Chapter 16
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam-Chiu aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Louis Koo – Luke Yam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Jessica Huen – Carmen Hui aka Cancer
Amy Kwok – Janine Wu
Erin returned home that night to what appeared to be an empty house. Sighing, she thought it would be yet another lonely dinner. Devin had cancelled plans with her and she didn’t feel like being teased by Chuck had she returned to join them for dinner. Suddenly, she heard a loud moan from upstairs. Turning her head up, she recognized it was Jenna.
She walked up the steps cautiously as the girl let out yet another moan “Harder! Come on Ryan, you act like you haven’t had lunch!” she cried.
Erin halted in her steps with a small smile. She decided to return to her room and act like she didn’t know anything. But when she heard Jenna’s voice again, she had to stop “Okay, that’s enough Ryan. You’re too weak, let’s give Luke a chance.”
“Okay, let me at her!” Luke laughed viciously.
She quickly rushed towards Jenna’s room and burst through the door “What is—” she stopped when she saw Jenna on the ground while Luke was stepping on her lower back and Ryan massaging her arms. The three looked up in unison at Erin “Oh…what’s going on?”
“She got hurt in Taekwondo training today.” Ryan explained “Her and her clumsiness. She was tripped and fell on her back.”
Luke laughed as he cupped his mouth “I think she tripped herself so she wouldn’t have to do that competition.”
“Shut up!” Jenna whacked her arm against his calves “I didn’t sabotage myself!”
Erin smiled, embarrassed at what she was thinking “Why don’t you guys try ben-gay medicine like normal people? It wouldn’t probably hurt as bad and you wouldn’t be crying for mercy.”
Luke moved his eyes strangely “Wait…” he stopped Erin before she had a chance to leave “Did you think…” he pointed to Jenna and Ryan.
“No!” Erin answered too quickly and knew from his smile that she was caught.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Luke teased her.
“Shut up.” She pushed his head playfully “If you guys were on the outside and heard the whole thing, you would think that too.”
“Why Erin!” Jenna gasped “I can’t believe you would think that we…at this time of night? It’s too early.” She quickly laughed when Ryan turned away blushing “We’re all adults.” She teased her boyfriend.
Erin shook her head “But he’s still like a brother to me. It’s like imagining Uncle Chuck and Eve…” she didn’t finish as the four shuttered together “Anyways, what’s for dinner?” she sat on the bed while Luke continued cracking Jenna’s back.
“Dinner? Didn’t you have plans with you know who?” Jenna mocked.
“Who?” Luke asked suspiciously while the three talked in code.
Ryan nodded in agreement “Yeah, he told us in person this morning.”
“No, he canceled at the last minute.” Erin sighed.
“Who?!” Luke demanded but everyone ignored him.
Jenna sighed “Typical. Why do all men cancel at the last minute?”
“I don’t.” Ryan defended.
“Of course you don’t. You better not.” Jenna eyed him carefully “Do you know what he’s doing?” she asked Erin.
“No.” shaking her head “Something about an old friend.”
“Oh…I know who you’re talking about.” Luke grinned slyly.
“Genius here is going to be an agent next.” Erin flicked her thumb at him “I’d be worried if you didn’t know who we were talking about.”
He laughed “So…the sexual tension bubble finally burst huh? Did you two have mad sex on the floor of his apartment?”
“Ew!!” Jenna and Ryan groaned with disgust “That’s my Uncle!”
“And Ga Jei!” Ryan complained “She would have been yours too.” He pointed out.
Luke rolled his eyes “Please, if she was mine then she wouldn’t be doing it with Devin on the floor of his apartment. That would be cheating on my brother.” He said matter-of-factly.
“Boy, you’ve got problems.” Erin said as she returned downstairs “Luke get down here and cook something!!” She screamed.
“Well, don’t take it out on me.” Luke emerged from the room huffing with each stomp down the stairs.
****************
“You look good.” Devin smiled across the table.
Janine was busy fixing Ah Ming’s shirt “You don’t have to compliment me, Devin.” She returned to him with a smile “But thanks.”
He nodded “So, where’s John?”
“Business trip.” She replied shortly.
“Really? What kind of work does he do?” Devin asked nosily. It was out of nature for him and she knew it.
Sighing, she slumped in her seat “If you already know, why do you bother playing along?”
“How did he die?” Devin did research in China and realized that her husband had passed away a year before. The records were scarce and did not leave a reason for death.
