you just using the term or do you understand the ramifications and procedure behind—”
“I am respectfully requesting an official Council right here in this moment to petition for a new role within the Four Aces.”
Chen's reaction was immediate; his eyes widened to the point where his glasses nearly slid down the bridge of his nose. For a moment, he looked like a man who had been told the impossible, his usually composed demeanor replaced by sheer astonishment. His mouth opened and closed, as if words had suddenly become elusive to him.
Next to me, Duck's reaction was more physical. He took a subtle step back, as though the very ground beneath him had shifted. His eyebrows knitted together, creating deep furrows on his forehead, a clear sign of his disbelief. He glanced briefly at me, then back at Monique, as if seeking confirmation that he had heard correctly.
Hu, who was usually the embodiment of stoic calm, let out a low whistle. His hand, which had been firmly gripping his tiger-striped gun, loosened slightly, betraying his shock.
Meanwhile, I ran my fingers through my hair, stunned and unprepared.
What the fuck is going on?