11. Certified Snitch
Chapter eleven
Certified Snitch
Monique
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to meet Leo’s dark gaze. “Well. . .”
An icy smile spread across his face. “My daughter plans to take the East after my death?”
“That’s what she said when she came to Mount Utopia.”
Across from us, sadness washed over Song’s face. I wished I had an idea of what he was thinking because his brother, Leo looked close to exploding.
Fuck. Should I have not said that?
The darkness in Leo’s eyes didn’t clear. “And what else did my daughter say during her little visit on Mount Utopia?”
“She said that she is taking Lotus Blossom—”
“She is unworthy of walking these halls.” Leo sneered. “Never let her inside of here. Promise me that, Monique.”
I swallowed. “Okay. I promise.”
“She plotted against Lei as Jing begged her to stop, cried even. She almost killed my son over the throne. Her brother.” Leo shook his head. “What is the throne, but a chair that I built? I will give it to whomever I choose.”
“Yan felt like she didn’t get a chance to rule—”
“She didn’t. The East is not ready for a woman to rule, not just yet.” Leo turned his view to one of the doors to a bedroom as if that played out some vision for him. “But I believe during my grandchildren’s time, this could be true. I hope to see it from heaven—my granddaughter sitting on the throne—but for now. . .I prepared Lei his entire life to sit there. What else could Lei do, but accept it?”
This shit is crazy. . .
Leo returned his view to me. “While Lei and my wife have forgiven Yan, my heart is not made that way. Yan may be allowed to be around me at times. I will give her properties because she is of my blood, and that is what a proper father does. . .but Yan cannot have my forgiveness and the things that come with it.”
I widened my eyes. “Got it.”
He spoke through clenched teeth, “What else did she say?”
Damn. I’m a certified snitch right now.
I cleared my throat. “Yan said that. . .she will simply sit during the final feast and watch with a huge smile on her face.”
Leo’s mouth twisted into a maddening grin. “Hmmm.”
“And. . .she won’t interfere with the battle, but I got the feeling that after Lei kills you, she will either fight him right there or a day later.”
“And I trust your feeling. I think you’re right. Yan may rush right onto the floor while I’m bleeding out and fight Lei while he is exhausted.” Leo met his brother’s gaze. “What do you think?”
Song frowned. “I think we should get out of the East first, before Lei kills you. All talk of Yan is unnecessary if Lei kills you today.”
Leo regarded his brother for a long moment. “I may have been a good Mountain Master, but. . .as a father. . .”
I pursed my lips.
Leo let out a long breath. “I cannot believe Yan simply returned to me with Chanel’s body acting like the dutiful and loving daughter. She knew my plan, yet plotted to ruin it all once I was gone.”
“Umm.” I quirked my brows. “You have Chanel’s body?”
“I do. That was Yan’s job.”
“You sent her to Mount Utopia to get it?”
“I did, and apparently she decided to have a chat.”
“But why have her take the body?”
“I didn’t know what Lei was doing with the corpse, and I needed him to focus on you—”
“Leo, I convinced Lei to give Chanel’s body back to the Killer Crows. It was going to happen the next morning, but then Yan took it, and Lei ended up leaving me to chase after her.”
It was Leo’s turn to blink in shock. “You convinced my son to let go of her body?”
“Well, it was a long conversation where I discussed logic and grieving but yes he agreed.”
“And surely you threatened him with possibly leaving.”
“Well. . .that too.”
Leo went back to rubbing his chin. “I planned to have the body delivered to the West after the battle.”
“I’m just getting into all of this, but I don’t think you should be the one to deliver the body. I believe Lei should give the body to Chanel’s sister himself , and explain his actions.”
Song and Leo exchanged glances.
I had no idea if it was good thinking or not.
Leo spoke, “And what else?”
“Well. . .I have already talked to Banks making sure that the South would be satisfied with that outcome.”
“All would be forgiven in the South, if Lei gives the body to Killer Crows and explains?”
“It would.”
To my surprise, Song gave me a warm smile. “I like everything you just said. . .Mountain Mistress.”
I tensed.
Song bobbed his head. “However, Lei should not give the body back to the West, until he can show that he has killed Leo.”
Leo touched his neck. “Make sure Lei shows them my head.”
“Uh. . .” I widened my eyes in horror. “O-kay.”
“That’s very important, Monique.”
“Alright.” I tried not to vomit from the idea of Lei having Leo’s head and Chanel’s corpse. It was all too damn much for my liking. Still, I pushed through my disgust and spoke, “So, then instead of delivering Chanel’s body to the West, hand her over to Chen at the end of the battle.”
Song gave me a half bow. “I promise to do that.”
“If. . .we even need the battle,” I added.
