Page 138 of Cruel Devotion

“And my men? They were supposed to report and their fucking messages don't sound like them—”

“Alright, so I need to get back to you about your men—”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“A lot has happened—”

“I sent them to watch your back—”

“You did, but I am also watching my own back and—”

“Moni—”

“Banks, be quiet and let me talk!”

Banks fell silent on the other end.

Thank God.

I swallowed. “I appreciate your concern, Banks, but I assure you that I am capable of taking care of myself. And. . .”

How is Marcy and him going to take this?

I cleared my throat. “And instead of being a Friend of the Diamond Syndicate, I decided to petition Lei and his key officials to grant me the title of Friend of the Four Aces.”

Banks snorted. “And how did that work out for you?”

“I got it.”

Banks remained quiet.

I began to slowly pace in the tent. “But not all of the Council members voted in my favor.”

There was a brief silence before Banks spoke again, “Who didn't vote for you?”

“Chen and Duck, they both thought that I should be. . .Mountain Mistress instead. . .”

Alright. I said it. Let's see what he says.

There was a momentary pause before Banks continued with a note of caution in his voice. “Mountain Mistress?”

“Yes.”

“Sitting on the throne next to Lei?”

I shivered. “Yes, but that's not what I'm going after. I chose Friend of the Four Aces instead because—”

“Oh no. We will not so quickly get off the Mountain Mistress topic.”

I paused from pacing. “Fine.”

“Mountain Mistress?”

“Yes, Banks.”

“Lei's. . .woman. Probably eventually his wife.”

“Apparently, his father Leo chose me to—”

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