She looked past his shoulder, a distant expression on her face “About a year an a half ago, he signed a contract with another business man. They had an idea to open a company manufacturing jewelry. He took a big chunk of loan from the ‘sharks’. Not knowing that the man was a big scam, he ran off with the money and left John in a huge debt.”
“How much?” Devin looked concern, he knew where the story would end.
“Ten mil.” She snickered “What a joke. I was broke enough as it is, how would I find the money to help him? He was devastated and drank until he couldn’t think anymore. The sharks wouldn’t let it go that easy. They trailed us everywhere and tried to kidnap Ah Ming a few times.” He nodded, finally understanding why she told him to let the guy go “We went into hiding but they continued to find us everywhere we went.”
“They killed him?” Devin assumed.
Janine smiled shortly “Pretty much. They forced him off a high rise making a suicide scene with drunken bottles and filled his lungs with alcohol before he was pushed off. The doctors and police closed the files and concluded the death as suicide but I knew better.”
“They are still harassing you?” Devin asked. Janine nodded “Why didn’t you contact the police?”
“And tell them what? That my dead husband was scammed from a ten million dollar debt that he signed for? They would laugh at my face.” She turned up at Devin, who continued to look worried “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“What?” he asked.
“You’re always thinking of ways to better the situation. Even when we dated, you always thought about what to do to make things better. The number one in the class, it’s a wonder Daniel is still so jealous of you.” She chuckled lightly.
“You saw him?” Devin crunched his brows together.
Janine leaned onto the top of the table “What happened to you guys? You were such good friends back in high school?”
Devin snickered “You said it. Back then…things change, people change. I won’t forget how he backstabbed me for that job at the Police Department in Beijing. He’s always wanted everything I have…even you.”
She understood his anger “But he’s not as bad as you think he is.”
“There’s nothing you could say to prove that.” Devin was firm.
Janine smiled “What if I told you, he’s been helping me with the debt for the past year?”
His expression quickly cooled “He what?”
Nodding, she confirmed “I ran into him at John’s funeral. Barely anyone showed up, afraid that they would be tangled with the loan sharks. But Daniel showed up and offered to help me. He had no interest of making me pay it back. I eventually sold everything John owed and covered the hole temporarily. But every time I didn’t come up with the deposit, they’d go after Ah Ming. Daniel felt bad for me and helped me each time they kidnapped Ah Ming and demanded another deposit. Honestly, I don’t know what would happen to us if Daniel wasn’t there.”
Devin had his own reasons but hearing it from Janine, he could not help but admitted “Maybe he has changed.”
“I don’t know what truly happened between you two. But I don’t want this misunderstanding to continue. Couldn’t you let the past be in the past and move on from here? He tells me you are head of security now. Congratulations.” She said sincerely.
“It’s just temporary, but my heart is with the P.R.A. I guess you know Daniel is the Commander in Chief for Hong Kong.” Devin’s tone was undeniably bitter.
Janine tilted her head “Yes. And apparently, you two have to work tight together.”
“I’m not happy about that.” He snorted.
“I hate to see you two like this. We were all such good friends back then. I know there are things that’s hard to forgive and forget but I’ve forgiven you, why can’t you do the same?” Janine smoothed Ah Ming’s hair “I’ve grown up a lot since we became a two people family.”
“I want to do my part.” Devin reached out and touched her hand, confirming that he was genuine.
“I hear your girlfriend is very pretty.” Her words made his hand slip away “And she’s an agent. Why didn’t you mention her before?”
Devin lowered his head “I didn’t get a chance to.”
“You didn’t want to hurt me.” Janine corrected. This time she reached her hand out to him “Hey, you don’t have to repay anything back to me. It was my choice to have Ah Ming and not tell you about it. I wasn’t upset, I just didn’t find it necessary. Maybe it was selfish of me to raise him on my own but I didn’t want to bother anyone.”
“Even his real father?” Devin whispered “You haven’t changed either. Still independent.” She smiled with a lowered head “Have they attempted to kidnap Ah Ming again?”
Janine looked him in the eye “No. Daniel has taken care of everything. Just a couple more deposits.”
“Can I help?” he offered willingly.
Shaking her head softly, she answered, “One person to repay is enough for me. I don’t want to drag you into the mess anymore. All I ask is that you come visit Ah Ming once in a while.” She pulled out a paper from her purse and scribbled words over it “This is my temporary home until Daniel finds me a new apartment.”
