Page 92 of Sweet Dominion

Aunt Min shrieked behind us. “Duck!”

Aunt Suzi hit his back. “Not the ladies!”

Duck looked at us like we were crazy. “Hey, they asked to see it.”

Lei scowled. “We’ll be talking later.”

Duck cleared his throat. “Yes, Mountain Master.”

The helicopters got closer.

I looked at Lei. His eyes were calm as he watched the approaching helicopter, his grip on my hand never wavering. The firm set of his jaw told me he was as ready as I was, but also as nervous and hopeful.

I leaned his way and whispered, “They’ll love you.”

He swallowed.

Suddenly, the chopper was over us. Dust and leaves rushed up and swirled, making it hard to breathe.

The helicopter descended, its blades whipping up a gust of wind that sent more loose leaves and dust swirling.

Lei and I stepped a few feet forward.

God, I hope they love the place.

I stood on tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse of my sisters through the helicopter's windows, but I couldn’t see anything.

My heart pounded in my chest as it landed and the door opened.

Oh.

Disappointment washed over me when I saw it was only the DJ with his equipment.

I turned to Lei, trying to mask my frustration with a smile. “That's Hendrix. Banks always uses him for parties.”

Lei nodded, appearing mildly interested. “Well, at least the DJ is here. Let's hope he knows how to play good music, or Aunt Suzi might just kill him.”

“You’re joking right?”

He frowned. “She’s my father’s sister.”

I blinked. “Shit. I’ll be sure to tell him to focus on that.”

We shared a brief laugh, but my mind quickly shifted back to the anticipation of my sisters' arrival.

As Hendrix and what I guessed to be his assistant began carrying equipment out of the helicopter, the second helicopter came into view.

My nerves spiked again and I let go of Lei’s hand and hurried over as it landed, the whirring blades gradually slowing down.

Come on. Come on.

The door opened and my heart sank once more. Out stepped Aunt Betty, followed by some young hottie. Dude must have been in his late twenties.

That must be her new boo she went on the cruise with.

Although almost hitting sixty, Aunt Betty looked to be in her thirties and took advantage of that youthful beauty by dating in that age bracket or going even younger.

Banks hated it but being that Aunt Betty had damn near been celibate during most of his childhood, fully dedicated to raising him, his brother, Marcelo and some of the others. . .well everyone ignored the young boyfriends and let her be.

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