Page 37 of Cruel Devotion

“Let me respectfully stop you right there, Monique.” Chen cleared his throat. “You are not a Friend of the Diamond Syndicate—”

“Banks said that I am—”

“Because Banks is making a move on the Diamond Syndicate chess board—”

“My cousin wouldn’t play me as a piece—”

“While Banks did not put you on the board as a piece, you must understand that youareon the board.”

“I’m just hanging with Lei until he deals with his father. That is it. This makes me a friend to—”

“The Four Aces, not the Diamond Syndicate.” Also slowing his pace, Chen raised one finger. “That is a very important statement thatwemust agree on. You are our friend, not the entire Syndicate’s friend.”

“Who must agree on?”

“You and I.”

“I’m not lying to my cousin.”

“You won’t be lying. His men will be here, just not around you.”

“Why can’t they be around me?”

Chen abruptly stopped while his mini army of blue continued marching forward. “Monique. . .”

I stopped and looked at him. “Yes?”

“Somehow, today I was able to stop Duck and Lei from killing each other overyou.”

“What?”

“Well. . .perhaps Lei would not kill my brother but surely he intended that Duck go into the hospital.”

“How is Duck?”

“He is fine.”

“And Lei?”

“Doing well too.”

Relief poured over me. “Good.”

“It is good. Now, let’s maintain that.” Chen gave me a smile. “At first, I was worried about your presence here. Lei basicallykidnapped you plus you have a clear connection to the South. It all seemed like a boiling pot about to spill over.”

I widened my eyes.

“But. . .I now think that you and I could work together. In fact, consider us partners.”

“Partners?”

“I believe that you are the reason Lei is finally giving Chanel’s body back to her family.”

“Maybe.”

“He is also sleeping, eating, and showering. These are things he refused to do upon Chanel’s. . .demise.”

“Okay, I get all of that, Chen. But what does that have to do with my promise to Banks?”

---