“I will.” He promised.
Sighing, she patted her son on the head “Let’s go home. You have school tomorrow.” She smiled motherly.
“Okay, mommy.” The kid collected his coloring book and crayons “Thank you Uncle for the gift.” He smiled politely.
“You didn’t need to get him coloring books. But it seems he likes it.” Janine smiled when Ah Ming handed her a colored picture. The faces were blue and body was green but it was the first picture he’s colored.
“Just a hunch.” Devin made a mental note to get Bonnie a gift for giving him such a broad outlook on children.
“Did you get that from Bonnie?” Janine teased.
“Yes, how did you know?” he laughed “I figured a five year old would know what another five year old likes.”
Ah Ming looked up at his mother with rounded eyes “Will I see Bonnie again? I didn’t get to talk to her long this morning.”
“This morning?” Devin questioned.
“It’s getting late, we have to go home.” Janine said hastily as she pulled him into her arms and walked out before Devin could get an answer out of her.
Chapter 17
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam-Chiu aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Jessica Huen – Carmen Hui aka Cancer
Gigi Lai – Chan Yan Kiu
Michael Tong – Ah Chung
Devin glanced at his pager, it was ringing off the hook since he started dinner with Janine. It read emergency meeting from Mia and Darren. Rolling his eyes, he wondered what the girl was up to. Taking his time, he made it to headquarters an hour later. Everyone was already there and looking very bored while Mia paced the floors “Well, well, well…look what the cat dragged in. I was beginning to think if you forgot where our office was!”
Devin cross his arms “This better be important, Mia.”
“Apparently it is, but she won’t start until YOU got here.” Reina instructed.
He took an empty seat next to Erin, which belonged to Mia, but since she was at the head of the table, he let her have the seat “Let’s get this show on the road.” He nodded.
Mia leaned onto the table towards Devin “Mr. Devin, now…I believe I speak for everyone when I ask—”
Matt raised his hand to interrupt her “Wait, don’t speak for me.”
“Me too.” Jenna agreed.
Reina raised her hand with a cool smile “You know the last time you spoke for me, I ended up working at the Senior Citizen’s home mopping the floors and hallways for a month.”
“Not to mention, clean the toilet, wash dishes and change their bedpans.” Erin finished.
“Ew…really?” Carmen asked and she nodded “Well, put me on that list too.”
Mia’s nose flared while Darren and Ryan exchanged smiles, they new better than to chime in “Are we finished?” she gritted her teeth.
“Yes. Meeting adjourned.” Devin began to get up when Mia grunted and pointed at him.
“No liar! You’re not getting away that fast.” She threatened “I think everyone needs to know exactly what’s going on inside the P.R.A.” she began pacing the floors again “I will leave the personal life out of it.” Her eyes glared at Erin making everyone roll their eyes “But, what is this about Doug’s private mission? Where is Doug really?” she asked.
Devin sighed, “Is this why you called the meeting? Mia, I was going to announce it tomorrow at our weekly meeting.”
“You were?” She was taken aback.
“But since you guys are here…” Devin got up and exchanges seats with Mia “Doug has made quite a discovery.” He summarized the situation with Ah Kiu and how he came to find her identity “Erin talked to Ah Gam and got a bit of information from him. Doug is still faking to be Ah Gam.”
“That’s dangerous!” Jenna exclaimed, “What if they find out?”
“It’s too late for that. He’s knee deep in this case. We cannot just pull him out. Plus, Ah Kiu would be in grave danger.” Erin advised, “According to Ah Gam, she is innocent from her brother’s dark business. She is the sole heir to everything he owns. If she dies, there will be a triad war so big even we couldn’t take them down.”
“It would only be more work for everyone. Unnecessary work.” Devin finished.
Matt leaned onto the table thoughtfully “So what do you suppose we should do? Doug can stay undercover but for how long? Surely one of Hung Gor’s guys will recognize that he is not Ah Gamr.”
“He’s a smart guy, I’m sure he’ll know what to do.” Devin said with confidence.
“Wait, are we still talking about the same Doug?” Mia asked “Because I thought you just said smart.”
Devin smiled “He’s not that bad, Mia.”
Jenna had a bad feeling “But we have no way of contacting him? Or he calls us when he finds a free minute?”
“I was just getting to that.” Devin nodded at Matt “Have they come up with the EP3000 yet?”
“Woooh! What is that?” Mia raised her hands to stop him.
