The two brothers ended the call, and Da Han sat down at his desk and motioned for someone to bring him another shot of brandy. Mèng Yáo walked over to the bar, poured him a glass, and then handed it to him.
"My father knows you've been so good to me, darling. He won't make you beg," she said in a reassuring tone.
"Beg? No, but he will belittle me. He's never thought I was good enough for you, given that I have been married before and am over a decade your senior," Da Han said, then took a sip of his liquor.
"Should I call him, then?"
"And have me look like a coward? Certainly not," Da Han said, then sighed. "The Castiello family has pulled out all the stops, and I've underestimated them. No longer. I'll do what must be done because I will have their territories. Li has been given orders, and I know between him and his sister, they'll be able to handle Enzo."
"Boss, we have another problem," Chen said as he scanned his cell phone.
"Fucking hell, what is it now?" Da Han asked in frustration, a deep crease between his brow as he frowned up at his right hand.
Chen handed him his cell, and Da Han took it to read the page. News had just come in that Nico Castiello arrived in New York less than twenty-four hours ago with over twenty men of his own. Da Han threw his head back and tossed Chen his cell.
"More fucking Castiellos. What do we know about him?" Da Han asked.
"Not much, only that he was recently in prison for assault and battery. He's pretty much been in and out of prison since his teenage years," Chen said.
"What do we know about the crew he brought with him?" Mèng Yáo asked.
"Nothing as of yet, but I have people looking into it," Chen said.
Da Han nodded, then looked down when his cell buzzed on the desk. "Julian Esposito," he said, then answered, "What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Mujin, I'm sure I don't have to inform you that our allies have dwindled, and now it's just my family and yours taking on the Castiello family and Lords. From my intel, they've called in even more reinforcements from Sicily, LA, and Vegas. That means the danger is even more intense, and what you offered in our original deal isn't sweet enough for me," Julian Esposito said, getting right to the point.
Just like fucking clockwork, Da Han thought. This opportunistic move was expected of the parasitic don of the Esposito Outfit.
"How is it not sweet?" Da Han asked.
"We want the former territory of the Bartolli, Demarcos, and Torelli families. The Vanelis territory is yours. I think it's fair since I've lost more men in this battle than you have, and where you have territory in New York, Chicago, China, and God knows where else, New York should be mine," Julian said.
Da Han smirked, then licked his lips. "That is fair, as the streets are lined with your blood; your sacrifice has been greater. I'm not an unreasonable man. But the Demarcos territory is not up for debate. I can give you the Torelli and Bartolli territory. Combined with your own, you still have majority control over the city."
"Either you agree to my terms, or—"
"Or what, Julian? You think Rico Castiello will hear you out?"
"He might."
"What about the Lords? Don't they have a slogan that says they'll 'never back down'? Do you think they'll back off?" Da Han asked.
"They will if I convince the Castiello family that I'm the better ally. Look, let's not play games. I've survived as long as I have because I'm smart and think ten steps ahead. I'm also about gaining what I deserve."
Da Han scoffed. " 'What you deserve,'" he said in a mocking tone.
"Yes," Julian said. "What I deserve. Now, my terms are fair; if you don't think so, then we can end our little partnership, and I'll take my chances."
"Take them," Da Han said. "I'm curious to see if you can convince Rico to let you play in his yard." With that, he endedthe call and looked up at Chen and his wife. "The Esposito family has decided to betray us."
"I'll get Stephen Yeoh on them. He'll assemble a team."
"No, he's still trying to find Rico. I had hoped that bastard had died, but with his family still going strong, I know he's alive, calling the shots. I want him to be Stephen's priority. You can handle Julian," Da Han said.
Chen bowed his head. "Yes, sir."
"Why don't we wait and see if the Castiello family will back them?" Mèng Yáo asked.
