Page 11 of Cruel Devotion

I swallowed. “It doesn’t matter what Monique wants when it comes to you.”

They watched me.

Shock hit Chen’s and Hu’s faces while annoyance covered Duck’s.

“She can be interested in you.” I fisted my hands in my pockets. “In fact, she could badly want you.”

Duck put his view on the ground.

“But I would never let it happen.” I took one hand out of my pocket and touched my chest. “I don’t have that thing inside of me to even let it happen.”

Duck seethed.

I gestured to Hu and then Chen. “What would that thing be? The organ or emotion that I would need to even be willing to share Monique with Duck? What is it?”

Hu shrugged.

Chen frowned. “A heart, Lei, and a willingness to solely want her to be happy because you care for her.”

I leaned forward so they could all clearly understand me. “I want Monique to myself. Every inch of her and I don’t want to fucking share her with my cousin or any other man.”

Duck looked up and his gaze hardened. “And if you hurt her?”

A lump appeared in my throat.

My mind flashed back to Monique, to her warm smile, her understanding gaze, and the quiet strength she showed in dealing with her own pain.

Despite everything, the last thing I wanted was to cause her more suffering.

I met Duck’s gaze squarely, giving him a firm nod. “I won’t hurt her. I’ll. . .figure this out.”

His eyes searched mine for a long moment. Then, his expression softened and he nodded back.

The tension in the air eased slightly.

“Then, I will give back the panties. . .and step aside.” Duck sighed and walked off.

My heart was heavy with the weight of the promises I’d made but for the first time since Chanel’s death, I felt a sense of clarity.

It wasn’t going to be easy, navigating these choppy emotional waters. But for Monique’s sake, and my own, I was ready to face the storm.

Satisfied enough, I left the ring too.

Movement sounded behind me.

Next, Chen got to my side and kept my pace. “Lei, we have a problem.”

“We have lots of problems, cousin.”

“Your sister is here.”

“We knew Yan would be in Glory today—”

“Not in Glory, Lei. Here.”

I stopped walking and turned to him. “On Mount Utopia?”

“Yan’s people and her have been kept at the entrance for an hour—”

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