Matt laughed, “The EP3000 is the new state of the art, earpiece. It’s made of clear silicone material that is unidentifiable piece that you will have to look inside the ear to actually see it. It molds to the shape of your inner ear after five minutes. All it takes is body heat. Indestructible and waterproof, it can go anywhere with you and not lose it’s usage underwater.”
“Cool…” Carmen breathed.
“It was just released this morning.” Matt agreed with a nod.
“Great!” Devin smiled “I need one of you guys to sneak it off to Doug.”
Everyone turned to Mia for some reason “I’m not doing it!” she disagreed.
“But you were so eager to know about Doug’s safety. Now you get to see him first hand.” Erin teased.
“No, no…gangsters and me don’t mix.” Mia shook her head sternly.
Devin laughed, “Fine, I won’t force you. Plus I think you’d blow his cover somehow.” She dropped her jaw in astonishment “Don’t look surprise, you know it’s true.” She eventually nodded “Jenna, why don’t you go?”
“Me?” Jenna looked around.
“You did well with Robert Kwok’s case. Plus, this is just slipping him an ear device. Shouldn’t take more than two seconds.” Devin assured her.
Matt turned to her with a last piece of advice “If they see you, think fast and try to stay calm. They’re gangsters, an excuse will not work with them.”
“Worse comes to worse, just do what Mia does. Act crazy and they’ll stay away from you.” Darren advised.
“Be careful.” Ryan said genuinely.
“I will.” Jenna turned to her Uncle “Set up a time and date and let me know.”
“Okay.” He agreed and turned to his team “Meeting adjourned.” The group began to disperse. Devin suggested that Jenna pick up the earpiece at the weapons room. When she returned to the front, she noticed he was ending a call “Okay, she’ll be there.”
“Is that Doug?” Jenna questioned.
He turned with a solemn nod “He’s at Club Midnite in Tsim Sa Tsui. I told him to expect you.”
“Right now?” her eyes widened.
“No, I was thinking in two weeks.” Devin laughed “Yes, of course tonight. The earlier the better. He can’t keep calling us, they’ll eventually catch him.”
“But I’m not ready. I’ve got no plan of attack and no backup plan…what if they catch me? What do I do?” she appeared to be panicking.
Devin frowned “What’s the matter with you? I’d thought you’d jump at the chance to work? Why are you so nervous?”
“So it proves I can’t concentrate that well. AND I get nervous when in a tough situation.” She hinted obviously.
He arched a brow at his niece “Is this about the Taekwondo competition?”
“Uncle! I don’t want to do it anymore. It’s boring and the other day, I cracked my back. If this continues, I’ll eventually die!!” she whined while swinging his arm back and forth.
“The competition is good for you. It will help you maintain control your fit regime and it’s a type of meditation.” He shook his head sternly.
“Then why am I going crazy?!” she exclaimed.
He raised a hand to halt her “I don’t want to hear another word about it. You’ve got five more competitions to go, I suggest you practice hard so you don’t ‘crack’ your back again.” He walked away and pointed a finger in the air “And don’t stick your tongue out, you’re not twelve.”
Jenna retrieved her tongue and pouted her lips. She would have to find another way out of the boring competitions. Taking a cab to club, she arrived half an hour later. She walked into a music blaring scene. Drugs were being passed around from every angle. She looked around calmly and quickly spotted Doug at the bar, drinking a beer. No one was around him, the perfect chance.
Walking around the dance floor, she reached the bar and took a seat nearby. Waving to the bartender, she ordered a drink to catch Doug’s attention. He glanced at her briefly and finished his bottle of beer. Getting up, he spun around and at the same time made sure the gang was not within eye view. Cautiously, he walked over and leaned over the counter towards Jenna “You’re not suppose to be drinking.” He smiled coolly.
“I have to pretend.” She sipped her mixed drink carefully. Slipping a hand into her pocket, she took out the earpiece “Uncle said for you to keep in touch this way.” Slowly she curled the earpiece in between her fingers and pretended to graze his ear. Pushing it slightly, she got it inside with perfection.
“Doug Gor!” Ah Kiu called over the noise after he didn’t hear her the first time.
His eyes widened as he slid his head back “I told you we’re not to come look for me anymore. Why do you still bother me?” he scolded.
Ah Kiu turned her head and noticed Jenna, looking at her from head to toe “Who’s this?” the girl was cute and not to mention very young.
