The Rules Series
Page 1
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedications & Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
My Dangerous Reflection Title Page
Dedications & Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Other Books by LaShawn Vasser
THE RULES ACCORDING TO GINA
By
Londyn Vasser
The Rules According To Gina © 2016 LaShawn Vasser writing as Londyn Vasser
All Rights Reserved
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
*EXPLICIT ADULT CONTENT*
WARNING
This novel is considered romantic fiction with erotic elements or erotica. This is for mature audiences only. This book contains adult profane language, mild violence, and strong sexual content.
Dedications & Acknowledgments
There are so many individuals who have helped me along the way, and I would like to thank you for the support you’ve shown. Melissa Harrison, how awesome are you? Words cannot express. It’s not easy being my editor with all of my ridiculous demands. Lolah Lace, Tiffany Alston, and Lisa Brown - you guys keep me sane. As always, I’d like to send a special thanks to my Mr. for being a constant inspiration. Finally, I’d like to thank YOU, the readers. Your support makes this journey never feel like work.
Prologue
Gina stood staring out of the window wearing a taupe colored pair of riding pants and a billowy blouse a shade lighter than the pants. Her shirt was tucked neatly into her pants, the huge bow tied around her neck draped all the way down past her waist in dramatic fashion. It fit her mood; whimsical and hopeful. She glanced down at her feet and admired the pair of chocolate colored riding boots that came up above her knees. It was the wrong season for them, but they served a purpose. They were a present from her father for her Fifteenth birthday. It seemed like only yesterday when he gave them to her. However, here she stood almost twenty years later, and they still looked almost new. Except for the muck she’d gotten on them from the lesson Chang tried to teach her. If she could recall, Gina hadn’t worn those boots since that day—until now. As she remembered, a hint of a smile appeared on her face. Yes, today was going to be a good day; Tea with her father and maybe a bit of shopping afterward.
Inhaling deeply, Gina exhaled slowly while she continued to stand in front of the massive window peeking out from behind the dark, heavy draperies. This was the Tea Room. She had been in this room too many times to count. Except for these curtains her father had no say in how it was decorated.
Laurette Audrieux worked for her family when she was a child, and she decorated this room. Laurette was in their employ until Gina was close to nine years old. Then, she disappeared. It wasn’t until Gina was in her late teens that she discovered the real reason she no longer worked for her family.
Instead of the traditional furniture one would expect, Laurette being Creole furnished the spacious room in a Persian style. Since Chang Lee Xiou was such a hard man, it was no surprise that the only softness in the entire house came from this room. The real surprise was that Laurette was able to furnish it the way she wanted in the first place. The walls were a soft yellow and matched the oak floors that were covered with several hand woven rugs. A lovely sofa with a beige, yellow and crimson floral print sat almost in the center of the room. It was adorned with plenty of plush pillows in various shades of red. No less than six crimson wingback chairs surrounded the sofa. On the other end of the room was a formal dining area. The table was always ready to welcome whatever important dignitary her father would entertain. Or, just members of her family.
There was no doubt; the Tea Room was the exact opposite of how her father would have had it decorated. The room looked absolutely the same as it did the day Laurette left. That was always kind of curious to Gina until she’d learned the truth.
Earlier, when the refreshments were being delivered, Gina wondered if the servants changed the white tablecloths every time they had tea. They came into this room multiple times throughout the day. If they didn’t change them they should. She made a mental note to speak to the staff about that. In more ways than she cared to admit, she was Chang Lee Xiou’s daughter.
Her father, who preferred to blunt the intensity of the sun from coming through the windows, made sure the servants kept the drapes only partially open. Not today. Today when they drank their tea the room would be filled with light.
Gina decided to stop peeking from behind the curtains and to let the full beauty from the outside into the room. It was amazing how peaceful and serene everything was after that powerful storm last night. Luckily, her home hadn’t been damaged. The main road was still blocked due to the mudslide, but luckily, there was a smaller less traveled road on the other side of her house. It took a little longer to get to her father’s, but she’d arrived in plenty enough time for tea. Pulling on the thick chord, slowly, the curtains began to part until they were fully open. Speaking softly to herself she dusted off her hands. “Perfect.”
Now, with an unobstructed view, she could truly say this was her favorite room in the entire house. It faced the awesomeness of the Li River. Nothing was more beautiful than looking over the river in the summertime as it flowed through the Karst Mountains, so tall and powerful. Every now and again, Gina could see a small tour boat full of visitors admiring the beauty of her homeland. She often wondered what would it be like to be one of those people; to have been born Gina Lee instead of Gina Lee Xiou.