Leo smirked. “I explained why I must die, Monique.”
I gazed at Leo. “Okay.”
“You are in the East now.”
I sighed. “Well. . .I don’t want you to kill Yan because of what I just told you.”
“You would rather Lei be forced to kill her, after killing me?”
Fuck. Fair point.
“I must solve this problem, Monique. I am the one who caused it.” Leo rubbed his forehead. “Jing. . .tried to stop me many times during their childhood and. . .many times I ignored her. . .thinking that I knew best. I didn’t. This is why you must take control with Lei when it comes to my grandchildren. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” I swallowed. “However. . .I don’t like that a lot of the solutions in the East come with death.”
“Then, be the change, Monique.” Leo lowered his hand. “Damn it. We must have this tea ceremony—”
“Brother, we must get you out of here.” Song straightened his stance and began to go down the stairs. “Perhaps, I can talk to Lei and get some sort of agreement to let us safely leave the East.”
Leo snorted. “We took Monique out of the palace, he will not listen to you. He will be deranged.”
I touched my chest. “Then, I can talk to Lei.”
“Once you are out of this house and safely with him, the battle will begin, right here in his childhood home. And he will not compromise with you on that fact.” Leo shook his head. “A battle in Lotus Blossom. . .Jing. . .would shed tears in heaven at the sight.”
Death upon death. Why does the East have to be so violent?
But more important. . .why did I care?
And why. . .was I starting to lean further on the side of not wanting Leo dead?
Now knowing everything, Leo hadn’t just killed out of malice; it was strategic, almost paternal in its own sickly disturbing way.
He was pruning the branches that could choke the future he envisioned for his family—his kingdom.
And wasn’t there something almost loving in his ruthless efficiency?
He had orchestrated these dark deeds to protect something dear to him, much like a father might step into the shadows to keep his children bathed in sunlight.
It was this paradox that unsettled me the most.
Because I would do anything to keep my sisters safe.
I don’t want Lei and Leo to fight right now. It would break my heart.
Song continued down the stairs, and Leo began to command his men, telling them to go down and guard the bottom level. And all I could do was think back to Leo’s speaking of dying to reunite with Jing and how he believed his death would allow Lei’s true potential to unfold.
Damn. That’s some heavy shit. While I might kill for my sisters, I don’t think I would die for them. . .
It was crazy, but I found myself now wrestling with the idea of Leo’s death. Part of me—a part I wasn’t entirely comfortable acknowledging—didn’t want him to die. Perhaps because in this twisted new crazy reality, he was willing to be my guide in the East, however morally ambiguous.
There was this other nagging thing in my chest that I didn’t like.
Did part of me see him as a father figure?
That thought was a bitter pill to swallow if I even dared.
I had lost both of my parents and then been thrust into a role I was never prepared for, in this odd land of rules called the East where I had no knowledge of. Then, here was Leo, a figure so commanding, so sure of his world and its rules.
In fact. . .he was the person who made the fucking rules in the first place.
Yet, how could I reconcile these conflicting emotions—the understanding and the revulsion?
He was a killer, a manipulator, a mastermind who played with lives like chess pieces.
But, he also showed a capacity for love and sacrifice that was undeniably profound.
Maybe this was what power was—a heavy crown of thorns laced with blossoms, cutting into you even as it beautified your brow.
Then, many began slamming the front door over and over, yanking my attention back to the present moment.
Fuck. They’re going to break their way in here. . .hold up. . .this is my house. No. Don’t break the door down.
Against all logic, I walked off.
And to my shock, Leo didn’t stop me. He just followed with this odd fascination on his face. “What are you going to do, Monique?”
I headed down the stairs. “Lei mainly needs to know that I’m okay. I think this will calm some of the banging down.”
“Alright.”
“Then, he needs to understand that I like that door and all the cool carvings of the dragons and that I would be very mad if they split the freaking door in half.”
Leo beamed with pride. “I shipped the door from Lucun Village—these beautiful farmlands in China, famous for their wood carvings.”
“Cool.”
“Very cool.”
We descended further.
Leo continued, “Monique, Lei and I cannot fight today. This is Jing’s sanctuary. Additionally, everything is not in place for my death—”
“I agree. I don’t want to see a battle or anyone dying.” I stiffened. “I’ll figure something out.”
I hope. . .
The pounding on the door got louder and more frantic.
From my view, I could see Song standing near with ten men ready to fight if necessary. Another six men surrounded my ladies-in-waiting in the corner.
Meanwhile, Leo shook his head. “There’s still so much to do. I had plans to give you some of my notebooks today. They contain insights and strategies. Things that Jing and I worked on together. It would help you see the bigger picture.”
