14. The Exchange at the Gate
Chapter fourteen
The Exchange at the Gate
Lei
My dread intensified.
The gate loomed—a bullet proof barricade adorned with sculptures of dragons.
As we neared the gate, the area around it burst with commerce, crowds, and movement due to it being flanked by numerous businesses. Neon signs flickered above shops selling everything from electronics to traditional spices.
To the right of the gate, an open market sprawled expansively. Stalls were crammed with vendors hawking their goods—fresh fruits and vegetables displayed in vibrant mosaics, fish still dripping from the morning catch, and merchants with colorful textiles shouting over each other to attract customers.
The air was thick with the scents of street food—grilled meats and fried breads mingling with the sweet aroma of pastries and exotic spices.
Hu groaned. “The deal must go through. If a battle happens here, this will get tricky. Too many innocent people for Uncle Leo to use against you.”
I sneered, knowing Hu was right.
The market teemed with people. Crowds meandered through the narrow paths between stalls. Many children darted between adults.
As our convoy passed by, several heads turned to follow our progress towards the gate. Surely, their curiosity was piqued by our procession of cars.
Father would have no problem grabbing a kid as a hostage to make a point.
“Shit.” Chen sighed. “The media is out here too.”
Damn it.
The presence of so many witnesses added another layer of complexity to the situation. It meant any action taken here would be highly visible, not just to those involved directly but to an entire community that thrived around this pivotal entry point.
The eyes of the market were on us, and the weight of their gaze felt as heavy as the dragons looming over us.
Alright, father. Do the right thing.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
This is it. Let’s go.
As planned, my father’s car stopped right at the threshold.
Slowing down, my SUV stopped five feet away, and I rushed with opening the door and jumping out, but remained by the SUV, knowing that my father may not comply with letting Moni out if I came too close to his car.
Come on, Father. Please. . .don’t hurt her.
Chen, Duck, and Hu got out too and stood next to me.
Alright. Let her go.
We waited, then a woman on our far right screamed out in glee. “The Mountain Master is here!”
Shit.
Tons of heads turned my way.
Chen yelled out orders to all my men who had been leaving their cars, “Hurry! Get around him and the SUV.”
Meanwhile many in the market crowd took out their cellphones. Cameras flashed and surely videos began to record as they tried to capture my unexpected visit.
Social media would be buzzing within minutes, speculating on the reasons for my presence near the gate—a place where my official business was rarely conducted so openly.
Others rushed over, eager to get a closer look or perhaps to be acknowledged by me.
Goddamn it, Father. Let her out of the car. Now.
The crowd surged towards us like a wave, their faces a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
Street vendors and shoppers alike abandoned their transactions, joining the throng that pressed closer to our cars.
Meanwhile, I kept my focus on my father’s car.
“Eh!” Hu held his hands up and gestured to some of our people. “Keep control of the crowd! Come on!”
Our men scrambled to maintain a clear path for us, their weapons out and voices raised, trying to hold back the enthusiastic people.
Next, my phone rang.
Is that you, Father?
I dug my hand in my pocket, pulled the phone out, and placed the device next to my ear. “Yes?”
My father’s voice hit the line. “Open the gate.”
“Let her out of the car.”
“How can I trust that you will let me go?”
“How can I trust that you will let Moni go?”
The line went silent for a moment, as if he were considering this new predicament.
“Unlock the gate,” he repeated.
“I need assurance of her safety.” It took everything in me to not scream at him. “Let her step out of the car.”
“I will not take her. That was the deal that we agreed on.”
“I need more evidence of that.”
“She has convinced me that it would be disadvantageous to the bigger picture, if I kidnapped her today. She’s convinced me.”
Good job, Moni.
I nodded. “I trust her, not you. Therefore, if you let her at least get out of the car, I promise that you have safe passage. You leave the East. No one will come after you.”
“Hmmm.”
The crowd began to get bigger and louder. More shoppers swelled and jostled against each other, struggling to get closer to us.
Duck got closer to me and took out his sword. “Fuck.”
Arms reached out, and hands waved frantically at me, as more and more people joined the throng, creating a pulsating mass of bodies.
Next, there was a heavy sigh on the other end. “Fine, son.”
Chen’s voice grew shaky. “We need to hurry this up, Lei.”
“Father?” I gripped the phone tighter. “Just let her leave the car.”
