• San Francisco, California, United States
• Two weeks ago we came to the States and tried to discreetly look around. Or at least our men were doing it. Jungkook and I had been staying in one of the hotels on the outskirts of the city for two weeks, trying not to attract attention. Our men dispersed around the city, trying to find out anything about the situation in Seattle. So far, we have been unsuccessful, and even Hoseok had temporary trouble finding valuable information. In addition, Jungkook was becoming increasingly impatient and I spent most of my time keeping an eye on him. I was sure that if I let him out of my sight even for a moment, he would immediately get into some trouble. After all, it wouldn't be the first time. I was finishing showering when Jungkook called.
• - Come to my room - he chuckled briefly and hung up before I had time to answer him.
• I changed quickly into new clothes and, not to prolong anything, headed for Jungkook's room. We were given rooms next to each other, but still I was the one who mostly had to go to his, not the other way around. Taehyung, Jimin and Hoseok had a little more freedom, as they were located in other hotels in different parts of the city. However, I guessed from the voices coming from my friend's room that they had also been dragged by him to his room. I knocked on the door and, without waiting for an answer, went inside. I nodded to everyone and walked to the window.
• - You didn't say anything about wanting to call a meeting - I leaned against the windowsill, putting my hands on my chest.
• - Because I didn't plan it - Jungkook replied quickly, swiping me with his eyes - Jimin has some news and I thought it would be better for all of us to hear it, so that you won't claim again that I forgot to tell you something.
• - What kind of news is it? - I asked, ignoring his taunt.
• - Something has started to happen in Seattle - Jimin put on a serious face - Until now, neither the Velazques nor the triads have taken any action, continuing in apparent peace and fortifying their neighborhoods. However, a few days ago, bloodshed came to one of Velazques' districts.
• - Did any of the Elders lose patience? Only that none of my contacts mentioned anything much of the sort - Taehyung furrowed his brow.
• - Hoseok? Do you know anything about it? - Jungkook turned to the hacker, who was sitting in an armchair with his eyes fixed on the tablet.
• - Wait a minute, I'm trying to find something on the web - he replied quietly - unfortunately, the police have perfectly secure servers and it will take me a while to connect to them.
• - Jimin, do you know anything more? Has the balance of power changed? - I glanced at him carefully.
• - Not likely, apparently neither side has gained an advantage. I only somewhat doubt that it was the Elders or their men. If they were planning something like this, they would have done it much earlier, and not waited so long. Velazques also didn't take any action, yet he could have benefited a lot from Wong's death.
• - Not really. News of his death reached Seattle along with a strong group of one of the Elders, so Velazques didn't have much of a chance. Especially since old Wei appeared in the city a few days later, followed by his son along with Wong's widow. Velazques would have to face not only those groups permanently operating in the city, but also the two Elders who protected not only the city, but also Wong's daughter-in-law - Taehyung noted.
• - Why do they care so much about this woman? - I heard Jungkook's quiet voice.
• - I have no idea - I replied quickly -This is the first time I've encountered something like this.
• - Nakamoto! - exclaimed Hoseok.
• - What are you talking about! - Jungkook jumped up, slightly surprised by his shout.
• - Velazques were attacked by Nakamoto. Listen: , "Three days ago, a shooting came in one of the neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. According to unofficial information, two gangs were involved. One of the parties was a group tied by police to one of the Mexican businessmen, Jorge Velazques. Unfortunately, we have no information on the other group's connections, but one of our sources says that a Japanese passport was found with one of the bodies. Police are refusing to give any information on the number or identity of the victims." There's only this much, but I'll still look through the various social media forums. And, of course, the police database, if I can finally connect to it.
• - So it was Nakamoto who got impatient - Jungkook burst out laughing - and I thought the Japanese were persistent and prepared everything thoroughly. And yet, it looks like I judged them too highly.
• - This is unlike them - I furrowed my eyebrows slightly - old Nakamoto has been at this too long to take such rash action. Maybe he didn't give the order, but one of his men decided to take a chance?
• - Never mind - he waved his hand - it's always a few less men for us. And if Nakamoto's men continue like this it's even a very good thing. They'll focus all of Velazques' attention on themselves, and then we'll be able to strike at him by surprise. Things are slowly starting to go our way.
