Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
“No, no. I get it. But shit’s getting out of hand, and you need someone to watch your back. We got you.”
“Okay. Let me talk to him. Figure something out. I’ll try to call later today. Maybe something tonight. I don’t know,” West murmured. His brain was still a swirling mess.
The guys were here!
In the royal city of Jin!
It was the best and scariest of news. He wasn’t going to be the only one tracking down these assassins and protecting both of the princes. It didn’t matter if the contract was on Jin’s head; Ming Tao was in danger too.
“K, do me a favor. Call in the Colorado experts.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. If we’re going to be outnumbered, I want the experts here to keep the royal family safe. Whatever their fee, I’ll pay it.”
Kairo laughed. “Man, I talked to Justin briefly. He wanted to join in the fun immediately. I’m surprised they didn’t beat us all here. I doubt he’s going to charge for this. But, yeah, I’ll pass along the request.”
West hung up shortly after that and shoved his phone back into his pocket. The team was talented, but having two of the world’s most deadly assassins on hand to protect the Jins was even better.
He returned to his place at the table on Jin’s left. The crown prince appeared ready to jump out of his seat to meet West, which was fine with him since he was more than prepared to pull Jin to his feet so he could hold him. The idea of any harm coming to this man made him sick to his stomach. A fine chill coated his skin, and his heart hammered away just short of panic.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened with your friends?” Jin inquired. “Are they really here in Gaoxing?”
“I received some disturbing news.” West sat in his chair and glanced over his shoulder at Qin.
“Qin, could you—” Jin started to request, but Qin was shaking his head, looking resolute.
“No. You can fire me now. Or lock me up. There’s no way I’m leaving the room. If he got bad news that’s left him this shaken, it’s a safe bet it has to do with you, and I’m not leaving.” Qin even spread his legs and crossed his arms over his chest with the tablet clenched, his entire body braced as if he expected guards to rush in and remove him.
West smirked. Now he hoped that Kairo’s research on Qin came back clean. “It’s okay. We could use his help.” The spot of lightness almost instantly dimmed as he took Jin’s hand in his own. “There’s a new contract out on your life.”
“What?” Both Jin and Ming Tao demanded.
Jin’s mouth hung open for a second. He finally managed to stammer, “I…how…you know that I didn’t…”
“I know,” West cut him off before he could say something that would enlighten Ming Tao or Qin about the origin of the first contract. “This is a new person who wants you dead. The bounty is fifteen million euros.” He paused and licked his lips, directing his gaze at Qin again. “There are clues that this could be an insider, because there’s information included regarding the crown prince’s schedule and regular movements.”
Qin’s pallor turned deathly white as his tablet slipped from dead fingers to thud on the thick carpet. The assistant fell to his knees in front of the prince and West caught a flash of tear-filled eyes as he kowtowed, his forehead thumping against the carpet.
“Dianxia, never in my life by deed or word have I betrayed the Jin family. I would happily die in service to the crown.” Qin’s words were muffled and sounded as if he were on the brink of sobbing. Just the idea that he might be a suspect was threatening to break him.
“No! Not Qin. Of course you wouldn’t. No one would suspect…” But Jin’s words died off when he met West’s hard look.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m having Qin’s background and life investigated for your own safety.” West swallowed hard and glanced over at Ming Tao, whose eyes widened. “I’m having everyone close to you checked.”
Ming Tao let out a bitter laugh as he glared at West. “Why not? It’s classic. The younger brother killing the older to get the throne. I’m your first choice, right?”
“Ming-di, no!” Jin gasped. He gripped West’s hand in both of his. “You can’t believe that. My brother would never hurt me. He doesn’t want the throne. He’s already threatened to abdicate if something happens to me.”
“No,” West said, still holding Ming Tao’s glare. “I don’t believe he’d hurt you. Like Qin, I think he’d die to keep you safe.” He smirked when Ming Tao’s mouth fell open, but no sound came out.
“Then why are you investigating them?” Jin demanded.