"I was so scared, but I just stayed positive," Richie said after listening to Dragon tell him everything that happened.
Dragon held his man closer and kissed the top of his head. "I know, baby, but I was determined to get back home to you. I wasn't going to let anyone take me out."
Richie smiled. "I know you're a badass, but I was still worried."
"I think now we'll be okay. With the Triad forming an alliance with us, we can just have peace and make money," Dragon said.
"My drug has y'all that hopeful?" Richie asked.
"From what you've told me and from your own experience with it, don't you think so?" Dragon asked.
Richie laughed as he thought back to the night he tried it for himself, and he nodded. "I didn't have any withdrawal or side effects. I didn't even feel hungover the next day, just embarrassed."
Dragon chuckled. "You were in good hands, and it's a feel-good drug that will ensure that we have repeat customers. Gone are the days when we had to pick and choose who gets jobs in the club. We're all about to be rich, and I'm sure my father is thinking about opening more chapters all over. Can you imagine a chapter in Singapore or Japan?"
"Wow, it's really that big?"
"Didn't you see this prospect when you and Montgomery were creating it?"
"Yes and no. I mean, Monty wanted to go big with it. He's a businessman, so of course, he saw the full potential. Me... I just wanted to get high without the baggage that comes with other drugs. Something better than marijuana, ya know?"
Dragon nodded. "That university degree came in handy."
Richie chuckled and shifted to rest his chin on Dragon's chest. "So, you met Monty. Did you two get along?"
Dragon sighed with an arch of his brow. "We didn't really have time to chat, but we didn't fight, if that helps. What rank is he in the triad?"
Richie pursed his lips. "He doesn't have a rank that I know of."
"He was giving the orders until Li was free."
"Then those were his people. Ren and he have a security detail, and they follow his orders as well as Ren—mainly Ren's. But Ren is controlled entirely by Monty. So, if Ren says they must follow Monty's command, then they have to obey," Richie said.
"How did Monty do that?"
"One of the reasons why Monty and I could never be lovers is that he's a full-time Dom. As you know, I'm not the submissive type. But that's just one reason; the other is that we are way better friends than we could ever be lovers."
Dragon chuckled. "Are you telling me this because you're worried I'll be jealous of him? Now that we're both out of prison and you'll be able to hang out with him, you don't want me to hate him."
"Maybe," Richie said. "I just don't want you to think that any man is a threat to you when it comes to me. I'm yours through and through."
"Damn right," Dragon said, then lifted Richie's chin with his finger and kissed him. "But getting back to Montgomery."
"Yes?"
"He's triad for sure. He may be a Dom, but they tapped into something else about him. I saw it in his eyes. He's killed someone. He walked into a room full of killers, stone-cold gangsters, and didn't bust a bead of sweat. He was fearless," Dragon said.
"But he's always been that way," Richie stated.
"Trust me. I know a killer when I see one, and he's taken a life at least once," Dragon said.
"Is that a problem for you?" Richie asked.
"Not at all. But I want you to know... keep in mind, if for some unfortunate reason we fall out with the triad, he'll be taking their side," Dragon said.
"And I'll be taking the Lords. The thought of us parting like that does break my heart, and I don't like to think about that possibility, which is why I'm really happy we've decided to form this alliance. But the moment he married Ren, I prepared myself for that worst-case scenario," Richie said.
Dragon nodded, satisfied with his man's answer. "Okay. I just wanted to make sure you were aware and okay with it."
