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My body tenses.
He better not be implying what I think he is.
“And what’s that?” I raise an eyebrow.
He snaps his fingers while the hat woman, Delphine, slaps a folder onto the desk between us.
Sharing a look with Nico, I take the folder and open it. He leans over to read the contents with me.
This has to be a fucking joke.
Closing the folder and reaching behind me, I don’t have to turn around to know Bo grabs it to read through the contents.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” I retort.
“Don’t be so stupid. This means everything. You were promised to the Gohs. And I’ve come to collect what’s owed to me. You agree to the terms, and I won’t kill your husband and his entire family for costing me billions.”
“You’re too late. We’re married with God himself as a witness,” Nico replies coolly.
“What you both did is punishable by death. You’re lucky I don’t put a bullet in your head right now.”
“There’s no commitment here, just that he was open to discussing it. There wasn’t even a formal announcement of an engagement,” Bo says from behind me.
I can tell he’s still scanning the text.
In the folder are old email exchanges, transcripts, and letters between Caishen and my father Peter discussing the possibility of an alliance “between a Liu heir and a Goh heir.”
“Semantics. Your father wanted a merger just as much as I did. It was practically a done deal. You were promised to me, and I intend to hold you to it.”
“Practicallyisn’t official, seeing as how he’s dead and nothing was ever signed, sealed or delivered. These documents are useless. There’s a reason the Triad in the U.S. split away from the 14K in the first place. Why would my father want to rush back in after all their hard work?”
“Because—”
“This is bullshit, and you know it. If history is correct, your great grandfather said splitting apart would be the death of the Triad. But that’s not what happened. We flourished, and when Andrew took over, it fell apart all over again. That’s why you’ve been silent these past twenty years. But now that we have the weapons on the market, the newest drug, the Italians, and the East Coast shipping ports, now you want in.”
Caishen’s nostrils flare, all but confirming my assessments before he schools his features. “Oh, please. Like we’ve ever needed anything from you.”
“Is that so? I have the Triad, the Cosa Nostra, and the Outfit.”
“Not all of us can spread our legs to get our way like ajìn u.”Whore.
“Watch what you say about my wife, or it’ll be the last thing you do,” Nico growls.
Caishen hides his shock quickly when he realizes my husband can understand him.
“SoAmerican. What’s with the dramatics?” His eyes flick to mine. “You call yourself the daughter of the Mad Dragon? You are a disgrace. Getting into bed with the Italians. Peter would be embarrassed by your petulance.” Caishen throws his head back, laughing. “Don’t be so naive. You need China. Your economy depends on us.”
Bash stands, putting his hands on the desk to lean into Caishen’s face. “Leave this, or not only will I make it my life’s mission to destroy the 14K, but I’ll be so thorough there will be no evidence you ever existed. There won’t be a legacy for you to leave behind. You’ll be nothing but a cliff note if you’re lucky.”
“What do you know about lasting legacies, boy!” Caishen slams the desk with his palm. “Do you think the strong have built legacies that lasted generations because theyfollowed their hearts? You American-born ingrates. Always thinking about your own happiness and passions. Never for the greater good. You are selfish. That’s why you will never last.”
“You can’t do this,” I argue.
“Don’t be so emotional. As the dragon head, you’ll be forced to make a lot of tough decisions. This is only the beginning.”
“What happened to honor?” Bash speaks through gritted teeth.
“I do have honor. Which is why I’ll give you until the auction to get your affairs in order before I take matters into my own hands.” He stands and turns to leave.
