Page 123 of Cruel Devotion

“Monique.” I did my best to not meet her glare with my own angry expression. “Why are you wearing white?”

“Where is my phone?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Where? Is?Myphone?”

The line of my jaw twitched. “I asked you a question first.”

“Lei, I don't give a fuck aboutyourquestion. I wantmyphone.”

It was petty but I sneered. “You'll get it once you change.”

“I want it now.”

“It isn't here.”

“Then, where is it?”

“I planned a day for us so the phone is there.”

“And you didn't think that I would want my phonenow?”

“No.”

“Because what? You thought I was just sitting on the mountain, twiddling my thumbs and writing poetry about my obedience to you?”

I gritted my teeth. “No. I just didn't want—”

“That was disrespectful.”

It took everything in me to not yell. Not many people could speak to me this way and the ones that could were very skilled in death. I swallowed and then let out a long breath. “I apologize. You're right. I shouldn't have taken your phone.”

“Why did you take it?”

“I didn't want you to call Banks.”

“That's fucked up, Lei.”

“But it's the truth. I lost. . .Chanel. I didn't want to lose you.”

“I didn't get to talk to my sisters.”

“I'm sorry.”

“That's not enough.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then, what can I do to make this up?”

“Call everyone over here.”

I leaned my head to the side. “What?”

She glanced behind me and pointed. “Good. At least they are getting off the helicopter. Come here, Chen!”

I raised my eyebrows. “We don't need Chen.”

“We do.” She pointed in another direction. “Hu! Duck! Please, come here.”

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