Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
His mouth twitched at the corners.
For a second, I thought he’d draw the blade right there, slice through whatever fragile truce existed between us in front of the entire sanctum.
I leaned in closer. “You want to battle here? I’m fine with it, but you will not walk next to her anymore.”
Moni parted her lips. “Let me go, Leo.”
“Everything must be the way I’ve designed it. I’ve spent too much time. Go sit down, Lei.” He shifted, pulling Moni slightly behind him. “This is her time.”
His movement was subtle but unmistakable—he was trying to claim her in front of me.
Like a prize.
His prize.
Instantly, I saw red.
Moni frowned and moved, trying to step away.
His grip tightened.
I didn’t think.
I just moved.
My hand shot out, slamming his hand away from her arm with enough force to send a sound echoing through the Sanctum.
The sudden movement sent a collective gasp rippling through the guests.
Shocked, my father stumbled back.
Cameras flashed.
Somewhere in the orchestra pit, a violin screeched to a halt.
Waiters froze mid-step, some dropping trays that crashed to the ground.
Leo’s hand flew back toward the hilt of his sword.
I snarled. “You will never get to touch her again.”
Moni hurried over to me.
I offered my arm.
She took it.
My father’s face darkened. “You are. . .twisting this. I just wanted to—”
“I don’t give a fuck what you want. Don’t touch her. Don’t stand next to her.”
And without saying anything else to him, I took Moni away in the opposite direction.
“Lei! What are you doing?!” My father yelled. “The feast is this way! We must have the feast before the—”
“I want a moment to talk to her! Then you’ll have your damn feast, old man!”
Moni didn’t protest.
She didn’t pull away. I could feel the weight of every eye in the pavilion on us as we walked off—guests, officials, soldiers, the orchestra, even Dima and Rowe Street Mob.
Everyone was staring in stunned silence.
Behind us, my father’s fury erupted. His shout reverberated against the pavilion walls like a curse, full of venom. “Lei!”
But I didn’t stop, and I didn’t give one fuck.
I had her—my Mountain Mistress.
My heart.
And never would she be away from me again.
Chapter twenty-three
The Secret Space
Moni
Lei moved with such lightning speed that my mind struggled to keep up.
One second, I was gripping Leo’s arm, bracing myself against the weight of hundreds of gazes.
The next, I was swept off my feet—literally.
Once we rushed off, Lei lifted and scooped me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest like I was the most precious treasure in his life.
Shocked gasps rippled around us.
He carried me effortlessly, his strides long and sure. Clear determination covered his face.
Stomping us forward, he brushed his lips along the shell of my ear, and that sweet touch sent delicious shivers racing down my spine. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did he fucking hurt you?”
“Not physically. I think I’m just a little crazy now.”
“I’m so sorry for—”
“You didn’t do anything wrong—”
“I let him take you away—”
“You didn’t.” I pressed my lips against his cheeks hoping I could kiss away every bit of guilt spinning in his chest.
He picked up the space.
Gravel crunched under his boots.
The world whirred past in a blur of colors.
The murmurs of the crowd faded as we left the pavilion.
Some of his men and even a few of Leo’s people had been positioned outside of the pavilion. They witnessed him carry me off with widened eyes and stunned expressions. It was as if the very sight of him—defiant against Leo and possessive of me—disrupted the natural order of things.
Whispers buzzed in our wake, low murmurs barely audible over the night’s stillness, but I could feel them still thick with shock and uncertainty.
I checked in front of us and blinked.
I expected Lei to take me back in the direction of the camps but he veered right and headed down a path that cut away from the well-worn trails.
The air around us shifted.
It was subtle at first—a cooling breeze that began to warm.
The scents changed too, moving from the smoky undertones of the incense and roasted meats of the feast to the lighter perfumed fragrance of wildflowers dancing within the mountain air.
I turned back to him.
Although walking us along, he’d been watching me.
“Where are we going, baby?”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his arms tightened around me slightly and the faintest of smiles tugged at the corner of his lips.
Next, he directed his gaze forward and there was this confidence in his eyes—no certainty blazing in them—as if the path we were on led not to a place but to a moment he’d planned down to the last detail.
“Lei?”
“Have I told you that I love when you call me baby.”
I blinked.
He curled his lips into a smirk. “We’re going somewhere special. I need to talk to you about something.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you when we’re there.”
“Oh wait.” Hope filled me. “Are you going to try and get out of the battle? I’m down. Let’s go right now. Maybe we can hurry off to a helicopter and—”