Page 97 of Sweet Dominion

Lei

I had faced hundreds of murderous enemies in Diamond Syndicate wars, stared down the edge of sharp, poisoned blades, and walked through streets soaked in blood and flooded with dead bodies, after a mega gun battle.

Yet, standing here, extending my hand to Moni’s sister, Jo. . .my heart pounded in a way it never had before. It was a hammer battering my ribcage, threatening to burst through.

Explode.

And the weight of Jo’s deafening silence hung between us, as sharp and heavy as any deadly sword.

Jo didn’t take my hand. Instead, she stared at it with a look that could have sliced through my soul.

My throat tightened, yet I kept my hand steady and my expression calm.

Moni’s other two sisters watched, probably waiting to see how this moment would unfold.

And unfortunately, I could feel Moni’s anxiety next to me, pulsing.

Rising.

I had killed many men and survived the most treacherous situations.

Surely, I could facethischallenge.

Surely, I could win Moni’s sisters over.

Yet, as Jo’s stare pierced through me, I realized this was not a battle I could win with brute force or intimidation.

I won’t be able to Mountain Master her.

This was a different kind of challenge, one that required a softness I had not often allowed myself to show.

Give her time.

I finally lowered my hand, letting it fall back to my side. A part of me felt a sharp sting of rejection, but I pushed it aside.

Family was sacred and these three were the people Moni loved most in the world. Now they were part of my world too. Therefore, it was my responsibility to make sure they were protected, respected, and cherished, whether they accepted me or not.

Next to me, Moni sucked her teeth. “Jo, there’s no need to be rude—”

“I don’t know where his hand has been.” Jo dove her hands in her pockets and watched me. “I just don’t go around shaking everybody’s hand like that.”

“I understand.” Nodding, I kept my voice relaxed. “I also understand this situation must be overwhelming too. This place, the people. . .it will be a lot to take in.”

Jo’s gaze didn’t soften, but she didn’t walk away either.

I took that as a small victory as I studied these new three sisters entering my life. Each of them had their own expressions—Jo’s defiance, Chloe’s curiosity, and TT’s cautious wonder.

“I know I’m not what you expected—”

“I didn’t expect anything.” Jo frowned. “Because mostly I’ve been in the dark about everything.”

“Girl, that is not what we are doing right now.” Moni had an expression that I had never seen before, tense and authoritative like someone was about to get a whipping. “Lose the attitude, Jo. I have been dealing with all types of crazy shit while you three were safe in the South, just to make sure our lives were better—”

“Nobody told you that you had to do that by yourself—”

“And nobody toldyouto come over here and be rude for no damn reason—”

“I’m being rude? This man got you on TV like you’re the First Lady and he hasn’t even taken the time to meetusor meet the rest of your family and get our permission.” Jo scowled at me and pointed at my chest. “You don’t own my sister. I’m telling you that right now. You’ll have to go through us.”

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