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)
“Banks, Lei has to focus on winning against his father. Do you understand the emotional toll that it is going to take on him. He has to train—”
“Sounds like Lei is training more with you than where he should be—”
“Banks, call the men off, and don't give me that Marcelo has to do it bullshit. You and he act like fucking twins birthed from the same womb. If you pull them back, Marcelo will respect the decision.”
Edge laced his voice. “You better be safe.”
“I am.”
“Not one fucking scratch or anyone bothering you—”
“I'm more than good, Banks. Lei's men carry me around on this gold and blue chair like I'm Cleopatra. And when we had a feast, I was on this throne.”
Banks let out a long breath.
“What?”
“Is this really happening?”
“The only thing that is happening is that I am a Friend of the Four Aces.”
“Moni.”
“What?”
“I need to talk to you twice a day—morning and night.”
“Okay.”
“I want to know that you are safe and keep me up-to-date.”
“I will.”
“I don't like this.”
“I know.”
“But I also believe that you are smart as hell, and. . .maybe. . .just maybe, you can navigate this shit safely.”
I swallowed. “Thank you, Banks.”
“I will murder them all if anything happens to you.”
“Nothing will happen.”
“And make sure Lei understands that my men will be well compensated for the pain and injuries he gave them.”
I blinked. “If that is the case then I will make sure of that.”
“And when you meet with Dima, let me be there for the introduction.”
“That's fair.”
“Remember, Moni. I'll always be here for you if things go bad.”
“Your support means a lot to me, cousin.”
“Alright then,” he said with a hint of resignation. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“And your men around the mountain?”
“I'll pull them back. I want you to look good on your first day as a Friend.”
I smirked. “Thanks, cousin.”
“You miss a call and we storm the mountain.”
“I got it.”
“I'm not fucking around, Moni.”
“I got it, and Banks, thank you.”
“We're family, Moni. That's what we do.”
“True.” A smile tugged at my lips. “So. . .before we go. How are my sweet and innocent sisters?”
“Jo is working. She thinks she owns that comic book store. If you all go to the East. . .she may not come.”
I frowned. “Why not? I can get her a car to—”
“I already bought her a new car. It's not that.”
“Then, what?”
“Every time she goes to work, she'll have to wear blue in the East, then drive over to the South and change into green, and then when she returns, she'll have to put blue back on. That shit will annoy her. She might as well live with us for a while.”
“It would annoy her but that's my road dog. She's coming with us.”
“We’ll see. She’s also building quite a stable of women around here in the South.”
I laughed. “And how are Cloe and T.T.?”
“Chloe is a hot mess. It's been a job to keep her off the streets and away from boys.”
“Yeah?”
“I'm sending guards with her when you all go to the East.”
“And I'll gladly take them. I need all the help I can get with that girl.”
We both laughed, and it reminded me of the good old times when Banks and I would just sit in front of the TV and joke around.
I grinned. “And how is T.T.?”
“Right now, she's around the corner, spying on our call. She thinks I don't know.” Banks raised his voice. “T.T., you might as well come in here and say hi with your nosy self.”
My heart ached. “Put her on the phone.”
A half a minute went by. Then, there was a fumbling of the phone being passed. Soon, her sweet little voice came on the line. “Moni!”
“Hey, baby sis.”
“Where are you?”
“I'm on a mountain.”
“What? How did that happen?”
“I made some new friends.”
“Banks thinks they are dangerous.”
I shook my head. “Yes, but I have it under control and stay out of grown folks business.”
“When are you coming back?”
“Soon. Give me four days.”
She let out an exasperated breath. “That's forever.”
“It really isn't.”
“But. . .there's been new developments.”
“What new developments?”
“I've been looking up more on Crownsville's treasure!”
Oh my God. To be young again and one-track minded.
I couldn't help but chuckle. “What's new?”
“Banks took me to the museum in the West, and I got two new books. One of them talks about the Bandit's map.”
The image of a weathered parchment crisscrossed with lines and X marks floated into my mind.
My interest piqued. “Cool. Tell me about it.”
“It's not like a regular map.” T.T.'s voice dropped to an excited hush. “It’s broken down into puzzle pieces, so not just anybody could find the treasures. Only the smartest would get them. The most-worthy.”
I checked my watch. “Puzzle pieces, huh? That sounds. . .intricate.”
“It is! The book says that the pieces are scattered, hidden where only true hearts can find them.” I could hear the rustle of pages, presumably T.T. flipping through one of her notebooks. “And I'm going to find every single piece, Moni. I'm going to solve the puzzle.”