“No one.” Doug reached for Ah Kiu’s hand and began to push her away.
“Oh…is this THE girl?” Ah Kiu stopped Doug “I’ll take care of her.” She whispered while breaking loose from Doug’s grasp. He turned to Jenna and widened his eyes “Look, Doug Gor doesn’t like persistent women. Why don’t you crawl back in the hole you came from and leave him alone?”
Jenna snickered “How do you know he doesn’t like me? If he didn’t, we wouldn’t have done it last night.” She decided to throw in. Thinking the girl was just trying to scare her, she continued, “It was good too. All three times.” She sneered.
Doug closed his eyes and lowered his head “Shit…shit…shit shit.” He cursed over and over “Ah Kiu, this is Jen--”
“Ah Kiu?” Jenna asked, she turned to Doug and he knew she had realized what she gotten herself into.
“Ah, so you’ve heard of me? Doug Gor talks about me?” she crossed her arms coolly and turned to Doug with a dimpled smile “It’s your words against his. He was with me last night, how could he slept with you? Obviously you’re lying.”
“Yeah…I was…sorry.” She muttered and began heading for the door when Ah Kiu turned with a scowl.
“I wasn’t done!!” she shouted.
Suddenly, a crowd of guys stopped at random areas of the club and rushed over to Ah Kiu’s side. Jenna tried to stay calm but it was hard with the glares she was receiving. She froze and turned to Ah Kiu and her group of guys. Glancing at Doug, she sent him signals to help her “Siu Jei, what’s the problem?” Ah Chung stepped over to her.
Ah Kiu smiled “Nothing, I was just having a talk with Jen.” She said her name sweetly “Doug’s nuisance.” She whispered.
Ah Chung tilted his head and slowly a crooked smile appeared “Oh…I’ve heard some things about you.” He crossed his arms and walked over to Jenna for a closer look “Are you the one that keeps calling him at night?” Jenna glanced at Doug and back at Ah Chung with a short nod. He walked around her “Not bad.”
“You like her? Take her.” Ah Kiu brushed an easy hand.
“NO!” Doug exclaimed suddenly causing everyone to turn to him “What’s the rule about not sleeping with a brother’s girl?”
Ah Chung frowned “I thought she wasn’t your girl?”
“We haven’t officially broken up.” Doug explained.
Ah Kiu turned to him “Why are you protecting her? You told me you don’t even like her.”
“Haven’t you heard love and hate is just a thin line?” Doug walked over and took Jenna’s hand as he led her back to Ah Kiu “It’s just a misunderstanding. Jen, apologize to Ah Kiu.”
“I’m sorry.” Jenna said weakly while lowering her head.
Her blood was fuming “Whatever. I’m tired.” Ah Kiu said shortly as she headed towards the door, not bothering to look back at Doug.
“Go with her.” Doug nodded to Ah Chung. He threw Jenna a glance and rushed after Ah Kiu. The rest of the guys followed and some continued to dance and drink. He heard Jenna let out a sigh “What the hell?!”
“I didn’t know! You didn’t tell me it was her and I just thought it was some other girl…” Jenna stammered “Oh great…now she knows my face…this was suppose to take just two seconds!”
“You are so on her black list right now.” Doug shook his head “She’s not an easy gal to get along with.”
“Just because she has this huge crush on you.” Jenna stated “What am I going to do?”
“Wait…you think she has a crush on me?” Doug asked.
“Man, if you’re this slow in bed, I feel bad for Jessie.” Jenna said with sarcasm “She likes you. She’d probably kill for you…hey, like Becca!”
Doug groaned as he rubbed his face “Great…just what I need…”
“Maybe it won’t be that bad. Maybe if I just don’t stick around, then she won’t be upset and send her guys after me?” Jenna assumed.
“Easier said than done. Even if Ah Kiu is willing to forget, her loyal boys won’t. Ah Chung will be the first one after you.” Doug guessed.
She turned unexpectedly and hit him on the arm “This is all your fault!” He widened his eyes at her in shock “Why do you attract all these psychotic women?”
“Hey, Jessie deals with psychos, she’s not psycho!” he corrected “Which reminds me, I have to give her a call.” He stuck out his tongue while she rolled her eyes.
