20. Chapter 20

Chapter twenty

Jun De

" W hat?" Da Han yelled through his cell. "How the fuck did you let your guard down this badly, Tian?" There was a pause as Da Han listened. "Don't get smart with me," he said before he paused again and it would seem that Tian Yu was also giving his older brother a few words. "Fine, Chicago and New York were both attacked. How did they even know about them?"

Jun De watched his boss pace the space in his office. Da Han carded his fingers through his silky black strands, a snarl on his face that made Jun De wonder just what the hell went wrong.

"How many are dead?" Da Han asked, then waited for the reply. He sighed heavily, his head back as he stared at the ceiling. He put the cell back to his ear. "Put extra security on the hospital... Good."

This night had started off with promising news for Da Han when he'd received word that the head of the Castiello Family, Rico Castiello, had been shot several times by his assassin, Stephen Yeoh. They were still waiting on confirmation if the mob boss had survived his injuries. Rico had gone into hiding and Stephan was searching for him to finish him off if he was still hanging on. And also, the update that Chen had located Yìchén and was bringing him home had Da Han in good spirits.

But the phone call Da Han was on right now changed all of that. It would seem that his men just faced a huge attack in retaliation. One the Dragonhead hadn't expected. Da Han ended the call and tossed his phone across the room. It landed on the sofa.

"What happened, sir?" Jun De asked.

"Fuck!" Da Han spat the curse word out with all of the frustration he was feeling. He turned to him. "The fucking Castiellos bombed three of our businesses, killed twenty-six of my men and injured fourteen."

"Shit," Jun De hissed and uncrossed his legs, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Which businesses?"

"The ones that we have under shells. How the fuck they found out that those businesses belonged to me, I don't know,' Da Han said.

Jun De knew the businesses in question must have been operating as hideouts for his men. Therefore, they could have been discovered if those men were tracked, or if the Castiellos had a very skilled hacker in their family.

"So, they attacked in Chicago and New York, what about Orlando, sir?" Jun De asked.

Da Han shook his head. "Li is playing it smart. Considering he's in the viper pit. With both Castiellos and three large Lords chapters in the state, his strategy can't be ours. "

"That doesn't mean Enzo Castiello won't strike first," Jun De said.

"I've sent Li plenty of men and he has his sister, but I will allow him to handle his situation as he sees fit. Only he knows exactly how much danger he'll be in if he makes the wrong move," Da Han said.

Jun De sighed, but nodded, understanding his boss' meaning. "Sir, do you think it's time you called Mr. Saotome for reinforcements?"

Da Han threw him a look that proved he didn't appreciate the suggestion. "Do you think I can't handle them? That the Jade Dragon Triad needs the help of the Yakuza?"

Jun de rose from the chair and bowed. "No, sir. I apologize if my concern came across that way. I know that you can handle them."

"Good," Da Han said sharply.

Jun De straightened and noted Da Han checking his watch.

"They should be back by now," Da Han said about Chen and his son. He grabbed his cell from the sofa and dialed his right-hand. "What's taking you so long? I need you here now," he said once Chen answered.

Jun De was only hearing one side of the conversation but knew what was said based on Da Han's responses.

"I'll tell you what happened once you get here. Come straight to my office." With that, Da Han ended the call and looked at Jun De. "These fucking assholes... how dare they fuck with my money."

Jun De remained silent, because he knew there was nothing he could offer his boss in the way of strategy. His job was to be a bodyguard. Not to give suggestions to the boss on how he should go about conducting his affairs. That was Chen's job and even Tian-Yu's.

The door opened and both men turned in time to see Mèng Yáo enter. Her black satin gown flowed smoothly down her slender frame, the train of the gown following behind her. She looked at her husband. "Are they okay? Why aren't they here yet?" she asked .

"Chen said Yìchén was being difficult, but they're on their way now. Should be here in a few minutes," Da Han said.

Mèng Yáo pressed her hand to her chest and released a sigh of relief. When she discovered that her stepson had done something so stupid at this critical time, she wanted to ring his neck. "Good." She walked over to Da Han, hugging and then kissing him. "Something's wrong. Tell me."

Da Han sighed and nodded. He then proceeded to tell his wife what had happened and Jun De had found it interesting that he included his wife in his business that intimately. Most mafia men tended to keep women out of such affairs, yet it would seem that Da Han valued his wife's council. Of course, that could be because she was in a notorious crime family and knew how the life was.

"How many men did we lose?" Mèng Yáo asked.

Da Han told her and she nodded, her demeanor cool and collected. "Tell Li to strike them first. Take out his son, Enzo, don't wait."

"The war hadn't extended to Florida yet," Da Han said.

"Oh, but it has. Do you think Enzo will wait, especially after what happened to his father? If we did kill Rico, Enzo will take over," Mèng Yáo said. "Eliminate him now."

Da Han nodded, seeing the wisdom in his wife's words. He called his son, Li.

Jun De listened to the one-sided conversation where father and son planned their next move. Da Han appeared to listen to his son's concerns and then gave his suggestions about how to attack quickly and efficiently in a way to guarantee success. By the end of the conversation, Jun De could tell Li was going to do as his father wanted.

Da Han looked at his wife. "I'm worried because it will be his first time in control. "

Mèng Yáo nodded. "It's time for him to lead. When we return to Beijing, Li will be in charge here. He'll have to deal with the other two families once the smoke clears. It's best he gets his experience now."

Da Han nodded. "Yes, you're right."

