Page 48 of Cruel Devotion

Hopefully, Lei is more reasonable than Banks.

To my right, the sun was setting. It’s descent represented a vivid masterpiece of fiery oranges and soft pinks lathered in purples and golds.

I gazed up ahead of me.

The mountain path stretched on, a seemingly endless ribbon winding its way up to the peak. Its rugged terrain, combined with the occasional rustling of leaves and distant bird calls, heightened by the sunset’s tranquil beauty.

With each step I took, the weight of the situation bore down on me, like a cloak woven with threads of anxiety.

My heart rate quickened.

A gust of wind, swept past carrying with it the cold touch of the mountain’s altitude and making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Chen walked beside me, silent as a shadow. His face was set in a deep frown.

Every so often, I would catch him casting discreet glances back at the five men trailing us. Those men from Banks, with their green clothes and suitcases they carried, were like foreign elements in this landscape.

Yeah. . .Lei will be reasonable. Right?

The air grew thinner as we ascended, and my breaths came faster. Still, it wasn’t the altitude that bothered me but the heavy weight of uncertainty. The contents of those green suitcases, the pristine white clothes, were at the core of my dilemma.

I could feel the men’s eyes on me, their silent presence a reminder of my cousin’s protective, if overbearing, nature.

I walked closer to Chen and kept my voice low. “So. . .I’m sorry about Banks.”

Chen kept his view on the path ahead. “Banks was Banks.”

“Well, I’m not used to him being so. . .rude and threatening.”

“No, Monique.” Chen shook his head. “If anything, Banks was on his best behavior.”

“Thatwas good behavior?”

Chen nodded. “No one died. Probably because you were there.”

That wasn’t particularly reassuring.

Also, I didn’t want to unpack the fact that Banks killed people.

Don’t think about it. Pretend you didn’t even hear it.

We returned to silence and my mind went back to what had just occurred.

Banks had been clear. Wear white, show everyone that I was neutral.

I just need Lei to see that, but Chen. . .he thinks Lei won’t get it.

Soon, we entered the camp.

Many rushed about with hurried movements and excited chatter.

To my left, two large men struggled with a massive roasted pig on a spit as they made their way past us and further up the mountain. A mouthwatering aroma wafted by me. The pig’s skin appeared perfectly crisp. Juices dripped and left a trail.

On the right, others carried massive barrels, their contents unknown to me, but by the happy laughter and eager looks, I guessed it to be some local, perhaps intoxicating, beverage.

Others gracefully maneuvered around the busyness, carrying long wooden tables.

Among the activity, another group caught my eye as they hauled massive bushels of flowers in different shades of blue.

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