Page 123 of Sweet Dominion

Everyone put their gaze on him.

“There is a tradition in the East.” Lei gestured to my sisters. “When new members join our family, we offer them gifts. It’s away of welcoming them, of showing that they are valued, that they belong.”

He paused, letting his words sink in.

I could see the emotion in his eyes, the sincerity that made him the man I loved.

Don’t worry. They will like you if I have to force it.

“This tradition started long ago,” he continued, “as a way to bond new members to the family, to make them feel at home in a place that might be strange and unfamiliar. It’s a gesture of unity. Of trust.”

A swell of pride hit my chest.

I checked my sisters.

He definitely had their attention.

Even Jo watched him with interest.

“Therefore,” Lei’s gaze swept over them. “I humbly ask you to receive these gifts as symbols of our new bond and of the family we are creating together.”

I could feel my sisters’ excitement mingling with my own.

Jo tried to keep a straight face, but I knew she liked the attention.

How long had we sat in Glory feeling alone and disconnected?

Thinking no one loved us, not even God.

Granted, part of that was my fault. After Mom passed perhaps, I was too depressed to seek the proper help from my family. Additionally, I just thought. . .Ishoulddo it all myself.

Now I’d learned that was the wrong way of handling it all.

I smiled at Jo.

That’s right. We’ve got more family and more help. . .you’ll have to get used to it like me.

Lei turned to Jo.

But to my disappointment, her stance turned defensive as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest like she was trying to shield herself from whatever was coming.

There you go with that bullshit again.

I knew that look all too well. Jo was stubborn, fiercely independent, and proud to a fault. . .just like me. She didn’t take handouts from anyone, especially not from people she didn’t know well.

Lei nodded at her. “And now for your gift, Jo.”

Jo narrowed her eyes and tilted her chin up defiantly. “I don’t take gifts from strangers.”

Lei smiled, completely unfazed by her attitude. “You’ll take this one.”

Jo blinked.

Lei gestured toward the massive container and one of his men stepped inside.

Well. . .at least we’ll see what he got her.

The air ran thick with anticipation.

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