Page 7 of Labria

This was my first meeting with Wu. I was anxious, but meeting new people was becoming this never-ending cycle in my life. I was at a stage in my life where I wanted to fix things with violence instead of conversation and negotiations. For now, the Triads were our allies. They had been friends of the Bregoli’s since the eighties. They would probably stay that way for decades if we both were making money.

My bulletproof truck pulled up to the rear exit of a Chinese restaurant just around the corner from 22ndand Canal Street. An identical truck that had more trained soldiers paid to protect me pulled up behind us. I missed driving myself around. I missed my platinum silver Porsche 911. I had a regular driver now. Retired Marines and ex-Seals surrounded me as my security detail. I was never alone, and this was my new way of life.

For a city alley, this one was cleaner than most. I stepped out of the truck when the designated guard opened the back door for me to exit. I looked up and saw a few Asian men with guns on the roof. A waifish Chinese woman with long, raven colored hair greeted me at the open back door. Her pale face was in stark contrast to her little black dress.

“Ni hao (hello), Mr. Bregoli.” The very petite but beautiful woman slightly bowed her head to me. Her smile was slight by still visible up close.

“Ni hao.” I knew the simple greeting, but not much more.

“I am Ming Wu, the sister of Master Wu.” Her thick accent told me she couldn’t have been born in the states. “It is a pleasure.” Her opaque eyes rolled all over my body before landing back at my face.

“The pleasure is mine.” Not what I intended to say, but it came out all the same. The super-thin ones were never my type, but she was very appealing to the male gaze.

“Please follow me.” She like swam with barely any movement on her part.

She led my two armed protectors and me through the massive empty kitchen of the restaurant and to a back room left of where we had entered from the alley.

“You two wait here.” She said to my two-man security team. I nodded my approval for them to stay at ease.

“Come, Mr. Bregoli. I will take you to my brother.” I followed Sun down a short hallway. The walls and ceiling were painted with Dragons and other animals and objects. I didn’t get much time to focus on the decor.

Half of my entourage stayed with the trucks in the alley. Our new protocol so no one could tamper with the vehicles in the short time we were conducting business. I only had two men inside with me and we hadn’t been frisked for our concealed weapons.

The Chinese were very trusting. Not a trait I possessed. I lost all trust in humanity when that two-bit lady detective tried to extort me, pin bodies on me and threaten my Gram and my girl.

There would be no tensions because this was just a conversation I was having with Lou Wu. There was no need for weapons since we were coming in peace. But I was packing a Glock 9.

When I entered the room behind Ming, I could see the Triads had swords and unconventional weapons all over the room. Everything in this room made it clear I was in Chinatown with no question.

“Mr. Bregoli, my brother, will be in shortly. Would you like a drink?” Ming asked with that same faint smile she displayed earlier.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“Please, have a seat.” She extended her long arms to the leather sofa.

I sat briefly and stood as Lou Wu, the Dragon Master of the Chicago Triads, entered the room alone. He looked more relaxed than in the pictures of him that were shown to me back in Vegas.

To my surprise, Lou Wu was a taller Chinese man of about six feet with jet black hair almost styled identical to mine. He had a strong jawline and dark, almond-shaped eyes. Wu was tailored in a Black suit, but I could see he was physically fit. I didn’t know if it was the gym or martial arts, but he took care of himself.

He walked up to me and presented his hand just as I extended mine. We shook like gentleman. Wu glanced over at his sister.

“I will leave you to talk.” Ming said as she departed, closing the door behind her and giving me the impression of privacy. I always thought someone could be listening in because Nicco had me spooked.

“Please, have a seat.”

I sat back where I was and Wu took a single chair near me instead of sitting behind his grand desk carved with designs like I’d never seen before. The artistry and craftsmanship were exceptional in the woodwork.

“Mr. Bregoli, I appreciate you flying here to speak with me directly.” Wu’s Asian accent wasn’t there at all. I knew he was born in America to Chinese immigrants. He was educated and well respected in his community, this I also was made aware.

“Did Ming offer you a beverage?”

“Yes, she did. But I’m good.”

“Nice. I know you’re wondering why I called you here.” Wu leaned back in his chair.

“It has crossed my mind.”

“I know that you’re a Chicago Native and I wanted to meet you for some time. I’m sure we will do business together in the future.”

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