Chapter 41
I glancedoutside at the beautiful snowstorm keeping me here with him. This forced proximity was something I read in romance novels but never expected to experience. It wasn’t just the storm—it was all the events leading up to this moment.
Did the heavens plan this evening? I couldn’t help but think my mom had something to do with it. Perhaps she was watching over me and guided me to Arrow.
I looked at him, swallowed, and shared my past with him.
Wearing my new yellow shirt and pants, I sit at a table in the Lotus Flower Restaurant, waiting for my mom. She’s in a meeting with Grandpa and the uncles. They’re not my real uncles, but members of The Triad. Mom asked me to address them that way to show respect to the elders. They’re all nice to me because Grandpa is their boss.
I see Calvin sitting at the opposite table, talking with two boys older than him. I only recognize Calvin because his dad works closely with Mom and Grandpa. I don’t know him that well.
A man with a ponytail brings over a plate of dumplings for me. “You can snack on these. Food won’t be served until later.”
“Thank you.” I grab a shrimp dumpling with the chopsticks and pop it into my mouth. The ponytail man also gives Calvin a plate.
None of my school friends know aboutmy family’s ties with The Triad. It’s better that way. My mom is the daughter of a Triad lord, but she’s been out of the crime organization since she married Dad. Mom is now happy working as Dad’s office manager at his dental office.
I don’t like coming to New York, where Grandpa does his business, but today was his restaurant’s grand opening. Mom wants to visit her father and show her support. My dad is at a dental conference, so he can’t make it.
The restaurant workers speak Cantonese as they rush around, ensuring the red tablecloths are perfect with all the plates, cups, chopsticks, and utensils. I can understand Cantonese and Vietnamese because my dad made me go to Vietnamese school. Mom can’t speak it.
I text Dad on my new phone, which I got for my twelfth birthday last week.
Vivian:Miss you, Ba!
Daddy:Ditto.
Daddy:Gotta go, pumpkin. Giving a speech in 10 mins. Be good.
Vivian:Okay. Love you.
Daddy:Love you too.
I can’t wait to return to California. Daddy is taking me fishing at the lake. We found a cool nook, and I caught a bunch of trout and bass last time.
Smiling, I tuck my phone in the back pocket of my pants and look at the restaurant menu. My stomach growls when I see that the ginger lobster is gonna be served.
“Hi, Vivian!”
I glance up and smile. “Hi, Uncle Ghost.”
That’s his nickname, and I don’t know why they call him that. Maybe it’s because of his pale skin.
“You busy?” he asks.
“No.”
“Wanna see my new puppy?”
I gasp with excitement. “Where? What’s the puppy’s name?”
I’ve always wanted a puppy or a kitten, but Dad is allergic to them.
“It’s just next door to the restaurant.” He grips the chair beside me.
I see a tattoo of a clown”s face on his middle finger.
He wiggles his fingers. “Clowns are cool.”
“No, they’re not. They’re ugly and scary.” I don’t know anyone who likes clowns except this weird kid in my class who’s been diagnosed with some mental disorder.
“Clowns just wear makeup. Like a silly mask.” He looks at his watch. “Dinner will start soon. Let’s go.”
I rise from my seat. “What kind of dog did you get?”
“Chow Chow mix. Can you help me name it?”
“Yes, please!” I glance toward the room where Mom is. “Should I go tell her where we’re going?”
“No. You don’t want to interrupt them. They’re having a very important meeting about money.” He takes out his phone. “I’ll send Fat Dumpling a message and ask him to inform your mom. He’s in there too.”
“Okay, thanks.” My mom is super smart and has an excellent memory. She’s probably helping Grandpa with accounting stuff right now.
I follow him out of the restaurant and into the building next door. Ghost opens the back door and lets me go in first.
He goes down a hallway and opens another door. “The puppy’s in here.”
I enter, and Ghost flicks on the lights before entering a smaller room, probably to get the puppy. I glance around the space. It’s full of weapons—guns, knives, and other scary tools I don’t want to look at. I don’t think my mom would want me here.
Something feels wrong. Why can’t I hear the puppy?
“Does Grandpa own this building too?” I ask.
“Not for long.” The bitter tone makes goosebumps rise on my arms.
I’m about to turn around when something burns my back. I scream in pain and stumble to the floor.
“You little shit. Tell me where your mom is hiding the key.” He’s holding a branding iron. I recognize it from a show I saw on woodworking with my parents. “Tell me!” he shouts.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Wearing a horrific clown mask, he comes closer. “Liar. Your mom has the key to millions of dollars that belong to everyone in The Triad. The bitch is keeping it to herself. Tell me, and I won’t hurt you.”
He’s lying. My back hurts so much. He’s going to kill me. I shouldn’t have come here. I kick him, push myself up, and race toward the door.
“Help me! Mommy!” I scream for my life.
As I reach the door, another searing pain stabs my back. My skin sizzles, making this awful sound and smell. He cackles from behind me. I hate him. I want to use a weapon on him too.
