Page 49 of Cruel Devotion

Damn. This feast is going to be bigger than the other one.

We moved further into the camp, and suddenly the lively chatter began to dim as everybody noticed the five Rowe Street Mob members.

Many shifted to hushed murmurs and sidelong glances.

This is so crazy.

Here and there, Lei’s people whispered behind their hands, pointing subtly but unmistakably at Banks’s men.

More concerning were the guys who responded with more than just stares. A few instinctively grabbed their weapons.

One man, with a large dragon tattoo running down his arm, pointed his knife at Silent Sal and then spit on the ground.

Wow. Can we just all relax?

I got the feeling that if Chen didn’t walk by us, this walk but have been very different.

“Chen.” I tugged at my current sky-blue attire and sighed. “Why does the color situation have to be so complicated?”

Chen looked my way. “Colors are simple. It’s the meanings we attach to them that complicate things. Plus, there’s a lot of tension between the East and South right now.”

“And. . .you still think that. . .Lei may trip?”

“It’s not that hemaytrip as you say. It is how we contain hiscertainanger to a point where bombs are not exploding in the East and South.”

I swallowed.

“However. . .” Chen let out a long breath. “I think I have a plan.”

I eyed him. “What is it?”

A neutral mask covered his face.

“Chen?”

He remained quiet.

“I thought we already had a plan?”

“Yes, Monique, but after Banks’s statements, we will need to alter the plan in some areas.”

“What areas?”

To my surprise, Chen groaned and pulled out his phone.

I stole a quick glance. “Are you going to tell me or not?”

Chen dialed a number and then placed it to his ear. “Wu? Yes. Good. I’m glad he is well. Yes, but, where is the Mountain Master now?”

I tensed.

“No. No. Extend the final medical assessment. Keep him a little bit longer. Yes. That’s what I said.”

What the hell is Chen doing?

“No. Do not worry, Wu. I will arrive and escort Lei back to his tent. Do you understand? Good.” Chen moved the phone from his ear and placed it back in his pocket.

Utterly confused, I looked at Chen. “What was that about?”

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