Page 19 of Sweet Dominion

“Long enough to know that we need to act carefully. What do you think a smart thing would be for you to do?” He watched me and I knew this was all a test to see if I could strategize and manipulate properly.

“I should give that information to Dima and Kashmere.”

A wide smile spread across his face. “Exactly. They need to know what Marcelo is up to. Dima would look further into this and Kashmere—”

“Would go ballistic.”

“And all you would do is relax in the East, further strengthening your relationship with Monique, loving and spoiling her. Let the North and West become mistrustful of the South.”

I hated to admit this but my father’s suggestion would be a much easier plan to execute. Even more, it would keep my hands clean and honestly. . .Marcelo’s undoing would be his own fault, not mine.

Secret dealings in Shadow Heights? What were you thinking, Marcelo? Dima would never forgive you for that.

“Of course.” My father raised one finger. “You cannot rush this. You should secretly gather more evidence. Have your people follow them. Perhaps, even send Chen and Duck to talk to the gangs. Regardless, make sure the North and West see Marcelo as a possible threat themselves.”

I leaned back in my seat. “I can do that.”

“Excellent.” He breathed out a sigh of relief. “Trust in the plan. Marcelo will get what’s coming to him and Monique will be none the wiser. I want my daughter to be happy here.”

I blinked. “Your daughter?”

“You do plan to marry her? Right?”

“Yes, but. . .”

“Then, she is my daughter.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “Allow me to enjoy that fact while I have. . .limited time on this Earth.”

I didn’t share the laugh with him. “She doesn’t want me to kill you.”

“Of course not. She’s a good person. The East doesn’t deserve her, but. . .you will kill me.” He studied my face, “can you do it?”

“I think I can.”

“Don’t think, my son, know it.” He touched his head. “Feel the certainty of that fact deep inside of your mind.”

This was my father—a man who put tradition over life, death over love.

To my surprise, my father pointed behind us to the huge picture of my mother and Moni’s mother, framed in gold. “Whose idea was that?”

“Mine.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Aww.” His usually stoic expression faltered and for a moment, I thought I saw his eyes water. It was a side of him rarely shown; a vulnerability he kept hidden beneath layers of ruthlessness.

He cleared his throat. “I am proud of the man you have become, Lei.”

Shock hit me.

Those words hung in the air, laden with a significance that would have once meanteverythingto me. There was a time when my father’s approval was all I sought. His praise could lift up my day, his disappointment could ruin an entire year.

But now, those words didn’t hold the power they once did.

No longer was he a god in my eyes—a figure of untouchable strength and wisdom.

Now, he was simply a man and a broken one at that.

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