“I will, but the door will remain open.”
The line of my jaw twitched.
Did he plan to yank her back in the car if I tried anything stupid?
Or did he plan to grab her regardless?
Fuck.
I swallowed down the new fear creeping up my throat.
No. Trust Moni. He may be crazy, but she is probably talking sense to him.
Then, to my shock, Moni got on the line. “I’m fine, Lei. You can open the gates.”
Hearing her voice was like hands leaving my neck after choking me.
It was pure relief, utter music to my ears.
The tension that had built up in my muscles, the tightness around my chest, the incessant pounding in my head—all dissipated as she spoke.
“So. . .this is what we should do.” Her words flowed through the receiver, soft yet clear, each syllable lifting the shadows of fear that had clung to me. “I am going to step out of the car, while you give the orders to unlock the gate, but you do not have to open it just yet.”
“Okay.”
My father’s voice sounded in the background. He was definitely saying something to her, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
“Leo, why would he agree to that?” she replied. “No, Leo. That’s not cool.”
I blinked. “What’s going on?”
Ignoring my question, she continued talking to him, “It makes more sense for me to be in a zone of safety, before he lets you go.”
She’s right about that. I guess Moni truly does have control of this situation.
Still, I shivered in fear.
She returned to me. “Lei, I am opening the door right now.”
“Okay.” I looked at Chen and spoke to him, “Tell them to unlock the gates and get ready to open them, but don’t open them just yet.”
Chen gave me a hard look, but nodded and relayed my instructions into his phone.
I spoke back into my phone, “It’s done, Moni. Come over to me.”
Her soft nervous chuckle came. “I can’t come over just yet, baby.”
It shouldn’t have happened, but my heart warmed and my cock jumped at her calling me baby . It was the absolute worst moment for either to be happening, but still it all did.
Yeah. I’m probably pussy whipped.
She continued, “However, I’m leaving the car right now.”
I widened my eyes.
The back door of the vehicle swung open and I saw her step out onto the asphalt. Her blue dress fluttered in the slight breeze, her eyes filled with fear and confusion as she realized that now some of the crowd was beginning to form around her.
“Get control of them now,” I spoke through clenched teeth. “No one can touch her.”
Hu rushed that way with several of my men.
My heartbeat quickened at the sight of her, but I forced myself to remain calm. I had to maintain control of the situation.
Moni’s voice came nervous on the line. “Lei, what is Hu doing?”
“Only getting control of the crowd. That’s it. No one is coming for my father or you. I’m going to honor the deal.”
“Alright. I’m getting off the phone and handing it back to Leo.” She did just that and remained near the car.
My father’s voice hit the line. “Now your move.”
“The gates are unlocked.”
“They need to be open, son.”
“Tell Moni to step ten feet away from the car.”
“I could still get her at that distance, if you chose to be stupid.”
Rage coiled within my chest. “I’m aware of that, but her distance from you will still make me feel better about opening the gates.”
“You’ve finally learned to keep a cool head during a moment of conflict.”
I frowned. “Tell her to put distance between you.”
“As you wish, son.” He must have gestured for her to walk off because soon she stepped several feet away from the vehicle.
I gave a nod to Chen.
He gave the order, and slowly, with deliberate care, those massive gates began to open.
The metal loudly creaked and groaned.
The crowd gasped and whispers spread like wildfire through them as they realized what was happening.
What are they thinking?
Finally, the gates slowly creaked open, inch by painstaking inch, revealing the world beyond that had been hidden from view since I’d closed the East off from Paradise City after Chanel’s death.
As the gap widened, sunlight spilled through the opening, casting long shadows that danced across the faces of the onlookers.
People craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of what—or who—might come through.
My father spoke, “This was an interesting visit, son.”
“Do not come back to the East again. The next time I see you will be our battle.”
“Well. . .Moni will explain that I must return to the East just one more time.”
I frowned. “Moni will explain?”
“Yes. She is becoming quite the Mountain Mistress.”
The phone clicked.
Fucking psychopath asshole.
But none of that mattered anymore.
The fear and tension that had gripped me so tightly began to evaporate the moment I saw his back door close shut and his car speed away.
Finally. . .she’s safe.
The phone in my hand became irrelevant. I dropped the damn thing, and it clattered to the ground as I broke into a sprint toward her.
Thank you, God. Thank you.
