Chapter 9 Da Han Dragonhead Mujin
Chapter nine
Da Han "Dragonhead" Mujin
"Fuck!" Da Han cursed after hearing about the attack on his brother and his safehouse, where over twenty of his men were being treated for injuries.
Taking them to a hospital would cause too much trouble, so he had medical staff there, along with guards to keep them safe, and he'd just learned that everyone was dead.
It was bad enough that earlier he'd heard about the attack on the Bartolli family that apparently left no one alive.
Now there was just the Esposito family as his ally.
"Do we know who did it?" he asked Chen.
"Nothing solid, but I just got word that Nathan Bridger was at Desires," Chen said. "Our man at the club reported that Nathan had a meeting with Vito and the Lords of Chaos president, Wolf, then stayed for a show and a lap dance before leaving."
"Shit," Da Han said under his breath. "Considering the fact that Diego Murphy and Tim Davis were released from prison, the Bridgers, Castiello, and Lords have teamed up.
This is a huge problem as the Bridgers are highly skilled assassins, even the fucking kids.
Did we have eyes on Nathan after he left the club? "
Chen sighed. "We had our spy at the club put a tracker on his car, but he disabled it. Since that failed, we tried to have one of our guys trail him, but he lost him in traffic. Chances are he went home."
"Fucking incompetent idiots," Da Han cursed under his breath, then ran his fingers through his hair.
"To be fair, this was Nathan Bridger they were trying to follow. If the man can't ditch a tail, he's not worth the legend of his reputation," Chen said.
Da Han just nodded at that. "Do we know where he lives?"
Chen nodded. "We do, but it stands to reason that knowing where he lives and being able to enter his home are two different things."
Da Han released an exasperated sigh. "True.
If we send in a hit squad to attack his home, that would be foolish.
Right now, all we know is that Nathan visited Vito and the Bridgers pulled strings to get those two Lords released from prison.
If we attack them, we'll be biting off more than we can chew. "
Chen shook his head. "So, what do you want to do next? Our allies are down to one, and we just lost more good men."
"I've got to think," Da Han said, then he turned as the door to his office opened and his beautiful wife sauntered in.
Mèng Yáo, came up behind him, massaging his shoulders. "If the Castiellos have called in the Bridger family for reinforcements, then we need to call my father. Nathan Bridger, I've heard, is not someone to take lightly. Even more dangerous than his brother, Colton."
"Not only that, boss, but the Lords called in backup as well. Members from both their LA and Las Vegas chapters have shown up," Chen said.
Da Han shot up from his chair, snatched his shot glass from the desk, and hurled it at Chen, striking the man in his chest. "Why the fuck am I just hearing about this now?" he yelled.
Chen bowed at the waist. "I've just received word, sir. That's why I came to see you as soon as I found out."
"Darling, calm down. If Chen had known sooner, you know he would have told you," Mèng Yáo said, hoping to calm her husband down so that he could focus better on his next move.
Da Han raked his fingers through his hair with a heavy sigh. "You're right." He waved at Chen as if to say "I'm sorry" for lashing out, and Chen nodded.
"I understand, sir," Chen said. "The good thing is that your brother was unharmed in the attack; unfortunately, he lost his bodyguard and capo."
Da Han nodded and pulled out his cell phone to call his younger brother. When Tian Yu answered, the first thing he asked was if he was alright. Sure, he had the report that his brother survived, but did he have any injuries? How was his mental state? He needed to know.
"I'm fine, just pissed," Tian Yu said.
"I'm so sorry about Han Wu Li and Wei Xang," Da Han said, giving condolences regarding the deaths of Tian Yu's right-hand man and best friend and his trusted bodyguard.
"Thank you. The shit happened so fast," Tian Yu said.
"Did you see who attacked you?" Da Han asked.
"No, but they were highly skilled. Had my bodyguard not stepped in front of me when he did, I'd be the one dead," Tian Yu said.
