2. Blood of the Dragon
CHAPTER 2
BLOOD OF THE DRAGON
J ia
My chest vibrates with the pounding of my anxious heart as I ascend the steps to the Red Dragon Restaurant. Jianjun Zhang, the leader of the Red Dragons, opened this establishment nearly a decade ago as a legitimate front for the Triad’s not so legitimate dealings. Two crimson dragons glare at me when I cross between them, as if they’re furious at me for forsaking my blood legacy. The ancestors will not be pleased.
Honor is everything, Jia . My father’s voice rattles my already fragile nerves.
I draw in a deep breath, and the pungent scent of sweet and sour sauce and fried wontons invades my nostrils. The powerful fragrance ignites memories of the past, of my mom hustling around our small kitchen. Despite her Philippine heritage, she’d always catered to Bà ’s cultural and culinary preferences. The only thing she’d drilled into me—in secret, of course—was her devout Catholicism. As a child living in the Philippines, she and her family had been visited by missionaries and had adopted their religion. She’d clung to it her entire life, instilling those values in me.
Though I’m not exactly practicing anymore, I still want to believe.
My hand wraps around the tarnished gold handle and I freeze at the door, my heartbeat a manic staccato. You can do this, Jia . Blood of the dragon and all that. Steadying my nerves, I twist the knob and march in with my shoulders pinned back and head held high. I am a Guo, after all. My father may have been a bastard to me behind closed doors, but in public, he treated me like a princess. And now, I was heir to the Four Seas.
A woman stands at the entrance foyer in traditional Chinese attire, a brilliant ruby silk dress with gold piping and a high collar that reaches nearly up to her chin. She dips her head and motions to the back of the restaurant. “They are waiting for you.”
Great. I’m not late already, am I? I steal a quick peek at my watch. Ten o’clock on the dot. Figures the others would get here early just to intimidate me. I weave through the maze of mauve tablecloths and keep my gaze fixed on the double doors at the back. I accompanied Bà to a few meetings when I was younger, but I was never permitted to pass through those doors. Instead, I’d been forced to remain sitting at one of these tables with the hostess babysitting me.
How things have changed…
Stiffening my bottom lip, I push through the swinging doors and that thick, oily, fried scent invades my nostrils as I pass through the kitchen. To the left, another door is open and from the corner of my eye, I can already make out the two intimidating males sitting at the table. Jianjun Zhang and Hao Wei, the two eldest members of the Triad. Father had sat at that very table only last year.
“Jia, is that you?” A gravelly voice spurs my feet forward .
I peer into the back room and meet two pairs of piercing orbs. Even sitting, the menacing elder males’ auras fill the small space. Behind them, a dozen men dressed in their respective gang’s colors: red for Jianjun’s Red Dragons, yellow for Hao’s Golden Star, and to my surprise, a handful of navy clad Four Seas. Standing behind the chair presumably saved for me is a familiar face, one in which I have no desire to see today. Lei Wang.
Beady eyes fix on mine, and a slimy grin curls his thin lips. Lei was my brother’s best friend. Since his murder, he’s taken it upon himself to assume the leadership role within the Four Seas. He can have it, for all I care.
“Sit down, Jia.” Jianjun ticks his head at the vacant chair to his right. “We have much to discuss today.”
Drawing in a breath, I round the table and narrow my eyes at Lei until he releases his possessive hold on my chair. He may want the throne, but it isn’t his—yet. I fold into the seat, every muscle in my body tense. Still, I keep a practiced smile on my face when I pivot toward the two males. “Let’s get started, then. I’m quite busy myself.”
The hint of a smile curves Jianjun’s lips. He and Bà were close once, as close as one can be to a trusted enemy. “Since Qian’s death,” Jianjun begins, “the Four Seas have been in chaos. This cannot go on, Jia. Your father would have wanted you to assume the role of leadership, to carry on the legacy your grandfather began.”
“Only, as a female, I was never born for this role, Zhang xiānsheng, as I’m sure you are aware.”
“I am, but in the absence of a male heir, the duty falls to you.”
“He is right,” Hao interjects. “The time for indecision has ended. Our territories are at risk from a number of outside forces. The Italians pose a constant threat despite multiple treaties, the Puerto Ricans are moving in, and the Russians…” He clucks his tongue. “We must stand united as a powerful Triad as we once did when your father was with us.”
I open my mouth to interject, but Lei appears over my shoulder.
“If I may suggest an alternative?”
Jianjun and Hao both lift their narrowed gazes to me. I wave a nonchalant hand at the rude male peering over my shoulder. “Sure, why not?”