In the past, the river gave her a sense of peace from the chaotic world she’d been born into: a father whose business was his one great mistress, and who ruled his family and business in much of the same way as the river flowed—unrelenting. Business took precedence over everything including family. Nothing stood in the way of that. It didn’t help that Xiou Incorporated seemed to keep one foot in legitimacy and one foot out. Having t
o manage unsavory characters would jade anybody. She certainly had been jaded while her father groomed her to take over the business and at the same time knowing it would never happen.
Gina took in the lush greens of the forest, and landscapes left virtually untouched by man that was only separated by the river. It took her back to a time when she and Nina were children. Nina always loved the sweet fragrance of the Osmanthus trees. At the time, Gina could care less. Now, when she was home the fragrance always made her feel closer to her. Nina was the sweetheart. So different from Chang and her.
Was this room where their mother fell in love with her father? Or, did she ever love him?
“It’s too bright in here. Close the curtains.” Chang Lee Xiou demanded in Mandarin. Like clockwork, he strode into the room toward the dining room table with a newspaper hidden under his arm. His stride full of purpose and his face stern. As long as Gina was in his presence, they would only speak in their language.
Ever the dutiful daughter, Gina automatically pulled the cord and the curtains partially closed blocking out most of the sunlight. She walked towards the table as well and took a seat. “Good afternoon Father.”
Chang never made eye contact as he took his seat. “Good afternoon.” He placed his newspaper on the side of the table.
Gina picked up the steaming hot teapot and poured her father a cup. Chang finally looked up into her eyes. “I heard you took a little trip to the States recently.” She stilled but only for a moment. She continued pouring tea into his cup and then into her own.
“I’m not surprised you heard that. Nothing ever seems to escape you.”
“No. It doesn’t. And you would do well to remember that daughter.” Chang picked up his cup and took a long sip, then replaced it back into its saucer.
Curiously, she tilted her head. “I remember a lot of things father. But, there is this one nagging little memory that’s quite fuzzy. I was hoping you could help me with it. Would you like a biscuit? I made sure they prepared your favorite.”
He nodded and Gina placed one of the scrumptious biscotti’s onto his plate. Chang took a bite of the biscuit and another sip of tea. “Before we get into that would you care to explain how I have a granddaughter, which you knew about, and didn’t tell me?”
At this point, Gina wasn’t surprised that he knew. It was really only a matter of time. “Hmm…that’s really an interesting question. It actually ties into what I wanted to ask you about Laurette.”
He wasn’t expecting that. “Laurette?” Her name hadn’t been mentioned in years. Instantly, Chang appeared uncomfortable. However, without breaking eye contact, he deftly picked up his cup of tea and took another sip. “What about her?”
Calmly, Gina asked, “Why haven’t you ever had this room re-decorated? It’s obvious you hate it.” She could see him swallow deeply while his face remained unchanged.
“I don’t hate this room. There are some memories that I choose to preserve. This room is one of them.”
“Did you love her then?”
“Who? Why all the questions?”
“Laurette. Did you love her?” Gina looked around the room and spoke as if answering her own question. “You must have considering this room hasn’t changed in over twenty years. The décor is a bit dated.”
“I can’t believe we’re talking about this. Or, that you even remember her.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Who wouldn’t remember their mother?”
The shock was evident on his face.
“What? You didn’t think we knew? See father, I can keep secrets too. But, back to my original question. Did you have her killed?”
Chang slowly lowered his cup. “So, you knew about her, yet you said nothing.”
“I am your daughter. You have taught me well. One thing you have always stressed was timing. How timing is everything. There was no need to say anything—then. I am curious and thought now would be a good time to get answers to some of the questions I’ve always had. Again, did you kill her? If so, why?”
Chang’s jaw clenched. ”There was only one way out of my home. She wanted out. I gave her an out.”
“You killed my mother because she wanted to leave you after forcing her to watch her children grow up only to know her as a lowly servant? Why not just let her leave?” Gina knew the answer to that already. Control. Chang demanded utter and complete control from everyone.
He ignored the question. “How long have you known?”
Gina waved her hands back and forth. “I’ve known since I was seventeen. I hope you know there is a small part of me that hates the fact you let Nina and me treat her like a servant. It would have been nice to have a mother.”
“She was a servant! I treated her better than any man would, even taking care of her daughters. Considering…” His voice trailed off.