"Was he aware that there was an assassin?"
"No, Han Wu Li and I were discussing what happened to the Bartolli family, and Wei Xang was opening the door for me when his brains got splattered all over my face.
The bullet narrowly missed me. The assassin was quick to attempt another shot, but I was faster when I jumped into the car; that's when Han Wu Li was taken out," Tian Yu said.
"We've learned that Nathan Bridger met with Vito. It could have been him," Da Han said.
"I don't think it was Nathan Bridger," Tian Yu said.
Da Han cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? And why not?"
"The skill was top-notch, don't get me wrong. But from what I've heard of Nathan, he never misses his mark, and if he misses the first shot,he's even more tenacious with the second. This attack, though chaotic, felt panicked after the first shot missed," Tian Yu said.
"Think it was one of his sons?" Da Han asked.
"If so, we need to be worried. Those kids are only twelve, but if they can kill at that level, they are to be taken just as seriously as their father."
"But you said it felt rushed."
"He still managed to kill two of my people with precision," Tian Yu stated.
"Understood," Da Han agreed, then continued with the report. "The fucking Castiello and Lords took out Bartolli himself. Who didn't catch a bullet was later blown the fuck up."
"Do you think this will change things with the Esposito family?"
"You think they'll use this opportunity to force my hand to give in to whatever terms they want to renegotiate?"
"Julian Esposito is probably very concerned now that the five powerful crime families in New York are not down to one," Tian Yu said.
"The fucking Castiellos. This all started with Rico," Da Han said through gritted teeth.
"Started, yes... but it won't end even if we kill him. We need to kill him, his son, and his brother," Tian Yu said.
"And we will," Da Han said.
"What are you going to do if the Esposito family wants more territory, or if they want to back out?" Tian Yu asked.
"There's no backing out. Even if they tried to side with the Castiellos and Lords, there's too much bad blood between them, and they have nothing to offer that those two factions can't take. They have no leverage, and they know it," Da Han stated.
"That may be, but they will still try. The Castiellos may work with them to take you out in New York. Be careful."
"Do you think the Castiellos will take their hand in this war?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Well, the friends of my enemies can die too," Da Han said. "If they plan to shake me down for more territory, I'll take them out myself. I don't need an ally who wants more than they're worth."
"What are you going to do next? I mean... what do you want me to do next? Go after Vito Castiello directly?" Tian Yu asked.
"Exactly. Take out Rico's little brother, but it won't be you. I'm going to call Japan for help. I want them to send that son of a bitch, Aoshi Saitoh, here. Let him deal with Vito and his bodyguard, Demir," Da Han said.
"Well, that puts me at ease and on edge," Tian Yu said, knowing full well that Aoshi Saitoh was unpredictable and a skilled assassin on another level.
He was the reason why the Mujin family had to concede during the war with the Saotome Yakuza.
If not for his father's sheer ability to bluff, convincing the Yakuza to come to the table for the Blood Marriage, they may have been completely wiped out.
"I just want you to stay safe. With Vito and his bodyguard eliminated, Rico would have lost a powerful stronghold. Chicago will be ours when we take him out," Da Han said.
"I'll assist him with whatever he needs when he comes. Are you sure he'll come?" Tian Yu asked.
"He will. Hiko has been salivating for the moment I'd have to rely on him for help. He'll humble me for the opportunity, but he'll send him," Da Han said.
"I'm sure that's a conversation you're dreading to have."
"Indeed, but I can no longer hold off."
"Very well, stay safe, brother," Tian Yu said.
"You do the same and watch out for Yufei; his club has been cut by over half. The Lords have skilled enforcers, one of them being Colton Bridger... I can't afford to lose him, too. Don't let him get in over his head," Da Han said.
"I've already told him to go into lockdown. He's protected right now," Tian Yu said.
"Good. Keep me in touch," Da Han said.
"I will."
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.