Page 160 of Sweet Dominion

Warmth hit my heart. “You think so?”

“Definitely.”

“Banks is worried about us being in the East.”

“No. He’s just being protective. I think deep down inside he knows that Lei will never hurt you. At least not physically.” He kept his gaze on me. “But I have a tough question for you.”

“Go ahead and ask it.”

“Do you think Lei has fully mourned Chanel?”

“I hope so because. . .I’m not going back.”

“Interesting.”

We arrived at the library and I guided him in.

A dark chuckle left him. “Good choice, Moni.”

“I figured you would like this room.”

“I more than like this room. Now I’m moving in.” A wicked smile spread across his face. “Who will give Lei the bad news?”

I laughed.

“Oh my.” Einstein scanned the walls lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with special edition blue leather covers, each one more luxurious than the next. The spines gleamed with gold embossing.

A massive, dark wood desk stood in the center of the room, accompanied by two pale blue leather armchairs that looked as though they had been designed for hours of comfortable reading.

Einstein bobbed his head and lightly touched a few of the books. “This is. . . extraordinary.”

I watched as he walked further into the room, his hand grazing the edge of the desk as he moved. His usual composed expression was replaced by something I rarely saw on him—absolute wonder.

“This place is like something out of a dream,” Genuine awe laced his voice. “I’ve seen luxurious libraries before, but this. . .the attention to detail, the care that’s gone into every aspect of it. . .it’s breathtaking.”

On the ceiling, a blue dragon wore glasses and read a book.

Einstein chuckled at the dragon and then picked up a novel. “Little Women, but in blue leather and a gold emboss saying that it belongs to Lotus Blossom. Perfection.”

“Oh really?”

“Each edition was clearly made foronlythis library.” Einstein slipped his fingers along the gold tipped pages. “Marvelous. I’m now inspired to redo my own home library.”

He put the book back, moved to the end of a bookshelf and gently pulled out a turquoise leather-bound book, inspecting the cover. “Slaughterhouse Five. Mind-blowing”

“Feel free to borrow a few books.”

“I just might.”

“Good. Just bring them back when you’re done.”

“Of course.” Einstein placed the book back on the shelf and then looked at me. “However. . .I know you didn’t just ask me to come on this house tour to see these books.”

I smiled. “You never disappoint when it comes to outthinking someone.”

“What do you want to talk about, Moni?”

I walked over to him. “Marcelo hates to read and only memorizes old sports’ stats. While he has a mind for expansion and executing power moves, he wouldn’t think them up. He leaves that part to you.”

---