He presses the iron tool harder, and I see stars. I think I’m going to die.
Mommy, Daddy.
My body trembles as I collapse onto the floor.
“Little bitch! You think you can run from me? Nobody runs from Ghost!” He walks over to a counter, drops the iron tool with a clank, and grabs a whip.
I can’t move. I’m so weak. My skin burns. What if I don’t get to see my mom or dad again? Tears blur my vision. Why is Ghost doing this? I don’t understand.
Ghost whips the floor twice, and I flinch. The sound terrifies me. He comes closer, and I gather my strength to crawl away.
I scream as the whip lands on my back, hitting the sore spots.
“This is how we punish our enemies,” he seethes.
I want to tell him I’m not his enemy, but I’m in too much pain. He whips me a few more times, then he stops. I hear noises and glance over to see him grabbing a container.
The door bursts open, and Mom runs to me. “Vivian!”
Tears rush down my face. “Mom . . .” I’m in too much pain to say more.
She gathers me into her arms. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” She glares at Ghost.
“Tell me where the key is.”
“What key?”
“The key to all the gold and cash! You think I’m stupid?” He comes closer, bringing the plastic container. “I heard you talking to King Viper! Don’t lie to me.”
“My father is going to kill you.”
Ghost approaches. “If he catches me.”
Up close, I see the word acid on the container. I don’t know where I get the strength, but I tug at my mom’s arm.
“Mom! Go!” I don’t want her to get hurt.
“No! Stop!” she shouts. She struggles with him, throwing her body over mine.
My mom’s painful screams seep into me. My body shakes as though her scream is inside me.
“Fuck!” Ghost wails, holding his bleeding head with one hand. He got acid on his face and neck.
Calvin stands nearby, looking scared but holding the branding iron with a shaky hand. Voices erupt, and he drops the iron to the ground.
Ghost runs off.
“They’re in here!” Calvin shouts.
My mom lies beside me, trembling. The acid is all over her face and body. Blood streams down her face because her flesh is melting. I’ve never seen skin melt like that. I cry because it’s all my fault.
Scooting closer, I want to hold her, but I’m scared I might hurt her. Her eyes meet mine, and I know she’s dying.
I choke out. “Sorry, Mommy.”
Her eyes flutter closed. I’m so scared. I try to push myself into a sitting position, but fall back. Calvin comes to help me, and I pass out in his arms.
I didn’t realize I’d used up an entire box of tissues until Arrow placed two more beside me. My voice hitched as I calmed myself. Embarrassment surfaced, and I looked away from him.
“Don’t turn away from me.” He gripped my chin gently, lifting it to meet his eyes. “I want to see this beautiful face.”
“I’m a mess, Arrow.” I tried to wriggle free.
He embraced me with his powerful arms, pressing his forehead against mine. “The most beautiful mess I’ve ever seen.” He kissed my forehead. “Let everything out. Let it go. You’ll feel better.”
“I just did.”
“No one will ever hurt you like that again. Ever,” he whispered as if he were talking to himself.
I didn’t realize how much pain and tension I’d been holding in until now. Seeing my mom’s face as she died was the most horrific thing I’d ever experienced. From that day onward, I had retreated into myself, never fully allowing myself to experience joy again.
“It’s not your fault that your mom died.”
I choked at how he could read me so well. More tears flowed down my face, probably making a mess of my makeup, but I didn’t care.
“Everything would”ve been fine if I had just stayed at the restaurant.”
He looked me in the eyes. “He would’ve found another way to hurt you.”
“Probably,” I said, completely drained of energy.
“How long were you in the hospital?”
“Two weeks.” I paused, remembering the overwhelming pain and grief after the adrenaline had died down. “When I returned to California, my dad’s friend—Aimee’s father—took extra care of me. He’s a doctor at the hospital. Let’s just say I had too many visits.”
I pressed my face into his chest, inhaling his musky scent that reminded me of a massive sequoia: big, tall, sturdy, and strong. When I was younger, I loved spending time in the forest. Being surrounded by all the giant trees made me feel safe and at peace. Arrow had given me back that forgotten feeling.
Silence filled the room, and there was no awkwardness. I didn’t feel the need to say anything. Arrow was giving me the space I needed to recuperate.
After a moment, I asked, “What are you thinking?”
“That I should be nicer to Calvin now.”
Warmth blossomed inside me. “He saved me.”
“What happened to Ghost?”
“He’s dead. But it took a while to catch him.”
“How’s your dad’s relationship with your grandfather?”
“They disliked each other because of my mom. Grandpa blamed my dad for taking his daughter away from him—away from The Triad—which caused a rift between some of the members. Dad blamed Grandpa for putting his wife in danger by leading a crime organization. Despite that, they remained cordial because of me.”
More conversations flowed between the two of us for another hour. He had so many questions. With each answer I gave, I felt lighter and eventually drifted off to sleep.