Chapter 18
Patrick Tam – Devin Hsu
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Ruby Lin – Mia Lam-Chiu aka Pisces
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Taurus
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng aka Gemini
Charlene Choi – Jenna Cheung aka Aries
Edison Chan - Ryan Tong aka Sagittarius
Jessica Huen – Carmen Hui aka Cancer
Leon Lai – Daniel Wong
The following morning, Devin, Matt and Reina walked into headquarters together for an early meeting. The three paused when they noticed a band of guys drilling holes and attaching an intercom in the conference room. Daniel turned to the group at the door “I didn’t think anyone would be here this early.” He smiled coolly “Should we come back later?”
Reina pulled Devin by the hand when he took a step forward “Maybe we should call the Commissioner?”
Devin shook his head with a short smile “No, it’s okay.” He turned to Daniel “When you finish, would you mind telling the reception to bring someone up to clean the mess?”
“Sure.” Daniel was puzzled why he had a change in attitude. He expected at least an argument.
Turning to Matt and Reina, he nodded “Let’s go to my office.” Matt shrugged when his fiancé turned to him with raised brows. Devin took a seat behind his large desk while the other two took the empty seats across from him “I was thinking last night, maybe it would be a good idea to get some agents undercover to help assure Ah Kiu’s safety.”
“Who did you have in mind?” Matt asked.
“Our two youngest agents. They fit well and can probably talk the talk and walk the walk.” Devin had confidence in them.
Reina tapped her chin thoughtfully “You want Doug to sneak them in?”
“No, I was thinking more of rival gang. So they would not be too suspicious of Doug. It would cause brows to raise if he suddenly says, I want to bring in two people.” Devin thought it through carefully.
“Rival gang…” Matt nodded “The only one capable of facing Hung Gor’s gang are the Tigers. They’re pretty sturdy, I hear.”
“Do we have connections?” Reina asked.
Devin smiled crookedly “No, but our little friend, Ah Bat does. I asked Ted last night to send out a search warrant for the guy. After he was released from Hung Gor’s case, he seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth.”
Matt snickered “He was lucky Hung Gor didn’t pin anything on him and we couldn’t push him behind bars.”
“He’ll get what’s coming to him.” Reina assured the guys.
“I think Ted should have a lead by now. You guys head out to the Police Department and I’ll let the others know of the new plan.” Devin said.
************
Later that morning, when the rest of the agents strolled in, they were surprised to see Daniel and his crew of electrical engineers cleaning up the conference room. Jenna nudged Erin “You think Uncle will freak when he sees this?”
Daniel heard the whisper as he turned to them with a smile “We’re almost done.” He assured them.
“Done with what?” Mia raised her chin in defiance.
“We’re finished, Sir.” One guy nodded politely.
“You poked a hole into the wall?” Jenna pointed “And what’s that thing?” she pointed to the intercom “Does my Uncle know about this?”
Daniel decided it was best not to answer as he nodded to his boys “Get this mess cleaned up right away. We’ll be out of your hair in five minutes.” He assured them.
He was heading for the door when Erin spoke up “It’s rude not to answer someone’s question.”
He turned to her “Yes and it’s rude not to take someone’s kind offer to pay for dinner and a drink.”
Erin spun her heels to face him, her eyes bulging out “That’s beside the point.”
“Is it?” he asked with a smirk “It’s the same if you ask me.”
“Down, girl.” Mia whispered when she noticed the veins popping from Erin’s temple.
“My offer still stands.” He smiled menacingly.
Devin appeared in the nick of time as he raised his brows at the group “Wow, on time for once. Bet you knew the Commander was coming.” He laughed “Thanks for cleaning that up.” He nodded when his men collected the last bit of crumbs on the table.
“Sure.” Daniel bowed a respectable head. Winking at Erin, he added “Think about it.” Smiling at the rest, he waved brightly “Bye guys! We’ll be in touch.” He nodded to Devin before heading out with his guys.
Jenna clung onto Erin’s arm as she looked around fearfully “Are we in the twilight zone? You’re an alien!” she pointed to Devin who laughed in response.
“Sit down guys, I want to explain what that is.” He nodded to the intercom placed in the center of red oak table “I spoke with the Commissioner and apparently this proposition gives us no choice. I agreed yesterday to take the offer. Although P.R.A. is not going to be controlled by the police force, we will however work tighter together. It took me a few hours to settle the deal with the Commissioner.”
“So we’re good?” Darren asked unsurely.
“For now.” Devin tilted a nodding head “But on to more important things. Jenna how did last night go?”
She smiled weakly “Good…”
“What happened?” he knew his niece better than that.