“It is clear that the beautiful Jia is uninterested in assuming her role, and I cannot blame her. Such nasty business is best left handled to the men.” He tosses me a reassuring smile, and I barely restrain the urge to snarl at him. It isn’t that I can’t handle managing a gang of grown men because I’m a woman, it’s that I have no desire to. But I keep my teeth clenched and allow him to continue, for now. “I offer myself to rule in her place. The Wangs have long served the Guos and Four Seas. It would be my highest honor to continue the legacy Wei Guo began decades ago.”
Jianjun sneers, and Hao lifts an uninterested brow.
Apparently not dissuaded by their reactions to his suggestion, Lei continues, “At the very least, it should be voted upon at the next Triad council meeting.”
“It will never be approved,” Jianjun replies dryly. “Per our custom, the only way in which a new family may take over an established syndicate is by terminating the remaining bloodline.” All eyes pivot to mine, and I choke down a gasp.
They aren’t serious, are they?
Lei would have to kill me to assume the leadership of the Four Seas?
I wouldn’t put it past the conniving male, not for an instant.
“Perhaps it’s time to modernize our barbaric ways,” I blurt. “Why should I be forced to rule or die?” What I really want to say is “fuck you all.” But there are at least a dozen males with guns in this small room, and a shootout would be a bloodbath for all.
Jianjun scowls, his glare of disapproval reminding me too much of my father. “It is tradition, Jia, and we will uphold it.”
“Then I formally request an audience with the Triad council,” Lei announces.
The old male shakes his head and blows out a frustrated breath. “Fine, Lei. Your request has been noted.” Then he turns to me, that frown carving deeper into his wrinkled jowl. “As heir of the Four Seas, you will be required to attend the meeting as well.”
“Can’t I just tell you my vote now?”
“No,” Hao and Jianjun bark in unison. “We will preserve our traditions,” Jianjun adds. “We will inform both of you when the meeting has been scheduled.”
I can’t help the dramatic eyeroll from taking over my perfectly schooled expression.
“And Jia,” Jianjun snaps, “in the meantime, I expect you to exert a firmer control over the Four Seas.” He shoots a pointed glare in Lei’s direction. “The proliferating violence rampant across the Lower East Side must come to an end. We’ve lost too many lives on all sides in the past few weeks.”
I nod, lips pressed into a tight line. I have no idea where I’d even start. I haven’t been down to Qian’s whorehouse—or rather, warehouse, since my brother’s death. “I’ll see what I can do.” I remain seated despite every nerve ending screaming at me to bolt out of this awkward meeting.
“I suppose we’ll have to postpone this discussion until the decision of leadership has been finalized.” Jianjun sends another disappointed glance in my direction. Finally, once he and Hao stand, I slowly rise and dip my head.
The elders file out of the room with their respective men trailing behind. Once they’re gone, I release the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Well, that went well. The men of the Four Seas remain, lingering behind me as I waver at the threshold.
Lei turns to me before I can gather my wits enough to take a step out. “You know, Jia, there is another way to get around this.” He inches closer and sweeps a dark lock of hair behind his ear, calling my attention to the tattoo along his left temple and cheek: a series of Chinese symbols. Though I can understand my mother tongue, I’m a bit rusty when it comes to speaking and reading it.
“What’s that?” I finally ask when he doesn’t continue.
“If we were to be married, we could rule together without anyone’s permission.” A creepy smirk pulls at his thin lips, and nausea claws up my throat. I’d rather run away than ever allow this sniveling rat’s hands on me.
My brother had already attempted to force me to marry one of the Rossi brothers to cement our reign across the Lower East Side. With the Red Dragons allied with the Valentinos, it was a calculated move, and a smart one at that. Too bad Qian died before he was able to force me into the marriage. Now with him gone, no one would compel my hand like that again.
Gritting my teeth, I grind out, “I could never impose on your kindness like that. Taking on a wife is quite a sacrifice.”
“One I would be more than happy to assume.” He leans closer, sidling beside me, and his hot breath lifts the hair on the back of my neck. “Think about it, Jia. I could finally accomplish what your father and brother never could: supremacy for the Four Seas. No more bowing to the Red Dragons or Golden Star, or worse yet, those barbaric Italians.”
I swallow hard, maintaining the pleasant smile on my face costing every ounce of self-control I possess. Lei Wang is a loose cannon. I may not know much about the Four Seas or their operations, but even I know it’s because of him Jianjun and Hao are so desperate for order to be established. My brother was a psychopath, and Lei is eager to follow in his footsteps .
“I will think on it. Thank you for the generous offer.” I clench my teeth into a smile, but I’m certain it comes off more like a feral sneer.
The kitchen door swings open, and a familiar pair of dark eyes lift to mine. “ Yéye ?”