Page 164 of Cruel Devotion

The idea of bringing my sisters to this world filled me with excitement. I could already imagine TT's eyes lighting up at the sight of all the sweets.

For some reason, I considered the name of the company and looked back at him. “Zhang? Is that your last name?”

“I didn't tell you my last name when I handcuffed you to me?”

“No. You just kidnapped me.” I grinned. “Is that your last name or not?”

He chuckled. “Yes, that's my last name, but you're saying it a little wrong.”

“Oh.” I eyed him. “How?”

“You're using the z sound, when theZhin Zhang is similar to the Englishj.So, you sayZhangalmost likeJah-ngin a quick, single syllable.”

I repeated the word how he said. “Zhang.”

“Perfect.”

I thought about his father's first name. “So, I always wanted to ask this.”

“Go ahead.”

“Leo is a Chinese name? I have an Uncle Leo on my mother's side so I thought it was interesting that your father’s name was that too.”

Lei gazed off at the window. “Officially, my father's name is actually Zhang Liangwei.”

I took my time pronouncing it. “Jah-ng Lee-ah-ng Way.”

“Excellent.” Lei's eyes sparkled with approval.

“But then where did Leo come from?”

“It's kind of a Western adaptation. Easy to remember and pronounce.”

For some reason, every time Lei answered one thing I had even more questions. However, he sounded completely happy to break it all down for me.

Smiling, I gazed out of the helicopter window. “And the last name comes first?”

“In our culture, the family name is placed before the given name.”

I looked at him. “Why?”

“It puts importance on family.” Sadness washed over his face. “By placing the family name first, we acknowledge the roots from which we come. It's a constant reminder of our family's history, values, and. . .legacy.”

I squeezed his hand. “What's wrong? Talk to me.”

“Talking about this makes me think that killing my father is. . .dishonoring my family, my legacy. . .even my ancestors. . .”

“He wants you to do it.” I swallowed. “That’s the part you have to focus on.”

His voice went low. “That’s true, but um. . .let's talk about something else.”

“Yes.” I rubbed the inside of his palm and went back to the window. “The East is breathtaking. You're lucky to have grown up here.”

The helicopter gracefully maneuvered over the East.

I spotted the ocean far off in the distance. “You all have a beach?”

“We do.”

---