Gina couldn’t hide the simmering anger in her voice. She’d held on to it for too long. “Considering what? That she was black, and we looked so much like her? For the record, we’re your daughters too.”
“I won’t tolerate this insolence from you. I am done with this conversation.” His voice was dangerously low. “Why didn’t you tell me about Cecily Manchetti?”
Calmly but boldly Gina spoke. “Because you would have used her to bring the Manchetti’s to their knees. She’s not a part of this game.”
“So what? Are you so weak that you wouldn’t do anything to protect this family?”
Gina raised her voice. “She is family! She’s Nina’s daughter.”
“She’s a Manchetti. I have no loyalty to that family, and I hold nothing but hate in my heart for all of them. They ruined Nina. The whole lot can rot in hell which is where I hope Luciano is right now.”
Gina’s exasperation grew. “Nina’s only fault was that she loved him. He didn’t deserve to die because of it.”
“Nina was weak! She dishonored this family and me when she disobeyed my orders to return home and marry the man I’d chosen for her. The death of Luciano was about business. I can’t help it if it also gave me pleasure to know he would no longer be walking the face of this earth.”
“Don’t speak like that about Nina! She wasn’t like us. She was good and pure.”
The disappointment was evident in his eyes. “I had such high hopes for you. Maybe Joseph should take over the business. He knows how to follow orders and to do what is necessary to remove a threat. Apparently, I will have to call him to get rid of my Manchetti problem once and for all.”
“I have no problem removing threats when necessary. There are certain lines I will not cross, though. Cecily is one of them. I won’t have her tainted by the Xiou family legacy.” Sadly, it crystallized in Gina’s mind, that although Chang was her father, he was an even bigger monster than she’d thought.
“You are weak and will end up just like Nina.”
Gina’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“I meant exactly what I said.” He took a long sip of tea.
Her voice came out in almost a whisper. “Was her car accident really an accident? Or, did you have Nina killed for her disobedience too?”
“What does it matter, she’s dead.”
She looked at her father as if she’d never seen him. The pain and anger that coursed through her body almost stopped her breath. She was so angry that she could see herself picking up the knife on the table and stabbing him in the neck. Instead, she would be patient.
As Chang raised his cup to his lips, he paused and said, “You should really have a biscuit and tea. It might wash away all the bitterness I can see flowing through you. Maybe it’s good. You can take that emotion and use it. It’ll come in handy when you’re forced to make tough decisions.”
Instead, Gina pushed her plate away and sat back in her chair. She folded her arms across her chest as she stared at him. “I am my father’s daughter.”
“Excuse me?”
Her voice turned sinister. “I hope you’re enjoying your tea and biscuits.” She reached
over and grabbed the decanter full of apple juice and poured herself a glass. “Since I might have put just a wee bit of something in it. You know the kind of something that will mimic a heart-attack but is also medically undetectable.” She leaned over and looked into his cup; it was just about empty. “I was told one cup is all it would take to do the trick.” Gina looked at her watch. “You’ve got maybe another couple of minutes before you start to feel the effects.”
The color drained from Chang’s face. He was horrified. Immediately, he tried to stand but quickly sat back down as he began to clutch his chest.
“I guess my timing was off. It looks like the show starts now.”
Somehow Chang managed to croak out. “You would do this to your father?”
She hissed, “I’ve been waiting more than half my life for this moment.”
Chang fell out of his chair gasping for breath still clutching his chest.
Gina took a biscuit out of the dish and buttered it. She took a small bite as she continued to watch him writhe around on the floor. Then, placed it back on the plate. “You killed my mother. You planned to kill your granddaughter – Nina’s child, and now I find out that you killed Nina! There is no question you would have killed me too. I hope both you and Joseph rot in hell.” She feigned ignorance. “Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. I took care of him last night. See father, I will do what is necessary to remove a threat.”
Gina crossed her legs and looked at her boots while she took a sip of her juice. “Remember when I was in my teens and you tried to teach me a lesson about secrets? I kept the fact I was dating my horse trainer from you. Somehow you found out and met us at the stables. You had your people beat him in front of me mercilessly. They got his blood all over these boots.” She extended her foot as her father lay dying on the floor. “Blood and mud are so hard to get off.” Gina took another sip of her drink. “Anyway, I kept these boots as a reminder of your cold-hearted ruthlessness. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to die at the hands of family. In some circles, I bet that would be considered ruthless. You should be proud of me with all the lessons I’ve learned from you.”