Page 45 of Cruel Devotion

An edge hit Chen’s words. “That was not necessary.”

Banks wagged his finger. “Naw. I thought you would try to be cute, Chen. I’m sure you had some plan working in your head. That’s why not only our men will be here,but guards from the Flower Mafia will be arriving soon to protect Moni too.”

Chen’s jaw tightened.

“Banks.” My bottom lip quivered. “We agreed to only five of your men.”

“We did.” Banks shrugged. “I have nothing to do with Dima sending his people your way. That’s for Lei and you to figure out.”

Banks and Chen silently glared at each other.

For the first time, I thought Chen was very close to attacking him.

Meanwhile, Banks looked like he was praying Chen would.

I cleared my throat. “Okay. . .I don’t want any more fighting today. Please. . .”

Banks didn’t glance my way. “Are you sure that you’re safe, Moni?”

“Yes.”

“My men stay with you the whole time.”

“They will.”

Banks winked at Chen again. “Okay then.”

I sighed.

Banks studied Chen. “I heard that you were really good at diffusing bombs. Is that true, Chen?”

What?

I turned to Chen.

Annoyance laced Chen’s voice. “I know my way around explosives.”

Banks leaned in. His grin was all teeth. “You know, I’ve always been curious about that. How exactly do you diffuse a ticking bomb?”

Chen’s gaze remained unflinching. “You see, it’s all about understanding the mechanism, the intent behind the design. Some are simple, a straightforward cut of the right wire. Others, well, they’re designed to be deceptive, to lure you into making a mistake.”

Banks smirked. “Sounds risky.”

“It’s all about patience and precision,” Chen countered, his voice steady. “And knowing when to walk away.”

Banks chuckled. “And do you ever walk away, Chen?”

“Only when it’s a bomb not worth diffusing.”

The thinly veiled threat hung between them, thickening the atmosphere. I could feel my heart racing, the adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

Banks’ face darkened. “And if a bomb is about to explode, it’s better to ensure it’s not in one’s own hands. Right?”

“That is correct.”

For a moment, I thought Banks would erupt, but instead, he laughed, a cold, hollow sound. “Then, it might be smart to make sure your hands are empty inthissituation. Clean even. We wouldn’t want you to lose them. Right?”

“We wouldn’t.”

---