Page 11 of Savage Throne
Like wolves at night peeking out from darkness.
My palms grew slick with sweat.
Off in the distance, DJ Hendrix’s music still played among the faint sounds of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the murmur of conversations.
It was surreal—the contrast between the normalcy of the party and the horrifying darkness that surrounded me now.
Everyone at the cookout had no idea that I was slipping away with Leo, no idea of the weight of the decision I was making by walking beside him instead of running toward Lei and my sisters.
And. . .dear God, my legs itched with the urge to bolt, to disappear and hide behind the safety of Lei’s arms, to pretend that none of this was happening. I could see the path in my mind—cutting through the gardens, back to the safety of Lotus Blossom, back to my family.
I could signal Aunt Min and them.
Duck too.
Banks and Marcy.
It would be a fucking war for sure.
Who would win?
I turned to Leo, and he was watching me. I bet he already knew what was going on in my mind. Bet he had even guessed my current thoughts hours ago and had a plan in place for that.
No. Don’t run. The man killed an innocent cat and his daughter. He’d slice up Rowe Street Mob with no problem.
Swallowing, I took him in further and then I saw it—the flash of silver in his hand.
A blade.
Moonlight gleamed off the sharp edge.
He had that blade out for me. . .
There would be no running.
“Monique.” Leo walked over to me.
I tensed.
He got close, too fucking close, as if daring me to try and slip away. “You will not regret coming with me.”
“I hope not.”
A cool wind blew past us.
I hugged myself.
Leo leaned his head to the side. “Are you cold?”
“A little but I’ll be fine.”
“No.” He took off his own blue jacket and handed it to me. “Queens walk in comfort.”
“Thank you.” I grabbed the jacket and slipped into it, feeling the warmth that still lingered from his body. Leo’s scent was on it too—a mixture of smoke and pine.
That scent intensified as I zipped it up and the thick fabric closed around me.
Leo smiled and this one was kind and loving. “Better?”
