The gunfire was completely silent now, and Enzo looked around to see Dragon and Xiù still going at it. Both were bleeding from various wounds, and both had knives in their hands. Xiù slashed, and Dragon dodged, then countered, and she leaned back to avoid it.
"Do you need some help?" Enzo asked.
"Don't interrupt my fun," Dragon said, his gaze steady on his target.
"Just looks like it's taking longer than expected," Enzo teased.
Dragon smiled and shook his head. "This bitch is going down."
"Only bitch going down is you," Xiù shot back and followed it up with an attack.
Enzo watched, impressed, as Dragon and Xiù went at it. It was almost like watching art in motion; their skill was top level. Xiù went for a kill stab, and Dragon let her. The moment her blade hit the solid force of his bulletproof vest, it was over for her. She looked up in time to see Dragon's fist but couldn't move fast enough to dodge or block. She gasped, her head snapping back as she staggered. Dragon kicked her hard, the heel of his boot catching her jaw, and she spun before falling to the floor, unconscious.
"Let's go," Enzo said.
"What happened to the police?" Dragon asked as he lifted Xiù's body and tossed it over his shoulder.
"I'm sure Mr. Andrews took care of it. That's exactly the kind of thing that he handles for the family," Enzo said, because he also noticed that the police never showed up and the sound of the sirens was gone. He looked around. "Who's alive?"
He got a few responses back and noted that out of the ten Lords who came with them, seven were still alive. His own people were down to eleven. The loss fucking sucked, but the goal was met. "Set this place ablaze," he ordered. There were far too many bodies to bring back to bury. Nonetheless, he'd make sure the Castiello family honored their fallen men and gave them a proper funeral and took care of their families. Enzo watched as the fire, that was their friend, destroyed as much evidence as they could.
All of his men got back into their vehicles, and Enzo made sure both Li and Xiù were secured, their hands and feet bound so that they couldn't break free. Next, he slid into the backseat—slowly—thanks to the aches and pains he was feeling now that his adrenaline was fading away. The fight with Li had been the hardest he'd ever had, as he was holding a handkerchief up to his nose to stop the bleeding. He was going to have to apply ice to several areas to calm the bruising and swelling.
"You okay?" Cenzo asked him as he nursed a bullet wound in his side. He'd been struck exactly where the vest didn't protect him.
"I'm fine. What about you?" Enzo asked, concerned about his best friend and cousin.
"I'm good. It went straight through. I don't think I'm going to die," Cenzo said, then moaned from the pain.
"You better fucking not die on me," Enzo said, then leaned forward, patting Cenzo's shoulder. He looked at the driver, whowas also nursing a bruise on his chest from a bullet he took, but his bulletproof vest saved his life. The impact still packed a punch. "Let's get the fuck out of here."
"Yes, boss," the driver said, and they headed out.
On the way home, Enzo called his father to bring him up to date.
Very good, son. I'm proud of you, Rico texted back.
Enzo smiled down at the screen because his father's approval meant a lot to him.Thanks, Dad. I'm on the way to the safehouse now. Are you going to let Da Han know?
Of course, but I need to speak with the presidents of the Lord chapters as we're all in this together. The demands can't just be my own,Rico said.
I understand. Okay... I'm sure he will bend to our will.
If he values the life of his children, he will,Rico said.Take care of yourself.
I will, Dad. Thank you.He smiled as he ended the call. His plan to kidnap Li and Xiù was the right move. It might be the move to end this war and save the lives of his people. The fact that he had the good sense and balls to pull it off meant he was the perfect choice to take over the family when it was time.
Enzo slipped his cell back into his pocket, leaned his head back against the seat, and closed his eyes.
Chapter twenty-three
Yìchén
Yìchénsatinhisbedroom on the edge of his bed while his father and stepmother stood over him as if he were ten years old instead of twenty. It annoyed him because he didn't need anyone's permission to fuck who he wanted, and yet his parents were treating him as if he needed theirs.
"You sent the video, didn't you?" Da Han asked his problem child.
Yìchén nodded. "I did."
