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)
“Those were different times, under different conditions. They don't set a precedent for now or—”
“But they do set a precedent.” She lifted those cards back up and glanced at one.
For a second, I wanted to snatch those damn cards away from her.
She cleared her throat. “They set the precedent that Council can be called whenever and wherever it's necessary, as long as the key members are present. And right now, all key members are here.”
Then to further her argument, she began pointing at each one of us and spitting out our titles. “Mountain Master, Deputy Mountain Master, Straw Sandal, and Red Pole.”
Chen gave up on his watch. “She's right, Lei. There have been at least three Councils on this very mountaintop. It's unorthodox, but not unprecedented.”
I glared at Chen.
He smoothed down the front of his jacket. “You remember what we said before all of us started.”
I swallowed.
He held out his hands. “To live with no rules is to live like monsters.”
“Rules can be bent, Chen.” I gestured at Monique. “Especially in situations like this. We can't just entertain every ridiculous request that comes our way.”
“Ridiculous?!” Monique rested her hand on her sexy cleavage. “I'm ridiculous now?”
Goddamn it.
Unprepared for all of this, I ran my fingers through my hair. “You're not ridiculous but your calling Council is ridiculous.”
“How?”
“Because right now I don't care about this Council or the Four Aces, I just want to take you somewhere privately, rip that damn dress off of you, and lick your pussy until you understand that the only color you wear is blue.”
She opened her mouth in shock.
Do you have a rebuttal for that on those fucking index cards?
Duck and Hu stirred.
She blinked a few times and flipped to the next card. “Okay.”
I leaned my head to the side.
“If you don't want to give me a proper Council, then I will be forced to call an Elder Council—”
“Jesus Christ.” Chen stepped back in horror.
Duck moved his view to the ground.
It was probably him who told her.
But this was a lot of information and he’s only had a few minutes alone with her at a time. This was hours upon hours of detailed information.
Monique raised her voice. “I have every right to call this Elder Council, and currently these members are Leo, Song, and both of your aunts—”
“We know who is on the Council—”
“So, you want me to call them?” She placed one hand on her hip.
Completely out of character, Chen kept shaking his head. “No. No. We don 't need to have them up here for a Council. It would be a shit show of high proportions. Lei might try to kill Leo and he isn't ready. Plus, my father is not. . .the most mentally stable person and my aunts call for crazy predictions—”
“Monique. . .” Duck kept his voice low. “To get the Elder Council involved would be like. . .tattle telling or. . .having us get a whipping.”
“Either we do this Council right here and right now.” Monique raised one finger. “Or I go get the big switch to whip your little behinds.”
“Well. . .that is quite a point.” Chen shrugged and turned to me. “The essence of leadership is to hear out even what we may deem as ridiculous? It’s about fairness, Lei. Upholding the integrity of our own codes and—”
“You just don't want your father here for an Elder Council.”
Chen bobbed his head. “That too.”
“And Lei,” Monique frowned at me. “You're not ripping any dress off me and licking anything until you hear everything I have to say.”
I tensed. “Is that right?”
“Yes.”
Hu added, “You always said you never wanted to be like your father. This is one way to prove it.”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Not wanting to be like my father had always been a guiding principle for me. Hu using my own values against me, left me cornered.
It also showed how freaked out he was about dealing with the Elder Council.
Duck scowled at me. “Hear Monique out. If her request holds no merit, we can decide as much.”
Hu tapped the side of his gun. “Things are getting out of hand. A fresh perspective may be helpful.”
Duck muttered, “That's an understatement.”
With a heavy sigh, I nodded slowly. “Fine. We'll hear your petition for Council.”
Her expression brightened, and I had to admit that reaction made me happy.
“Alright.” She returned her gaze to those damn cards, shuffled a few, and then stopped at one.
I quirked my brows.
She gave me a confident smile. “I would like to petition for the right to be a Friend of the Four Aces.”
That statement hung in the air.
None of us spoke.
Well. . .now shit is really out of hand.
I glanced at my fellow Aces, searching for any hint of objection or hesitation. Duck, Hu, and Chen exchanged glances, yet their faces were unreadable.