Page 226 of Sweet Dominion

God, they would be broken. This didn’t seem like it was just a pet.

Dima would be shattered.

And Rose—how would she feel knowing that she was possibly the reason Dima’s cat was dead?

A sense of dread washed over me.

What if this broke them?

My throat tightened and I had to force myself to breathe.

I did my best to appear as calm as I could, but on the inside, I was crumbling.

Because I knew—this was just the beginning.

Leo wasn’t finished with us yet.

This was only the first step in whatever twisted plan he had in mind and I was terrified of what would come next.

We stared at Leo, waiting for the sick bastard to answer us.

When he did, he simply shrugged. “I know you’re not happy with that image on the iPad, but I just wanted you to see why you should be careful during my visit here. I wouldn’t want to harm Dima tonight. Not when all is going well with the Diamond Syndicate.”

Now that Barbara Whiskers is gone, all might not be well.

He placed his view on me. “I believe after this cookout Rowe Street Mob and the Four Aces, will be on a path to harmony.”

I frowned. “Dima will be pissed about Barbara Whiskers—”

“Idid that. Not Lei. He will want revenge fromme. If Lei is victorious, he will show Dima my head tomorrow night. All will be fine.”

Song—finally done licking the plate—sighed and set it down on the table next to him. “I think it is time to go, brother. Moni is here. If Rowe Street Mob finds out what’s going on, things can get tricky.”

I blinked. “What do you mean? Moni is here. W-what does that have to do with anything?”

TT frowned as she watched me.

Whatever he wanted, he would get it.

I know this motherfucker isn’t about to kidnap me again.

Lei must have understood my thinking too. “Fuck no. You’re not taking Moni anywhere.”

“We must.” Leo held up his free hand. “Now, why don’t we all take a deep breath and enjoy this moment together? No need for rash decisions. You know what happens when people act recklessly.”

I gripped Lei’s arm, my own fear barely contained.

He was on the edge and I knew what he was capable of when pushed too far. But this wasn’t just about us.

It was about TT, Dima, and Rose too.

“Lei,” I whispered. “Please. . .think about TT. Think about Dima and Rose. We can’t let him hurt them.”

Lei’s fists clenched at his sides. Rage radiated off him in waves, but he didn’t move. His eyes stayed locked on Leo. “Please. . .father. . .don’t do this.”

Leo sat back, clearly enjoying the control he had over us. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes. The map. TT, show Moni and my son the rest of the verses.”

TT scratched the side of her head and then cleared her throat. “Okay.”

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