• - Well, I don't know, we don't even have a place to settle down yet - I objected.
• - We already have, admittedly only temporary, but it's already something.
• - What do you mean?
• - Jasper decided to expand his business and also took up real estate brokerage and rental. This morning he let me know that he found a place for us. It's not much for now, but it's enough to start with.
• - In that case, when do you want to move?
• - Later this week. All five of us will leave for Seattle, and the others will stay here just in case. And get them to start inquiring about Miami, let the Chinese think we are looking for a place for ourselves, away from San Francisco and Seattle.
• - I doubt that the Chinese will be fooled that much - I shook my head in doubt.
• - I'm going to take a chance - Jungkook smiled slightly - and even if they don't believe it, too bad, but Velazques should get caught. Especially since I already know where we're going to hit so that it hurts him as much as possible.
• - So I take it you're going to implement that plan we talked about last time?
• - Of course I do - he nodded - if we occupy the most eastern district of the city, Velazques will be right between us and the triads. And then he will have to watch both sides. Since the Japanese decided to risk an attack, who knows if they won't do it again in the near future.
• - Boss, I have some idea on how to find out more about the triads, only it will be really risky - Hoseok spoke up.
• - Speak up.
• - If I impersonate one of the companies working with the transportation company that belongs to the Wongs, I could try to send them a certain offer. I would put one of my best viruses in the email and that way we could get access to their servers. I could also do the same with Velazques.
• - How high are your chances of the whole plot succeeding?
• - It depends on how good of a hacker they have. If the guy is at the same level as me, then - he hesitated slightly - ten maybe fifteen percent. If he's weaker, the chances go up to fifty percent, no more.
• - Take the risk, we have nothing to lose - Jungkook ordered - but change one thing. Contact Jasper and together create a sample proposal for his company. Since he wants to cooperate with us, let him also bear some risk. And creating such an offer will be easier than impersonating someone they already work with. If they already have things worked out, a new offer is more likely to surprise them and they may decide to contact an intermediary just to be sure.
• - I understand, in that case I will do as you say. And if you don't have any more tasks for me, I'll go back to my place and deal with it right away.
• - I don't get it done as soon as possible - he dismissed him with a wave of his hand - Jimin, Taehyung you too can go now.
• I waited until all three of them left the room and only then turned my attention back to Jungkook. My friend was sitting in an armchair with a wrinkled forehead and clenched jaw, indicating that he was angry again. I took the vacant seat across from him and only after a while spoke up.
• - Are you one hundred percent sure that we can trust Jasper? Last time he wasn't entirely loyal to us, and now we can't risk a slip-up.
• - I am sure, because I have something on him, and I doubt that Jasper will dare to betray us - he smiled coldly - Do you remember that painting that hangs in Oleg's dacha?
• - The one with the hunting scene? Or the act he so ostentatiously boasted to us recently?
• - The one with the hunt, for which he paid several million dollars, hoping that soon its value will increase.
• - Okay, I already know which one - I confirmed, looking at it carefully - what about it?
• - It's a perfectly forged scam. Jasper paid his French buddy to paint a copy, and this very copy hangs in Oleg's dacha.
• - Oh * - I cursed quietly - but what about the original?
• - The original is in a mansion on the East Coast at the home of a Chinese billionaire. Jasper confided in me after he got drunk during our last outing to the club. And you know that all it takes is the shadow of a suspicion that the picture is fake and Oleg will be furious - he burst out laughing loudly - so I don't have to tell you what will happen to Jasper when Oleg finds out that he threw millions down the drain.
• - He'll skin him alive for sure - I allowed myself a slight smile, imagining it - I'm surprised you haven't done it yourself yet. Jasper is quite a rat, and I'd really rather we quit working with him.
• - Seokjin, you can be sure that he will live up to our loyalty this time. And if not, I'll make sure he pays for his betrayal. Now we have more important things on our minds. We need to get to Seattle, attack Velazques, and above all, find out more about Wong's widow. And do everything to get rid of her, because if she's so important to them, I'm sure her death will cause quite a stir - he finished with a broad smile on his face.
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