Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
I trembled. “What?”
I didn’t like where this was going. There was something in Leo’s voice—something that felt like a threat wrapped in a Bible verse.
Reluctantly, Lei moved toward the bookshelf, yet his gaze never left Leo.
Seconds later, he reached for the iPad and the second the screen lit up, I saw his entire body tense.
Lei whispered, “No, Father. No.”
What?
Slowly, I stepped closer, peering at the screen over Lei’s shoulder.
Oh my God.
My blood turned to ice.
The screen showed Dima sitting on the carousel in the garden, bound by ropes to a bench. His usually calm face was contorted with emotion.
Next to him sat Rose, equally bound by rope to that bench. Her expression was tense and sad, but she surely was trying to hold herself together.
And that carousel rotated slowly, the bright and cheerful horses bobbing up and down, while tons of blue robed monks surrounded it with guns and many of the weapons’ points were aimed at Rose’s head.
However that wasn’t the horrifying part.
What chilled me to the bone and fucking ruined me. . .was the sight of the dead white cat lying limp in Dima’s lap.
Enraged, I shook my head. “Leo, w-why do that to the cat?”
“It was self-defense. Dima didn’t appreciate them pointing the gun at Rose and took out four of my men so fast all I could do was shoot the little cat in its head.”
I turned to him.
Leo shrugged. “Something had to get his attention. It was either the cat or the female reporter. Which would you have preferred?”
I looked back at the iPad.
Now, tears streamed down Dima’s face as he gently stroked the dead cat’s fur.
Lei gripped that iPad hard. “What the fuck do you want, Father?”
“Do not curse in front of the child.”
We both turned back at Leo and glared.
Was he fucking serious?
Lei raised his voice. “What? Do? You? Want?!!”
Chapter forty-two
This is Bigger Than Treasure
Moni
As I stood there, frozen in shock, the image on the iPad burned into my mind. The dead white cat, limp in Dima’s lap, its fur stained with blood. Dima’s tears flowing down his face as he stroked the cat, trying to comfort a creature that was already gone. Rose sitting beside him, lost and suffering.
My heart clenched painfully.
Leo had done it—he had crossed a line that wasn’t about power or control. He had hurt Dima in the most intimate, unexpected way. And now, he sat here, watching us with that eerie, emotionless smile, as if the death of the cat meant nothing.
Because to him, it probably didn’t.
It was just a move in his twisted game, a means to get Dima’s attention and remind him who held the power.
But to Dima?
To Rose?
God, they would be broken. This didn’t seem like it was just a pet.
Dima would be shattered.
And Rose—how would she feel knowing that she was possibly the reason Dima’s cat was dead?
A sense of dread washed over me.
What if this broke them?
My throat tightened and I had to force myself to breathe.
I did my best to appear as calm as I could, but on the inside, I was crumbling.
Because I knew—this was just the beginning.
Leo wasn’t finished with us yet.
This was only the first step in whatever twisted plan he had in mind and I was terrified of what would come next.
We stared at Leo, waiting for the sick bastard to answer us.
When he did, he simply shrugged. “I know you’re not happy with that image on the iPad, but I just wanted you to see why you should be careful during my visit here. I wouldn’t want to harm Dima tonight. Not when all is going well with the Diamond Syndicate.”
Now that Barbara Whiskers is gone, all might not be well.
He placed his view on me. “I believe after this cookout Rowe Street Mob and the Four Aces, will be on a path to harmony.”
I frowned. “Dima will be pissed about Barbara Whiskers—”
“I did that. Not Lei. He will want revenge from me. If Lei is victorious, he will show Dima my head tomorrow night. All will be fine.”
Song—finally done licking the plate—sighed and set it down on the table next to him. “I think it is time to go, brother. Moni is here. If Rowe Street Mob finds out what’s going on, things can get tricky.”
I blinked. “What do you mean? Moni is here. W-what does that have to do with anything?”
TT frowned as she watched me.
Whatever he wanted, he would get it.
I know this motherfucker isn’t about to kidnap me again.
Lei must have understood my thinking too. “Fuck no. You’re not taking Moni anywhere.”
“We must.” Leo held up his free hand. “Now, why don’t we all take a deep breath and enjoy this moment together? No need for rash decisions. You know what happens when people act recklessly.”
I gripped Lei’s arm, my own fear barely contained.