4. Between Rage and Reason
Chapter four
Between Rage and Reason
Lei
TT clung to me, light as a feather in my hold.
Her small arms wrapped around my neck her breath was warm against my collarbone as her head rested on my shoulder.
I’d decided to carry her away because she needed to keep her eyes closed. TT didn’t need to see all the bodies on the ceiling.
Yet, while TT was light, everything else was heavily pressing down on me—fear, guilt, and responsibility.
I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my emotions in check.
Moni was out there with my father and I had no idea what he had planned for her.
He was always two steps ahead. Always pulling strings I couldn’t even see.
And Moni… she didn’t deserve any of this.
I should’ve stopped him. I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve. . .
I clenched my teeth and pushed down the panic threatening to consume me.
“Lei,” TT broke the silence. “I’ve been thinking about something weird.”
“Yeah?” I adjusted my grip on her, listening, even though my mind kept drifting back to Moni.
“There’s this pastor, R.C. Richards. He’s old now and retired but he’s always been real vocal about the Crownsville treasure stuff.”
“Okay?” I blinked. “What about him?”
“Every time someone gets close to finding some new clue to the treasure or talks about it; he comes out of retirement and does these viral sermons at his family mega church. He always paints this picture of how Crownsville was no good place and that it was more like Babylon.”
“He was alive then?”
“He said he was a kid during that time. He’s in his mid-seventies now.”
“And he seems very interested in keeping the view negative on Crownsville?”
“Yes. Says it was full of sinners and he acts like it’s his personal crusade to get the record straight.”
“How did you find out about him?”
“I’m always searching out everything that deals with Crownsville and he always came up.”
I frowned. “But what made you think about him now?”
“His son and family are big on White Christian Nationalism in Paradise City. But the thing is. . .the Bandit used Bible verses on the map. I don’t know. . .It just feels like that’s important.”
I considered it for a second, my mind torn between this strange map puzzle and my desperation to get Moni back.
TT spoke, “Maybe, it’s nothing.”
“You’re smart. If you think it could be something, then you’re probably right.”
She went silent.
“Anyway. . .I was taught that any little odd coincidence tends to be the biggest clue of all.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. And. . .” I got us to the stairs and we began to descend. “If you want to look into that possible pastor connection with Crownsville, I’ll make it happen.”
“Yeah?”
“Plus, I can get you a team of researchers or even go with you to talk to this pastor. Whatever you need, we’ll do it. Moni will just need to approve everything.”
Pure joy hit her tone. “Thanks, Lei.”
“Thanks for helping me not completely lose it upstairs.”
At this, TT squeezed me tighter giving me this reassuring warmth that I didn’t even know I needed. And for the briefest of moments, I felt a lot of tension ease up within me.
Then, she whispered. “Moni says that family takes care of each other.”
“Always,” I replied. But the stark reality of Moni's absence gnawed at the edges of my fragile peace.
Regardless, a lot of fucked up things had happened tonight, but at least a strange, sweet partnership was forming between TT and me.
More and more, I was starting to understand that TT was so much like Moni—strong, smarter than anyone gave her credit for and capable of seeing things most would miss.
I wanted to protect her, to protect them all, but I wasn’t sure how I could protect anyone if I couldn’t even keep Moni safe.
The bottom of the stairs loomed ahead and that’s when I saw them.
Fuck. I thought I had more time before I had to tell everyone.
Rowe Street Mob stood right at the bottom.
Banks was there, the ever-present toothpick in his mouth but now there was a machete hooked to his belt.
Marcelo stood beside him, glaring at me with murderous intent. His right hand twitched near his gun.
Gunner, for whatever reason, had his shirt off. In each hand, he gripped a gun and his face declared that he was more than ready to shoot.
Einstein, of course, was studying me with those sharp eyes, clearly dissecting every movement I made.
And then there were Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi on my right, standing with Chloe and Jo.
Goddamn it.
Chloe's eyes glistened with unshed tears and her lips quivered.
Meanwhile, Jo's brows were furrowed and her lips set in a thin line.
