CHAPTER 15: A SCORE TO SETTLE

Jordan brought the car to a stop and I was the first one out. I couldn’t wait to get this over and done with. Getting Jess back was the first and foremost thing on my mind.

It was one of those warehouses in some god-forsaken place. No wonder those triad movies tend to stereo-type so much. When it comes to imagination, we are definitely lacking in the originality department.

Hung yeh and his goons were already waiting for us. The bastard stood there smiling away. #%$, how I hated him. But where was Jess? My stomach tightened. Damn. If he was thinking of going back on his side of the bargain, if he had done anything to hurt her...my hand unconsciously felt for the 0.45 S&W I had slipped into my jeans. Unceremonious and unlady-like sure, but this was not the time to ponder about how my hair looked like or what clothes and accessories I was wearing. Once Jess was safely back with me, I was going to pump that cocky bastard standing across from me full of hot lead. I grinned as I imagined his bloody body sprawled on the ground, guts and brain spilling out. Nobody hurts Jess and gets away with it.

It was the usual sarcastic greetings, but this once Hung yeh wasted no time in getting down to business. I had brought the documents to White Dragon’s so-called ‘legal’ businesses and all it needed was his signature to finalise the transfer of ownership. Those documents were what he wanted. I refused. They were my only bargaining tool. He would not have them until I had Jess.

He scowled, obviously displeased and impatient at me delaying. He snapped his fingers and two neanderthal-like goons half-dragged, half-pulled a struggling and kicking Jess out from behind. I felt like laughing out loud. Way to go Jess. I guess I was a little relieved when I saw her. She looked fine. Unhurt. The two apes that brought her out seem more worst off than she was from the grimace on their faces. She brightened up a bit when she noticed me and lightened up on her struggles. I smiled at her with what I hoped was a reassuring smile. She didn’t have to worry. I would get her out of this mess.

Hung yeh pulled her towards him and again asked for the documents. I gestured towards Jess and told him that if Jess was not by my side, he wasn’t going to get anything. Jess looked at me bright-eyed, probably wondering what it was that Hung yeh was using her to blackmial me for. Hung yeh scoffed at my request and as if to punish me for my impertinence, he grabbed a handful of Jess’ hair and yanked her head, causing her to scream in pain. I panicked. This asshole was really pushing my limits. Now, not only did I want to kill him, I wanted to kill him slowly, to watch him suffer a long and torturous death. But Jess’ screams forced to me relent quickly. Okay, we’ll do this together. I hand him the documents, he hands me Jess. Both at the same time. Agree? Good. And we did just that. Hung yeh got his documents and I got Jess. Seeing her safe, I felt as if an overwhelming burden had just been lifted off my shoulders. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her like there was no tomorrow. Jordan was frantically undoing the ropes around her hands, freeing her from her binds. At the same time, he was also pushing us along. This was a dangerous place to be in. The deal had been done. We had to leave as fast as possible. There’s no telling what could happen. Furthermore, our men were awaiting my orders to strike. There was no way I was going to let Hung yeh off this easy. Now that I had made sure Jess was back, it was time to settle matters with that bastard.

I saw Jess into the car and waved her off, giving her some excuse that I still had stuff to wrap up with Hung yeh. Sure enough she protested, insisting that I leave with her. Don’t worry. I’ll be back, I told her. Gosh, that sounded like the Terminator. Too many reruns, I think.

As soon as she was out of sight, I nodded to Jordan who gave the signal. Car loads of our men appeared and very soon, it was a war scene. The smell of gunpowder and the sound ofgunfire filled the air. I crept and ran closer towards the warehouse, using whatever I could find to shield myself. I wanted Hung yeh for myself. Where was that asshole?

Suddenly there was a shout to cease fire. It was Hung yeh. Victory was within my grasp, I thought and smiled. I saw him walk out, expecting him to have his hands up in the air in surrender. But to my shock, there was Jess instead. How did Jess end up in the clutches of that bastard again? @%#$! Hung yeh screamed at me. He screamed at me for breaking our pact, for double-crossing him, for having the nerve to think I could out-wit him. Fot that, you’ll have to pay, he yelled. I watched in desperation and horror as he placed the barrel of his gun next to Jess’ head. I screamed as I saw him pull the trigger.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...”