"My worry is for Ren. I don't want him to be a victim and I don't know if his husband..." Mèng Yáo trailed off as she saw the smirk on Da Han's handsome face. "What do you know that I don't?"

"Ahhh, Li has given me updates concerning our son-in-law and I don't think you have to worry," Da Han said.

"Meaning?" Mèng Yáo asked, one eyebrow cocked.

"It would seem that Montgomery has what it takes to be a triad. Li had him torture a fool who tried to steal from us and the man enjoyed himself a bit too much. He can be deadly if given the right circumstances and he sees Ren as his. His husband, his lover, his sub... he'll protect Ren," Da Han said.

"What if he puts his best friend, Richard, over Ren?"

Da Han didn't answer that and Jun De could tell the triad boss was thinking about that possibility.

"Will his best friend put Montgomery's husband in danger? If that is the case, those two may fall out," Da Han said. "We just have to hope that Ren means more to him, I suppose. However, that's just as far as their relationship goes. I'm not worried for Ren's safety as a whole, which is why he has so many security guards protecting him. He has Sakura."

At that, Mèng Yáo smiled. "Sakura would kill Montgomery or anyone if they tried to harm Ren."

Da Han nodded. "He would kill anyone who betrayed Ren, as well."

Jun De knew about Sakura. Like him, he was an elite bodyguard and one who was as dedicated as he was vicious. He would kill any threat to Ren in the blink of an eye. As far as Jun De knew, Ren was in good hands.

The door to the office opened again and this time, Yìchén barged in with Chen coming in behind him. "I just wanted to have a little fun," was the first words Yìchén spat out.

Da Han's response was quick when he swung, his backhand striking Yìchén across his cheek, sending the young man to the floor with a grunt.

"You fucking idiot," Da Han cursed. "Do you know how dangerous it was for you to be out there right now?"

Yìchén looked up at his father, a mixture of shock and rage in his watery gaze. "I didn't bring on this war, you did."

Jun De noted Chen's tense stance. Something in the way he looked at Yìchén made him curious about what had happened between the two during their training sessions. Also, what happened tonight?

Da Han raised his chin as he looked down at his foolish son. "I didn't start this war, boy. The Castiellos started it the moment they forced the Mancinis out of Chicago. They started it the moment they began selling drugs in my territory. The only thing I've done is take advantage of their weakness. Do you think if Rico wasn't swamped in this war—a war he started, mind you—in New York, that they wouldn't have been the first to attack?"

Yìchén's gaze softened a little as he looked up at his father, but remained silent.

"Get up and answer me," Da Han demanded.

Yìchén huffed as he climbed to his feet. "No, Dad."

"Right. They would have tried to eliminate us the way they did the Mancinis. These are not people that you give the benefit of the doubt to. They joined forces with the Lords of Chaos MC because it gave them a powerful pipeline for their drug transportation. If we don't win this war, we'll be forced to leave our territories," Da Han explained.

"I get it," Yìchén said.

Da Han scoffed. "Do you?"

"Yes."

"Because until this is over, I don't need you running the streets trying to party with your fucking friends."

"But you're allowing me to go to school," Yìchén shot back.

"That's important."

"Doesn't mean I still can't be in danger."

"Chen is with you as well as other security."

"Then let them be with me when I go out with my friends," Yìchén said. "I don't want to be cooped up in this house. Li, Ren, and Xiù don't have to be. I mean, isn't that why you've been forcing me to train with Chen, so that I'll be able to take care of myself and fight back if need be?"

Da Han sighed and looked at Chen.

Jun De was watching everyone and remaining silent as that was expected of him.

"What do you think, Chen? Should he be allowed to ‘party with his friends'?" Da Han asked, quoting his son in a mocking tone.

Chen looked at Yìchén and Jun De saw something in that gaze... what was it?

"I'll protect him," Chen said, then looked at Da Han. "But I wouldn't suggest it'd be something he does for a while."

"I see," Da Han nodded.

"Wait, what's a while?" Yìchén asked.

Da Han turned to his son, a snarl on his lips. "Do you realize while you were out shaking your ass in the club, three of my businesses were bombed by the fucking Castiellos? That twenty-six of my men are dead and fourteen are in hospitals right now? Do you even know what Chen was doing tonight before I had to have him track your foolish ass down?"

Yìchén's mouth was opened after hearing about the attacks. "No," he said softly.

"Killing the Lords of Chaos president and VP," Da Hand said. "I'm not playing games, Yìchén, and this isn't any time for you to be playing them either."

Yìchén nodded as he lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Dad. I won't do it again."

Da Han's shoulders relaxed, he sighed, then he pulled his son into his embrace, hugging him. "I'm glad you're safe."

Seeing that the heated argument had been resolved, Mèng Yáo and Da Han were able to express their love and concern for their son.

"Chen, keep an eye on him," Da Han ordered.

Chen bowed his head. "Yes, sir."

"For now, go to your room," Da Han told his son.

Yìchén left his dad's office, walking past Chen, and as he did, Jun De noticed the sly brushing of Yìchén's hand against Chen's crotch. Chen didn't give any reaction, only closed the door once Yìchén was gone.

Did something happen between them? Jun De wondered.

Da Han began to talk to Chen to figure out their next move and Jun De was taking it all in. Knowing the details would give him perspective on how he was going to best protect his boss. This was just the beginning, but he saw the wisdom in taking out the leaders. Vito was the next target and something Tian Yu was going to have to deal with.