"So what happens now?" Mèng Yáo asked.
The other three men remained silent because they were waiting for their boss to make a decision.
"I can't allow them to push us out. Not after the shit we've been through to keep these cities. I won't release them just to lose everything. Right now, we are at a stalemate, and Rico will request a sit-down," Da Han said.
"Do you want me to go?"
Da Han turned to his wife, looked at her injured shoulder and arm, and shook his head. "No, my love, I want you to rest."
"It's just a minor wound. I want to be by your side," she said, then she hugged her man with her good arm and rested her head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat was a soothing rhythm to her.
"If we go to this sit-down and shit doesn't go as planned, I don't want you harmed. You will stay here," Da Han said, and his tone left no more room for protest.
Mèng Yáo inhaled sharply and opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it and nodded. "I'll do as you say."
Da Han caressed her face and leaned forward, kissing her forehead. "I can't lose you." He then tilted her face to him and kissed her full lips—the same lips that made his heart sing when they parted in a smile for him. He released her, then called the number back.
"We received the proof," Nico said upon answering.
"Good. I want you to know that I'm not releasing them until we have this meeting. There is no way that I'm giving you all the leverage," Da Han said.
"There is something you should know."
"What?"
"Vito is already waiting outside the location where you're hiding Zindel. I'll send you proof just in case you think I'm lying. The only reason he hasn't killed your men already is that we want to give you the chance to leave before there's any more bloodshed," Nico said.
Da Han's breath caught in his chest because his brother, Tian Yu, was at the location, and if what Nico said was true, he could be in immediate danger. He had to play this smart. When his phone gave him the notification, he looked at the video footage of Vito and several of his men waiting outside the building where he knew his brother was staying. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as he gave himself the precious seconds he needed to find the right words. He motioned for Chen to come to him, then whispered in Mandarin.
"Call Tian Yu and let him know that Vito is outside, and tell him to kill Zindel first if they break in," Da Han ordered.
"Yes, sir," Chen said, then left the office to do just that.
Da Han put the phone back to his ear. "I see. It looks like we both have each other by the balls. If Vito enters that building, my brother will kill Zindel first, and as for your biker, he's not at that location, and with one call from me, my men will slit his fucking throat."
Again, there was a pause, and Da Han knew why. He had to give the info to Rico. He'd never met a crime boss with a disability, but the man was remarkable and dangerous. He'd need to make sure he had an interpreter with him for this sit-down because he didn't want any deception.
"Don't worry. We'll each take care of the other's people as a way to make sure our negotiations stay civil," Nico said. "As for who will be there, you, of course, Rico, and expect to see Niyol Murphy representing the Lords of Chaos MC. We will each bring two people with us."
"What the fuck does Niyol Murphy have to do with it?" Da Han asked.
"He is the main contact for the Lords when it comes to negotiations. The reason you were getting your ass handed to you in all three states is because of him. This isn't up for debate. He will be there," Nico said.
"Fuck it, fine. Anyone else?" Da Han asked, with all of the annoyance he was feeling.
"As for the sit-down, meet us at this location tomorrow morning."
Da Han memorized the time and place. "See you then." He ended the call and sighed, then called Tian Yu. When his brother answered, he asked him about Vito.
"It's true. They're out there, but I don't know how they found this location," Tian Yu said.
"They must have a tracker on Zindel," Da Han speculated.
"We traced him and found nothing."
"It doesn't matter. My back is against the wall. At this sit-down, no matter what, we have to hold some control over these cities," Da Han said.
"I'm sorry, brother. I didn't do a better job of avoiding this," Tian Yu said, feeling guilty.
