Blood, Sweat And Tears

Part Twenty - Three

           The war.
           It had begun.
           Jackson had a meeting with all his Chinese allies. There were three other cartel leaders with him in the meeting from their own cartels. Song, Wu, Zhang.
              The head of the Song Cartel, and the only lady plus the oldest at the meeting table, Victoria Song Qian, crossed her fingers. " Are we just going to sit around like a bunch of fools and wait for the Russians to attack us?"
               " No. We are doing something. You just don't think it is," Zhang Yixing fired back as he leaned back in his chair. The head of the Zhang Cartel and the Song Cartel had never really gotten along, but they never outright hated each other. The dynamics between them was rather strange, but honestly, Jackson and Wu Yifan didn't really care, as long as their cartels were fine.
            "Oh? And just sitting around is doing something? Sorry, but how is that doing something? " Victoria retorted as she flipped her hair.
               "If you think it's a waste of time then why are you here, Qian? " Yifan asked coolly, regarding Yixing and Victoria with steely eyes. He picked at his nails while they gaped at him, most likely plotting his death, but then again, they'd done thar a hundred times over.
               Jackson rolled his eyes. It was a mistake to come to this meeting solo. With Mark it would've been easier to control the meeting. He had a way with Wu, Song and Zhang.
             " Enough bickering.  We are not children. We are here to discuss the Russians, not have childish arguments," Jackson snapped as he slammed his hand down on the table to silence the three.
              When he had his silence, he finally began.
              "Firstly, I need all of you to stop having these childish arguments. I don't want children for allies." Jackson paused both to catch his breath and to survey his allies before continuing.
            "Secondly, I have a boy in my prisons you'll definitely take interest in."
             Victoria arched a brow and leaned back, toying with the silver and emerald necklace around her neck as she did so. She wet her lips and fixed a steely glance on Jackson. " And who is this boy you're talking about? Someone you threw into the prisons because he looked at your daughter? " she joked dryly as she let her necklace fall back down.
            The glare that Jackson gave to her in return was icy cold. "Do not presume to speak about Yiren."
               The screen came on, displaying a high quality camera feed dating back to yesterday. It showed a wide, gray, four walled room with only a single pallet, a tiny square of a window, a miserable little toilet and the promised boy.
              The camera showed a clear picture of the boy. He was tall and skinny, Russian. He had a head of fair curls and very fine, almost feminine features. His eyes were very big and blue and empty. His clothing was fine but soiled. He'd obviously been there for some time.
              Victoria, Yixing and Yifan all recognized the boy's face. Jackson smiled coldly to himself. He was feeling extremely satisfied with himself now.
           " Isn't that . . ." A shell shocked Yifan sputtered as he watched the boy move about on the screen.
            The cold smile on Jackson's face only increased in size and iciness.
             " Yes. The son of the head of Icarus."
______________________________
              Jungkook headed down the flower road to Taehyung's office.
              He had so much questions he wanted answers to. One was more prominent and pressing than the others he had. Why won't you let me go to this Park Jimin if he's my brother and relative?
             The two massive gold candelabras by the thick oak door were now filled with baby's breath, soft pink carnations and pale yellow daffodils. It was lovely how Taehyung loved flowers so much. It gave the drug lord a softer, more delicate and small side.
                He opened the door and instead of seeing Taehyung, he saw someone else behind the rosewood desk.
                 Roses bloomed beside the two as Jungkook just stood by the door, unsure as to what to do. The male behind the desk looked up. He had an easy smile and a pleasant looking face. His hair was dyed blonde with an undercut.
               " Hello," the blonde person said cheerfully. " You must be Jeon Jungkook. "
                "Uhh . . .yeah. I'm Jeon Jungkook," he stuttered awkwardly as he stood there not knowing what to do.
                "I'm Kim Namjoon. Taehyung's elder brother. "