And right behind them all, Dima stood at the back with dried blood stains on his shirt.
Rose wasn’t there.
Dima had probably made sure she was safe before coming to deal with me.
Duck had clearly gotten the monks away from the carousel.
Here we fucking go.
It wasn’t that I didn’t have the answers to their questions, it was that I didn’t feel like dealing with it all.
I just wanted Moni back and safe with me.
But her sisters and cousins were important. Additionally, I could see all over their faces that they would not leave me alone until they knew everything.
I took another deep breath and braced myself.
Life had a way of piling things on when one least expected it.
Just when I thought I could manage, it hit me harder.
I was the Mountain Master and in these times I felt that title even more. Because in these tough times it felt like trying to climb a mountain with rocks tied to my ankles, no matter how light the actual load was.
I gazed at TT. “You can open your eyes now.”
She raised her head and blinked them open.
For some reason, that made me calmer.
Alright. Let’s deal with this.
The second I hit the middle of the stairs, I stopped, carefully put TT down and then I squared my shoulders, ready for whatever storm was coming.
Dima was the first to speak. His voice was low and controlled which told me that he was anything but in control right now. “Where is Leo? That’s all I want to know. Nothing else.”
“I don’t know right now but he took Moni.”
A collective gasp rose and then the ripple effect was immediate.
Banks exploded, yelling something incoherent at me.
Marcelo actually took out his gun, put it at his side and began yelling with Banks.
Shockingly, Gunner holstered his weapons yet turned his expression cold.
Einstein’s eyes darkened, though he remained silent, calculating.
Okay. Lots of cursing, but no fight just yet.
While Banks and Marcelo continued to scream at me, I turned to my right.
Tears spilled over Chloe’s cheeks.
Jo closed her eyes, clearly struggling to hold it together.
Fierce as always, Aunt Min pulled out a sword I didn’t even know she had while Aunt Suzi scowled at me. Her disappointment radiated off her small body in waves.
Duck entered with a few of our men.
Soon, my aunts were yelling along with Banks and Marcelo.
I barely registered any of them.
All I could think about was Moni and try to guess what fucked up plans my father could have for her.
Then, I saw it.
Out of the corner of my eye, TT raised her hand.
No one else noticed at first, but I did.
I raised my voice. “Everyone shut the fuck up!”
TT got on a higher step as if hoping to make herself taller and appear more like an adult.
I had no idea what she was going to say as I gazed down at her.
Her voice came out low. “I know I’m just a kid and none of you probably want to listen to me but I said goodbye to Moni tonight.”
TT glanced at Chloe and Jo. “She wants us to stay with Lei in the Palace tonight and not worry about her. She also told me everything will be okay and I believe it. I know that she’s coming back tomorrow.”
Jo opened her eyes. “But how do you know that?”
TT gave her a sad smile. “Leo said so and Moni did too.”
“That don’t mean shit, TT.” Jo shrugged. “Dude killed a cat for no reason tonight. I don’t want my sister around him.”
Aunt Min spoke. “Monique is too important to my brother for him to kill her this evening.”
Aunt Suzi nodded. “And he wants to die only by Lei’s hands. Therefore, he has plans, and I believe Monique will be back with us tomorrow night.”
Aunt Min pointed at me. “I just think that when you and her realized Leo was here, you should have told all of us—”
“Moni figured it out first and rushed off.” I shrugged. “Without thinking, I came after her and didn’t realize he was here until I saw Uncle Song’s monks at the door—”
“Then, you should have grabbed us.” Aunt Min scowled. “Not run up—”
“He was with TT. Sorry if we didn’t stand around thinking of all the best possible ways to handle it—”
“Don’t get that tone with me! He’s killed my men and—”
“Men that did a piss poor job of protecting TT.” I sneered. “Men that didn’t even get a chance to signal to us that he was on the property. Men that are now dead and bound to the ceiling upstairs.”
A tear streamed down Aunt Min’s cheek.
Banks took a step forward. “How the fuck did Leo even get around here without anyone knowing? I thought the East was about that life—”
“There must be secret passageways around here.” Einstein scanned the walls. “My understanding was that he designed the East. Someone like him would have secret ways to get in and out that even his family wouldn’t know about.”
