“My response needs to be strong and swift.”
Hahn nodded in agreement. “The problem is we’ve narrowed it down, but we’re not sure which family is responsible.”
I turned to Lim. “You might want to go grab a cup of coffee. I have some things to say that I’m sure you don’t want to be privy too.”
He knew what I was all about and nodded in agreement. “Did anyone else want a cup?” Four sets of eyes stared blankly at him. “No? All right. I’ll be right back.”
I waited until Lim was out of earshot then nodded for Hahn to continue.
“Most likely Zheng was behind today’s firefight. He has the most to prove to the Council. We’re still not sure, but the attempt on your life in America could have been between Zheng’s or Ng’s family. But we’re sure it was one of the two. The problem is you can’t go after them directly not if you want to run The Family.”
I tapped my blood stained fingers against the bottom of my chin. “Funny considering everybody on that Council knows everyone else’s moves. You can’t tell me they don’t know exactly who is trying to move me out of the way. If they expect me to curl up in some kind of ball and cry, they’ve got another thing coming. No. I can’t go after them directly, but I can take out the houses that Zheng and Ng built. Hit them so hard that the China National Space Administration can see them from the heavens.”
Hahn nodded. “We’ve had eyes on the places all along. All our people need is the word go. However . . . Ng’s family is preparing for a party, there might be a lot of innocent people who’ll get hurt.”
“I don’t give a shit about those people. Blow up everything. Don’t leave anything behind and that includes the cats and dogs. They wanted a war, so a war is what they are going to get. If you’re waiting for the word go—GO!”
“I’ll make the calls and make sure everything is set up. In the meantime, I’ll leave Swift and Donner here with you. They’ll make sure you get to Xiou Manor safely.”
*****
Lim came back with two cups of coffee. “I figured you could use this.”
“This is the third time in the last two weeks I’ve been covered with blood. Thank you, but I could use something a little stronger than coffee.”
“I see Hahn is gone. Where did he go?”
“Do you really want me to tell you?” The look I gave said, “absolutely not.”
“No. I suppose I don’t. Is the guy in surgery the one whose house you were staying at in the States?”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “Yes. He flew here with some crazy idea of protecting me, can you believe that? I think that’s a first. A man in my life who isn’t on my payroll that wanted to protect me. Yet, like a cloud of bad karma, I’m standing outside of a hospital room, praying he doesn’t die, because he has a hole in his chest because of me.” I threw my head back, closed my eyes, and exhaled. Once I felt I had my bearings, I focused on Lim. “Why are you here? It’s obvious there is something important you want to tell me but aren’t quite sure how. Just give it to me straight.”
“I got a call from Nina’s lawyer. Her status as being alive has been reinstated and recognized by the Chinese government.”
“That was fast but not unexpected.”
“No . . . no it’s not. They would like to make a deal.”
I whipped my head around. “What kind of deal? She’s entitled to half of Chang’s estate. Give it to her if it will make her crawl back underneath her rock.”
“That’s not all she wants.”
“There’s nothing else left to give. What could she possibly want?”
“She wants Xiou Manor and a seat on the Council.”
“What? How am I supposed to make that happen? I’m not even on the Council yet.”
“With both Chang and Mr. Wong gone that opens up two seats. Nina is expecting you will win the votes you’ll need for leadership, and she wants you to convince the Council members of The Family to give her a seat. Now that the rules have changed, if you win, technically she can be seated.”
“Set up a meeting with Nina. Just us. No lawyers. There’s a restaurant across the street. Tell her to meet me there in thirty minutes.”
Chapter 20
When Nina arrived, I was already sitting at the restaurant waiting. It wasn’t packed. There were only a few people dining. Mostly, the only noise in the restaurant was the television hanging on the wall broadcasting the news. My eyes turned from the television to stare intently at her.
I didn’t change clothes or even wash Brody’s blood off of my hands and face. I wanted her to see what living this kind of life could bring to her world.
Her steps were tentative the closer she drew towards me.
“If you can’t stomach the sight of blood how the hell do you plan to occupy a seat on the Council?”
Nina took a seat. “That’s always been your problem, Gina. You’ve never known how to handle anything with finesse. You’re like a bull in a china shop.”
“Just how would you know that? You haven’t been in my life for fifteen years. What do you really want Nina? What will it take to make you
