Page 44 of Cruel Devotion

Determined to assert myself, I attempted to grab their attention. “Banks,Ichose to be with them.”

“And for that, Moni, I’m going to be patient.”

Chen nodded. “Your patience has also been noted and appreciated.”

“Good. Because now that Moni is involved and my uncle has been killed by the Four Aces’ past Mountain Master, my patience is very close to taking a clear dive into the realm of wanting to shoot every asshole wearing blue and setting fire to the East.”

“Wow.” I gently touched Bank’s arm. “We’re not doing that, cuz. They’ve been good to me.”

“They better be.” Banks took a step back and moved my hand from his arm. “Because I’m just waiting for a reason.”

Chen sighed. “I assure you that Lei has been respectable to your cousin and will continue to do so—”

“And shewillwear white.” Banks scowled. “If Lei wants to put blue on my cousin then make sure a fucking ring is on her finger too.”

I widened my eyes. “Hey. . .can we just calm down?”

Banks pointed at Chen’s head. “I should put holes in your fucking skull forthatmove. Lei knew what he was doing, putting blue on her. Soon as you realized Moni came from the South, you should have hit my line.”

Chen’s smile disappeared. “As you have already said, Lei has not been thinking properly due to Chanel’s death. Therefore, I ask that you see this as amistakeand not disrespect.”

“Monique is not Chanel. Lei better not bring that obsession-stalker shit my cousin’s way.” Banks’s voice rose. “You understand me, Mr. Deputy Mountain Master!”

I shivered.

Chen’s mini army reacted, taking a synchronized step our way and pulling out their weapons.

The sea of green rippled, yanking out guns and sharpened items.

“Okay.” I rubbed my hands together. “I think everyone has said what they needed to say—”

“You see Marcelo around here?” Banks gestured behind him. “Do you, Chen?”

“I don’t see him.”

“You’re smart.” Banks tapped the side of his head. “What do you think that means?”

“I would assume that Marcelo’s absence means that you didn’t think he would be able to control his temper, if he was here.”

What the fuck?

Banks winked. “You would be right.”

Chen’s voice remained steady, cutting through the tension. “Banks, I would like you to imagine that the love of your life has been killed by your father and now you seek revenge, this would mean that your mental state is not in the best—”

“None of that shit has anything to do withmyblood!” Spit flew out of Banks’s mouth. “My! Blood!”

I shivered again and kept my voice low. “Banks, I’ve been perfectly safe here. This is unnecessary.”

A neutral expression covered Chen’s face. “We respect your concern for Monique. She is our guest—”

“No. She is aFriendof the Syndicate.” Banks smiled and there was no warmth or friendliness there. “For your information, Dima has already been brought into the fold and certified her status. Official records are in ink and logged.”

Who the hell is Dima? Official records?

Chen parted his lips. “You called Dima?”

“Marcelo is with Dima now, having dinner and updating him on the fact that my cousin is here. We don’t know what Lei’s intentions are for Moni, but we all agree that Moni should be a proper friend due to her father being killed by Leo and her accidentally getting mixed up in this bloody mess.”

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