TT bobbed her head. “There’s a secret passageway in my closet. That’s how they left.”
I caught Dima frowning as he jotted things down in his notebook.
TT continued. “Moni would be upset if you all started fighting. And. . .she would be disappointed if anyone disrespected Lei when he’s already going through enough.”
The tension in the space didn’t dissipate but it shifted.
Banks still looked furious. “I love you, TT, but I’m taking you, Chloe, and Jo back to the South. This shit is getting out of hand.”
“Hold up now.” Jo frowned, stepping forward. “I may not be a fan of the East right now, but if Moni wanted us here, then that’s where we’ll be.”
I finally found my voice. “You’re all welcome to stay in the Palace tonight. That means an open invitation to Rowe Street Mob. The girls should be comfortable and with family.”
Banks' eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up while Marcelo's mouth dropped open.
Even Einstein’s expression softened with understanding.
Yeah. That’s right. I’ll be nice while Moni is gone.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “What are you all going to do?”
Banks nodded. “Of course I’m staying with my cousins. Mom will want to stay too.”
“We’ve got plenty of room.” I put my gaze on Marcelo. “And you?”
Marcelo glanced at Einstein, who gave him a small nod.
Marcelo turned back to me. “We’ll stay.”
“There we go.” I gestured at Duck. “Get the pilots ready so we can start helicoptering everyone over.”
Nodding, he pulled out his phone and left the space.
Banks grumbled, clearly not happy with the decision but reluctantly accepting it. “That’s good and all but how the fuck are we getting Moni back tonight ?”
“No one is doing anything tonight.” I raised a hand, halting Banks' next outburst. “She’s with my father so we cannot risk a confrontation with him. That would only put her at risk. I can’t do that. We’ll have to wait to get her back tomorrow at the battle.”
“Do you hear yourself?” Banks’s voice got shaky. “That’s a whole night Moni would be with a psychopath.”
Chloe sobbed.
“Making rash decisions won't help Moni.” I lowered my hand. “We need to calm down, think rationally and then decide our next move and that is getting Chloe, Jo, and TT in their rooms and safe.”
TT's voice piped up again. “Uncle Leo said he won’t hurt Moni.”
Banks snapped at her. “He’s not your uncle!”
TT looked down at her hands and my rage rose.
“Calm down, Banks.” I sneered at him. “Taking anything out on TT is only going to get you and me fighting.”
“This motherfucker.” Still, Banks let out a long breath and looked at her. “Sorry, TT. You know I wasn’t trying to be mean to you. I’m just pissed about the situation.”
TT nodded, but still didn’t look up. “I know.”
Duck returned. “The helicopters will be ready to start transporting everyone in five minutes.”
Banks put his view on Duck. “Where the fuck was you when this shit went down?”
Duck didn’t appear the least bit pleased with Banks speaking to him. “I was at the same place you were, doing the Electric Slide—”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t supposed to be on guard. Maybe, if you were doing your job—”
“Don’t think you can come to the East and tell me anything .”
“My cousin should have been safe here!” Banks jabbed a finger at the air and then put his view back on me. “If you are going to make her the Mountain Mistress then treat her like that and get more men on her. I had men on her and you fucking killed them on Mount Utopia. If they were here, instead of there. . .things would have been—”
“What?” I leaned my head to the side. “Those shitty guys you sent—the ones I broke apart in minutes—what exactly were they supposed to do to my father?”
“They could have helped!”
“They couldn’t help themselves from me. So then why would you even think for one minute that they could have done anything, but die tonight?”
“Like I already said before, Moni shouldn’t be here in the East—”
“Shut the fuck up, take your people outside and wait for the helicopters before I decide to take out all my rage on you, and we have more bloodshed on this property tonight.”
“Eh,” Banks grabbed the machete and began to head my way. “Who are you talking to like that?”
I went down two steps. “Come here so you can hear me better—”
“Lei, please don’t fight my cousin.” TT spoke and I froze.