“I accidentally ticked off Ah Kiu.” She whispered.
“You what?!” Mia exclaimed.
“That’s good.” Devin smiled slyly.
Mia raised her brows and turned to Darren “Maybe we are in the twilight zone.”
“Ahem!” Devin cleared his throat to get her attention “Matt, Reina and I were talking this morning and we thought it would be a good idea to get two more agents undercover with the Triad world. I think some of the older agents are too familiar, so we think that Jenna and Ryan should go.”
“Us?” Ryan pointed to himself and turned to Jenna “Are you sure?”
Devin nodded “Since Jenna got her feet wet, this is a good chance.”
“They think I’m Doug’s girl.” Jenna advised. Mia blew up with laughter as she banged her hand on the table “I could be!” Jenna argued and turned to Ryan “But I’m glad I’m not.”
He grinned, “I’m not mad.”
“That’s even more perfect.” Devin agreed “Ryan, we’re going to sneak you into the Tiger gang. We’ll have a fake identity for you live off of and let’s make things more interesting.”
“How?” Ryan asked, he was intrigued by his new job.
“Two guys from two rival gangs fighting over a girl.” Erin smiled as she figured it out.
“Aww, isn’t that cute. You read his mind.” Mia gushed purposely.
Carmen raised her hand “How are we getting Ryan inside?”
“Good question.” Devin nodded “Reina and Matt are taking care of it as we speak.”
“Wow, they have the power to get Ryan in?” Mia dropped her jaw “Hey, ask them if they can get me to mee Mel Gor.”
Devin turned to her oddly “Mia, we’re using Ah Bat to get through. And who is this Mel Gor?”
“Just the most powerful gangster in the history of Triads!” Mia exclaimed, “Gees, for a Head, you sure don’t do your homework.”
The group stifled laughs while Devin crossed his arms “Good idea Mia. Homework, which reminds me, you’re late on the report for the ransom case. Everyone else got it in on time.”
She glared at her teammates “I thought we were boycotting that idea?”
“You didn’t get the memo?” Devin teased openly “It was rejected.” She muttered something incoherent as he laughed “Meeting adjourned. Keep your pagers on, I could call for backup tonight. Ryan, get ready to meet up with Reina and Matt.”
“Yes Sir.” Ryan nodded.
Erin lingered behind to wait for Devin, who was getting files ready in his office “You’re not gone yet?” she turned to Daniel’s voice “I forgot my cell phone.” He pointed to the conference room.
She pulled it out of her bag “I thought it was Mia’s.” she smiled and handed it over.
Their hands grazed as he smiled slowly “Hey, I know I come off as a jerk…but no excuses.” He raised a hand “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not exactly an angel.” She replied.
“So we’re even?” he laughed and she nodded. A moment of silence swept through and he quickly broke it “Anyways, I should go…”
“Bye.” She nodded politely.
Daniel hesitated to walk away and he eventually turned “My offer does stand.”
“I’ll think about it.” She replied.
“Great!” he sighed with relief “I’ll see you around.”
Erin smiled at the clumsy Commander as he tripped over a step but caught himself before he fell flat on his face. Embarrassed, he walked out coolly. Turning to check on Devin, she found him a few feet away “Hey, you ready?” she grinned.
“I may have gotten over the proposition and the past but I still don’t like the guy.” He said clearly.
“Is that a warning?” Erin raised her brows.
“No, it’s a comment.” Devin stepped closer “He wasn’t voted friendliest in high school. I can only tolerate but I cannot accept that he’s hitting on my girl.”
Erin smiled teasingly “Your girl? Wow, last time I check we didn’t have labels.”
“Consider it whatever you want. But I’m not losing you to another guy.” He said firmly.
“So I can’t have dinner with guy friends?” she asked.
It was hard to read her face as he tried to look calm “I don’t care who you have dinner with but I just don’t want it to be Daniel.” He wouldn’t admit it but he was threatened by the charming Commander. Not only was he tall and handsome, he knew what women wanted. Molding himself to perfection from girl to girl, he’s witnessed it since high school and can only imagine what a pro he has become.
Erin sighed, “I’m not interested in him.”
“But he’s in you.” Devin gave up as he lowered his head.
She rolled her eyes with a shake of the head. Walking away, she paused at the door and turned to him “We still having breakfast?” Devin looked up with a smile as he sped over to her. She reached for his hand as the two exited the building together.
SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004