The thought of Jing brought a mix of emotions. Despite everything, I was curious about the woman who had shaped so much of the current dynamics without my knowing.
I gave up with the odd battle in my head and admitted, “I want to learn from you, Leo. Everything you can teach me—no matter how crazy—could help me a lot here.”
“That’s what I hoped you’d say.”
“We just have to make sure Lei understands.”
“Or we can sneak you away—”
“No, I’m not plotting behind Lei’s back. Whatever we do, he will know about it.”
Leo grinned. “You are good for him. Jing was right. You are the sort of woman that Lei needs—trustworthy, sweet, loyal, and most of all. . .loving.”
I’m trying.
We reached the bottom of the stairs.
Song looked back at us, appearing very worried. “The way they’re banging on this door, I’m afraid to open it.”
Yet, Leo continued to talk about his plans for me as if shit weren’t about to get crazy, “At least another day to tell you more things, and of course the tea ceremony.”
My heart pounded. “Yes.”
“What you must understand is that it is not just about surviving here in the East; it’s about thriving, making sure you and Lei can lead without being swallowed by shadows.”
This dude stay plotting. . .like. . .we need to be focused on calming Lei down and not coming in here.
Leo sighed. “Jing was. . .she was a master at navigating murky waters. No one knew that because she remained silent in public, but very strategic in private. There’s much you could learn from her life.”
“Okay, Leo, but right now we have to focus on the present problem.” I spotted one of the large windows in the living room and saw tons of men outside of it with swords.
Shit.
I blinked.
Wait. I’ve got an idea.
I headed over there.
Song watched me. “What is she doing?”
Leo chuckled like a mad man. “She’s stepping into her power.”
I don’t know about that.
The pounding and shouting outside reached a fever pitch, and I knew I had to act fast before the front door was reduced to splinters.
Darting towards the large window in the living room, I caught sight of the mob outside, swords and tempers clashing in the dim light of the late afternoon.
Goddman it. The East will take a lot to get used to.
Far off, I spotted Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi being led away with their hands bound behind their backs. Their clothes were ripped and hair in disarray.
At least ten guys surrounded them.
“What? No!” I handed the photo album to Lei, pressed my palms against the cool glass, and tapped sharply. “Eh!! Eh!! Look over here!”
After a moment, the crowd's roar dimmed and heads turned toward me.
I waved at them.
Then, a path cleared.
Lei appeared at the front of all of the huge men. Rage decorated his face. He wore no shirt, and his muscles tensed visibly under his skin as if every line of his body were drawn tight with stress.
Aww, baby. I’m okay.
I waved at him. “Lei! Come here!”
Fast, he rushed over, hopping onto the porch with his sword in the air. When he made it to the window, his voice was faint on the other side. “Moni, are you okay?!”
“I'm completely fine, Lei. We’ve just been talking. In fact, I’ve got answers!” I pressed my hand to the glass as if I could reach through it to him. “Please, don't break the door down. I like it very much.”
His eyes searched mine through the glass and his brows knitted as he must have spotted Leo behind me. “Get away from him, Moni. It's not safe.”
I shook my head. “Lei, listen to me. I'm safe. Your father and I were just talking. There's no immediate danger here. In fact. . .I want you to let Leo and your uncle freely go—”
“What?!” Lei's face contorted into a mask of fury. He fisted his hands and the veins on his neck bulged. “He dies today.”
I stepped back. “He can’t die today! Lei. . .just. . .let him go. I’ll explain.”
“Are you two friends now?”
“What? I’ve got answers and things are making sense—”
“I’m glad you’ve got your answers, now I want his death.”
Leo chuckled behind me. “He is his father’s son. Indeed.”
I swallowed. “Please, Lei, just do this for me. Let your father and uncle leave so—”
“Why would I do that?”
“You have the battle soon and—”
“I don’t give a fuck about that battle!” Lei gestured at his men. “Knock the fucking door down. Get inside to get her!”
The pounding to the door continued.
I shivered. “Lei, stop!”
“I don't trust him, Moni, and you shouldn’t either. You don’t know what my father is capable of—”
“I do—”
“He killed people last night—”
“I know.” Guilt gripped my heart. “But. . .”
“There are no buts to that.”
Fuck.
I turned to Leo.
He gave me a sad smile and set the photo album on a nearby table. “I’m sorry, Monique.”
“What are you sorry about?”
Then, he whipped a blade in front of him and again I had no idea where it had come from.
I widened my eyes and edged back. “Hold up, Leo. . .w-what are you going to do?”
Lei screamed on the other side of the window. “Don’t you fucking touch her, father! Please!! Don’t!!”
“I’m sorry, Monique.” Leo kept the blade between us and crept forward. “We’re going to have to go with Plan B.”