Marcelo and Gunner blocked Banks.
“That’s enough.” Dima stepped forward. His voice was steady and he was calm and measured—far too calm actually for someone with his shirt still splattered in dried blood.
However, that calmness set him apart from the storm of emotions swirling around all of us, and I knew immediately that whatever he said next would hold weight.
“Everyone needs to stop.” Dima’s voice was quiet but it carried an authority that demanded attention.
The room silenced in an instant, even Banks put the machete up.
He locked eyes with me, as if trying to gauge whether I could handle what he was about to say. “This isn’t a situation that can be solved with fighting or rage tonight. Leo is counting on that, counting on us to act out of fear, to be reckless. That’s his game and we can’t play it. Not when Moni is with him.”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe.
Dima was right, but it didn’t stop the fear gnawing at me. But I had to stay grounded, had to be smart, for her.
“And unfortunately, Lei is right.” Dima put his small notebook back in his pocket. “We wait until tomorrow. Not out of fear but out of strategy.”
Banks frowned at Dima. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Leo has made his move. Tomorrow night, everything comes to a head with the battle. That’s our advantage.”
“Advantage?” Banks spat the word out like it tasted bitter. “How the fuck is it an advantage when Moni is with him?”
Dima didn’t flinch. “Because Leo is the type of person that wants you all riled up. If we are, then he can always control the situation.”
I nodded. “That’s correct.”
“But if we wait. . .if we calculate every step, we may take the control from him.” Dima watched me. “Are you ready to fight him tomorrow night?”
“I’m ready.”
“But are you really?” Dima studied me. “You look high, exhausted, and stressed. We need you at optimal performance for this battle so that we can finally end this.”
Duck’s phone rang.
He pulled it out and checked the screen. “The helicopters are ready. Rowe Street Mob can go first.”
Banks shook his head. “My cousins and I remain together.”
“Fine.” Duck put up his phone. “Then, get them and go to the Palace together.”
Banks looked ready to argue further but then TT began going down the steps.
“Come on, Banks, Chloe, Jo, Marcy.” She got to the first level, maneuvered through the crowd and then took Banks hand as if knowing that to calm him would be to get everyone else in line.
Banks sighed and looked down at her.
She was too small, too innocent to bear witness to more fighting and I ga ve him credit for recognizing that.
Thank you, TT.
“Alright,” Banks grumbled. “But, Lei, we need to talk more at the Palace.”
“Lei, needs his rest.” Duck cut in smoothly, not allowing Banks to ignite another volley of arguments. “Once everyone gets to their rooms, get some rest. If you require extra service, toiletries, night tea, a thicker blanket, or anything else pick up the phone and press the button with a blue S on it, for services. Someone will arrive at your door and knock to help. But as far as anymore conversation with Lei, connect with Chen tomorrow to make an appointment.”
Duck's authoritative tone echoed around the room, stifling any further rebuttals.
Banks' steely gaze met mine for a moment. “I got it but make sure to put me down for lunch tomorrow so we can chat.”
I did my best to stay calm. “We’ll see if I’m available.”
Banks definitely appeared like he wanted to say something else, but TT tugged at his arm.
To my surprise, Jo got to his other side. “Hey, man. Let’s just get some sleep and figure this out in the morning. If Moni said she will be fine then I trust that.”
Aunt Suzi held Chloe’s hand. “I’m going with the girls to make sure that they get the proper rooms and have more security.”
I nodded. “Make sure that they’re on my floor and have the best Palace guards. Nothing can happen to them.”
Aunt Min put up her sword. “We will take care of them, Lei. Just. . .get some rest this evening. In the morning, you and I will spar to get ready for Leo.”
I blinked. “You and I?”
“I’m the only one that always beats him. You might as well learn my tricks now that. . .” She looked away. “Now that even I want him dead.”
I nodded.
Everyone began to head out.
Duck departed with everyone else, clearly making sure everything went well.
I carefully put my feet down on the last step, turning to face Dima, who remained behind after everyone had left the room.
Fuck. I have to talk to him. But. . .what can I say?