Veil of Secrets - Chap 48

The scent of antiseptic and cigarette smoke filled the sunroom, a new addition to the safe house. Zhang sat stiffly in an oversized leather chair, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal the bandages wrapping his side. His body ached, but the pain was nothing compared to the fury simmering beneath his skin.

This hadn't been part of his plan. He was supposed to be in control, dominating the underworld of Bayside. Instead, he was licking his wounds while the city moved on without him.

He'd heard the doctor let someone into the house, but their conversation was muffled. His hand rested on the gun lying on his lap. The sounds of footsteps coming closer made the hair on his neck bristle. He waited, his finger inching closer to the trigger of the gun.

"Mr. Wei—" A woman in her 50s stepped into view. "Sorry to disturb you, sir, but Leo is here and says it's urgent he speak with you."

The word urgent didn't bother him as much as Leo had come alone. Where were Carlos and Tony?

He ground his cigarette in the ashtray and nodded, "Thank you, Dongmei. Show him in."

Moments later, Leo entered the sunroom, dropping the doctor's briefcase on an adjacent table.

Zhang's eyes glared at Leo, ignoring the briefcase. "Where are the other two? Is the job done?" he snapped.

Leo hesitated before speaking. He knew Zhang was already angry. What he was about to say would only make it worse.

"Carlos and Tony didn't make it out."

Zhang's fingers drummed slowly against the armrest. His expression didn't change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. "I sent three men to silence a sniveling old man who deals with bodies, and two of them are dead? Tell me, how could that have happened? Was he expecting you? Was Bayside's finest armed and waiting?" Zhang snapped the weapon from his lap and pointed it at Leo. "Tell me why I should save your life. Then I could wash my hands of all three of you."

Leo swallowed and tried to clear his throat. "They aren't dead. I can explain —"

Zhang fired the gun into the wall. "Explain — how do you tell me that two men are missing but not dead, and yet you are still standing here?"

"Carlos killed the coroner as you ordered. We were going to cover the body so it might not be discovered immediately. When I grabbed a sheet, it was covering another cadaver — one filled with bricks of white powder. Carlos told me to put it in the doctor's briefcase." He nodded toward the table. "I took it to the car while they finished up. I thought they were right behind me. But when I heard gunfire, I knew something was going down." Leo rubbed his neck, trying to relieve the tension. "Li Jing learned of their arrest and sent Rosalie to investigate."

Neither man spoke. Zhang's eyes narrowed as he stared down the barrel of the gun.

Leo's knees were trembling, almost sure that his life was about to end. He swallowed and rubbed a hand over his mouth. "Our contact told Li Jing she walked out of the interrogation."

Zhang's fingers on his left hand curled into a fist. He pulled his body up, ignoring the pain that flared in his side. "Let me understand this — this woman — she left those two idiots in the hands of the police?" He slammed the gun against the side table. "Where is she?"

"Off the radar, sir. Li Jing has everyone looking for her, but they've come up empty-handed."

Zhang's patience snapped. He turned toward Leo, his voice cold and precise. "Find her." His jaw tightened. His gaze flickered back to Leo. "And the two inside?"

Leo shook his head. "DeLuca got them. They disappeared into protective custody."

Zhang closed his eyes for a second, forcing himself to think. He reached for his phone and dialed. When the voice at the other end answered, Zhang snarled, "I want you to find Carlos and Tony. I want them dead." Then, his voice was low, dangerous. "And Li Jing, the Jarvis woman, shouldn't be an easy death." He ended the call.

Zhang inhaled through his nose, forcing himself to focus. "And what's this?" He nodded toward the case Leo had tossed onto the table.

Leo shifted on his feet. "Drugs."

Zhang frowned. That wasn't his business. Art theft, smuggling, and trafficking—clean, high-value trades requiring precision—formed the foundation of his empire. Drugs? That was for street rats. Sloppy. Risky.

His eyes flicked back to the package. But — it was money — a lot of money.

Leo hesitated before adding, "There's more. Looks like some other crew is moving in. Not just drugs. They're expanding—our territory."

Zhang exhaled slowly, rolling his neck as he considered.

First, Rosalie walked out on him.

Now, someone was moving into his city — something he wasn't aware of and wanted to know why. Hadn't he just eliminated New York? And Jack Lexington wouldn't be involved in drugs.

