Page 139 of Cruel Devotion

“Leo!?” It came out as a shocked shriek.

“Yes. We discovered that Leo had been plotting for at least a year to put me in that title.”

“When the hell did Leo even meet you?”

“I have no idea—”

“You need to know those details—”

“Of course I do. That's my plan once I see Leo at the final battle in. . .” I considered the time that had passed. “Four days.”

Banks let out a loud sigh on the other end of the line. “Moni, this isn't some game. Becoming Mountain Mistress means getting tangled in the deepest parts of Lei's world.”

“I'm not going to be that. I went for —”

“Yes. Friend of the Four Aces but if Chen raised Mountain Mistress up then that tells me the promotion is just a matter of time.”

I gritted my teeth. “I'm handling it.”

Banks scoffed. “You think a few victories against the Council is enough? You haven't seen the real darkness that lies within the Four Aces.”

His words stung but I refused to let doubt creep in. “I understand that there's more to their world than what I've experienced so far. I know their cruel and very dark history.”

“You don't know it.”

I considered theEssence of the Cloud Dragon.“I know more than you think.”

There was a lengthy pause before Banks finally spoke, “I don't want nothing to happen to you.”

“I know.”

“I don't like that Lei has gotten his fucking claws into you, and you've been mourning. You may be emotional and not thinking clearly—”

“Banks. . .”

“Yes?”

I closed my eyes. “I like Lei. . .a lot.”

Banks let out a heavy sigh. “He's dangerous, and he has a lot of enemies. Getting involved with him is a risk.”

“I understand the risks.”

“And. . .not to mention the fact that he gets obsessed.”

I opened my eyes. “I'm well aware of that too. Lei may be ruthless and powerful but I'm not afraid of him.”

“Of course you're not. It's clear that he must like you too. Especially if he won't let you go and Chen already sees you as Mountain Mistress.”

“I want you to pull your men back from the mountain.”

“That was Marcelo's doing, not mine.”

“Then, tell Marcy to stop.”

“You're going to have to tell him yourself.”

I blinked. “Fine.”

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