The crowd, which had been a dense mass of bodies just moments ago, seemed to sense the shift in the air. They parted, their expressions a mix of horror and shock as they watched my sudden charge.
Perhaps it was the raw emotion on my face, or maybe it was the sheer force of my resolve that pushed them aside.
My men, ever vigilant, were quick to reinforce the track I had started, their bodies moving with practiced precision. They barreled through the crowd, creating a clear path that cut through the sea of people like a ship through water.
My heart pounded in my chest as I drove forward.
The distance between us closed rapidly, the faces in the crowd blurring into indistinct shapes, their whispers and gasps fading into the background.
All I could focus on was Moni, standing just ahead, her figure becoming clearer with every step I took.
Thank you so much.
With Hu guarding, she began to walk towards me.
God, I’m falling for her hard.
When we met halfway, she threw her arms around me and buried her face in my chest.
I trembled, holding her tight. “Moni.”
“I knew you would trust me.”
Cameras flashed.
Some people shouted out questions.
All I could do was breathe in her scent and keep her close to me.
The weight in my chest lightened seeing the smile on her face. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
“Lei,” Chen got to my side. “We have to get out of here.”
The crowd got louder, but now the news cameras were out.
Shit.
Reporters yelled out questions.
“Mountain Master, can you explain what just happened at the gate?”
“Is the East now open, sir?!”
“Lei, what does this mean for your leadership in the East?”
“Come on.” I placed a kiss on her cheek, stepped back and gently grabbed her hand. “Let’s get to the car.”
“Was that the Grand Mountain Master?”
“Is there a new deal between the South and East? Can you share the details with us?”
“What were the terms of the agreement that led to this moment?”
But I didn't answer their questions.
Instead, I let go of her hand and wrapped an arm firmly around Moni’s waist, shielding her from the barrage of curious eyes and intrusive microphones.
Chen hurried in front of us. “That’s enough! Out of the way!”
I whispered to Moni. “We’ll be out of here soon.”
Duck appeared out of nowhere, got right next to Chen, and took out his sword.
Fast, all reporters in our way gasped and jumped several feet back.
Moni widened her eyes. “Wow. Are they afraid of Duck?”
I grinned. “The press and Duck have a. . .complicated history. Therefore, they like to give him space whenever they can.”
She blinked.
We followed closely behind Chen and Duck, our small group sticking together like a shield against the sea of speculation swirling around us.
Still more questions roared.
“Mountain Master, is there any truth to the rumors of a rebellion brewing against your rule?”
“They are calling themselves, Blue Silence. Would you like to comment?”
Tension gathered in my shoulders.
“Will there be changes in the policies regarding free speech and press after last night’s events?”
“Mountain Master, how do you respond to the concerns about human rights violations in the East?”
Moni whispered to me, “They’re talking about Leo killing the influencers?”
“Yes.” I spotted the car getting closer. “I’ll deal with that later—”
“But have you said anything yet?”
“Not yet.” I moved us quickly but steadily towards the SUV.
“But. . .shouldn’t you say something.”
“Mountain Master, is there a war on free speech?”
“Mountain Master, can you address the recent allegations that influencers critical of your regime have met with unexplained deaths?”
Although she maintained my pace, Moni whispered, “Lei, you should respond.”
“I don’t care about that, I just want you back in the palace and safe.” I got us to the car and opened the door for her. “Come on.”
“Lei.” She frowned and remained right there.
What is she doing?
“Get inside.” I did my best not to scowl. “Please.”
“You should say something. People died.”
“I’m not saying anything right now. I want you back in the palace.”
She frowned at me. . .to my fucking horror. . .Moni did not get in the car. Instead, she turned to face the pressing crowd of reporters.
Wait. No. What the fuck are you doing?
She took two steps their way and I would have grabbed her if not for being frozen in shock.
Chen looked like he was about to piss himself, he stumbled over to me and got close. “W-what is she doing?”
The crowd quieted.
Some of the reporters widened their eyes.
Moni cleared her throat.
“Oh God no.” Chen shook his head. “No. No. No. She can’t just talk. We need to get it all approved by the press office.”
I did my best to keep the terror off my face and whispered back to him, “What do you want me to do, drag her away?”
“Yes.”
“She would be pissed.”
“And—”
“Chen, I would rather the East be pissed with me, then Moni.”
Then, Moni began to speak to the crowd.