Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Obsession burns hotter than revenge.
Lei has ruled the East with an unrelenting grip, commanding fear and loyalty in equal measure. But Monique awakens a dangerous craving he can’t ignore.
She’s not just a distraction.
She’s becoming his ultimate weakness.
With treachery closing in and the line between ally and enemy blurred, Lei and Monique’s bond will either shatter their enemies or ignite a fire that consumes them both.Can they survive the storm together?
Or will their passion bring this ruthless legacy crashing down?
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Prologue
A Battle of Hearts
Lei
I had anticipated seeing Duck in the familiar confines of the sparring ring where Hu’s men and I had exchanged blows just this morning.
But when I arrived, no one was there.
Where the fuck is he?
I squinted against the sunlight, traced the winding path upwards with my gaze, and searched for any sign of them. Far in the distance, almost blending with the horizon, I recognized three familiar figures.
Chen, Hu, and Duck.
They were mere specks from where I stood but their silhouettes were unmistakable against the backdrop of the sprawling landscape.
Annoyed, I headed that way.
It appeared that Duck had chosen a much more formidable setting to have our conversation. He had ventured to the very zenith of Mount Utopia, a place where the air thinned and the heart raced a bit faster.
As I got closer to them, the mighty waterfall roared on their side. The rippling water crashed down and cascaded into a shimmering pool. Mist rose from its base, painting ethereal rainbows in the fleeting sunlight.
Beside that natural marvel, Hu, Chen, and Duck stood in the Arena of Echoes. An ancient sparring ring, it bore the weight of legends and history; stories of epic battles and warriors of old. It was a place where every move made echoed with the whispers of the past, where every fight was not just a physical confrontation but a dance with the spirits of warriors long gone.
I couldn’t help but wonder what had compelled Duck to choose such a sacred place for our confrontation.
It doesn’t matter where I’ll beat him. Here or there. He’s gone too far.
I hurried toward the arena, seething the whole time. There was nothing that Duck could say to keep my hands off him.
Minutes later, I could see the Arena of Echoes much better.
This sparring ring was truly unique. It was constructed from shimmering blue stones that mirrored the hues of the sky. Many of the Four Aces believed that fighting on these stones bestowed upon them unparalleled strength and wisdom.
Adjacent to the ring, was that breathtaking waterfall. Legends spoke of the water’s healing properties. Also, after an intense match, fighters often immersed their injuries in the clear waters, believing it accelerated their healing.
Guarding the Arena of Echoes, imposing statues of mythical creatures stood sentinel around its perimeter. Each one was meticulously carved from stone.
There was the formidable dragon, its scales intricately chiseled, winding its sinuous body around one corner of the arena. Deep emerald jewels made up his eyes.
Next to it, a phoenix had outstretched wings with etched feathers. Its ruby eyes glistened.
Further along, a tiger and a crane stood side by side. The tiger, with sapphire eyes crouched low, muscles tensed portraying raw power and fierce determination. The crane, with opal eyes, stood tall and elegantly, its long neck curved gracefully embodying finesse and strategy.
When I was a kid, my father and Uncle Song had explained that the ring was already present when they first came to the mountain. That fateful night, they paused to admire the ring’s beauty, set up a campfire, enjoyed a meal, and then drifted into slumber. My father later recounted a dream where a god visited him in this very spot revealing that this was a sacred place where mortals could demonstrate their valor and connect with age-old forces.
Later my father secretly told me that Uncle Song and him had paid artisans to create the arena. Yet, he knew the legend of a god-created sparring ring would be more exciting for our men to fight in than the regular story.
I got closer and remembered the first time I set foot in this arena as a kid.
The air was thin and challenging.
Training at such an altitude tested the very essence of one’s spirit, pushing the limits of their lungs and stamina.
And while many came to this very ring to assess themselves, not all left with their pride intact.
I made it to the arena and the old training ground greeted me like an old friend. My cousins and I had spent countless hours here, sparring, learning, growing.
Now, the dance had taken on a new rhythm, one of possible rivalry and new passion, as Duck and I both somehow found ourselves drawn to the same flame—Monique.
How the fuck did this happen? And why did he think that once I handcuffed her to my wrist that he could still talk to her?
Entering the arena, I slipped off my shoes then stepped onto the cool blue stones.
Anticipation tingled in the air.
Across the ring, Duck stood with his shirt and shoes discarded. His athletic build was on full display and accentuated by nothing but blue training pants. There was no hint of joy or laughter in his face—only a scowl promising imminent battle.
On the sidelines, Chen tried to dissuade us. “This does not have to be an intense sparring. We have a long day of training tomorrow, Lei. By the way, I had an extensive conversation with Duck and I have come up with several ways he can be disciplined—”