New business or not, he wanted his share — and control.

His fingers tapped the armrest, a slow, methodical rhythm. The pain shooting through his side reminded him why he was sidelined.

Rosalie was already upping her game in a more exclusive part of town. Her assistant had arranged everything—the penthouse, the security codes, and a discreet suitcase filled with essentials. It had been waiting for her when she arrived late last night. The owner was out of town, making it the perfect place to disappear.

She stood on the penthouse terrace, coffee in hand, the morning sun casting golden streaks across the skyline.

The city felt different up here—detached, quiet like she was hovering above it rather than part of it. But she knew better. The game never stopped. Not at sunrise. Not ever.

She had gone to sleep, knowing someone would be looking for her. Zhang's men. Maybe even the police. A smile crossed her lips with her next thought — perhaps the judge.

The knock at the door was firm — not the kind that came from someone impatient.

She exhaled slowly, setting her coffee down before making her way inside. She checked the peephole and opened the door. The doorman stood there, his posture respectful, but his gaze just a little too knowing. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

He held a sleek black and gold-wrapped bouquet and a large vase—long-stemmed roses.

A slow smile pulled at Rosalie's lips. She didn't need to check who they were from. She stepped back, allowing the man to enter. She watched as he set the flowers on a side table before bowing his head slightly, tipping his hat, and offering a simple. "Good day."

The penthouse was silent again.

She took a step forward, her fingers drifting toward the arrangement. The deep red petals were velvety soft, the scent rich and intoxicating. Tucked between the blooms — a small white envelope.

She plucked it free, sliding a neatly folded card from inside— no signature — just a handwritten note in elegant script.

Dinner. Tonight. The Carmichael Club. Private. 9 p.m.

Rosalie exhaled slowly, a slight smirk curling her lips.

Garland.

She ran her finger along the edge of the card, rolling her shoulders back. He thought he was pursuing her now.

Good.

She moved toward her desk, plucking her phone from her bag. She'd let him believe she was falling right into his hands. And by the time the night was over? He'd be wrapped around her finger, a mere pawn in her game.

*****

As Zhang dismissed Leo, a well-dressed man stepped out from behind a floral Chinese screen—a towering, silent, and composed figure, but his presence cracked with danger. He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, his expression a closed book.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Before he leaves, you may need to decide about the girl.

Leo blinked. His heart stumbled in his chest. A vision of him holding a gun to a baby's head sent chills down his spine.

Zhang frowned slightly, rolling his neck. "What girl?"

The bodyguard stepped forward, crossing his arms. "The baby, boss." His voice was deep and controlled. "What do you want done with her?"

Zhang let out a short breath, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He hadn't thought about the kid once since taking her. The kidnapping had been a statement, nothing more. It was a way to make Donatelli sweat.

Now? She was just an inconvenience.

Flicking his fingers toward Leo, Zhang muttered, "Call Elaine Chao at the Embassy. She will put you in touch with the orphanage that handles international adoptions.

The bodyguard remained motionless except for a simple hand movement, adjusting a cufflink—a message to Zhang.

Zhang exhaled through his nose. "Wait!" Nodding toward his bodyguard, he said, "You call Elaine. We need an orphanage off the books. Foreign buyers. We won't have to worry about her after that." Zhang's eyes sharpened. "Something wrong?"

The man quickly shook his head. "No, sir. I'll make the call."

But Zhang wasn't done. As his man turned to leave, Zhang reached for his phone.

He had no intention of waiting here, bleeding out, while others moved his pieces for him.

His thumb hovered over a private number before dialing. The voice on the other end answered immediately.

"Prepare the jet."

"Destination, sir?" The voice paused. "For the flight plan, sir."

Zhang exhaled, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "No flight plan. I'll give you the destination when I arrive."

"Yes, sir. Will there be anyone else accompanying you, sir?"

Zhang exhaled slowly. "The usual and a baby." His hand rubbed against his side. "A doctor and nurse."

"We'll be ready, sir."

Zhang snarled one last thought into the phone, "Of course, I don't need to remind you that no one learns of this flight."

"No, sir."

Zhang disconnected the call. His voice was cold. He met the bodyguard's gaze. "It might be safer out of town while I heal."

The bodyguard gave a slow nod and didn't argue.

Neither did Leo. Because when Zhang made a decision, it wasn't up for debate.

*****