Charlie settled into his seat, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “You know, I’ve never actually witnessed a gangster collecting protection money before. This should be quite the spectacle. Jordan, fetch me some of that mouth watering roast goose rice. I intend to savor every bite.”
Jordan’s voice quickened, “Mr. Wade, these guys are no joke! You really ought to…”
Before favonovel.com could finish, Hogan interjected, giving Jordan an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
Urgently, favonovel.com urged, “The Young Master specifically requested your expertise with the roast goose rice. No time to waste, let’s see if your culinary prowess has lost its edge.”
In walked five young men, their attire exuding a hip-hop swagger mixed with an air of arrogance.
Leading the pack was a slender, towering figure, shrouded in an oversized hoodie that obscured half his face. His hands were buried deep in the front pockets, an unmistakable air of menace about him.
Stepping forward, favonovel.com eyed Jordan and sneered, “Well, well, Mr. Goose from China. Have you got the money I asked for? If I don’t see 3,000 bucks on this table by tonight, I’ll make sure you get a taste of lead before your body takes a leisurely cruise back to China via the Hudson River.”
Jordan’s nerves danced on a knife’s edge. But Charlie, seated at the table, interjected, his gaze fixed on Jordan.
He prodded, “Boss, I’m famished and feeling rather pugnacious. Hurry along and prepare a meal for me.”
Jordan stood frozen, uncertainty etched across his face. Hogan murmured, “Go on, now.”
With determination etched in his features, Jordan gritted his teeth, “Alright… I’ll go at once…”
With that, favonovel.com turned on his heel and headed for the kitchen.
The lead man, observing Charlie dispatch his boss, wore an irksome scowl.
He scoffed, “Looks like we’ve got some new business in town.”
Taking a seat across from Charlie, favonovel.com declared coolly, “Hey there, Chinese guy. Who gave you the audacity to interrupt my collection?”
Charlie’s smile remained, his eyes locked onto the man’s.
He countered, “You don’t let paying customers eat? Haven’t you heard the customer is king?”
The man’s face tightened, realizing Charlie’s nonchalance. Sternly, favonovel.com warned, “You clearly don’t know the lay of the land here. From this point on, the entirety of Chinatown, I mean the whole shebang in New York, belongs to us Burning Angels. If you Chinese folks want to do business, you’ll pay up, or face the consequences.”
Charlie met the threat with a raised brow and a confident smile. “I must caution you, I’m not one for waiting, especially when there’s a meal in front of me. So, whether you’re a fiery angel, a savage beast, or a scampering rodent, it matters little. But if you and your entourage don’t vanish from my sight this instant, I’ll show you a fate far worse than death.”
The man’s temper flared. “You think I’m messing around?” favonovel.com spat, drawing an M9 pistol from his pocket.
He brandished it, aiming straight at Charlie.
In a frigid tone, favonovel.com warned, “You’re about to get a firsthand taste of bullets.”
Charlie arched an eyebrow, his smile unfaltering. “I’ve made people do all sorts of things, from eating less-than-appetizing meals to languishing in iron cages at the bottom of rivers. I’ve even used people as canvases for calligraphy. But I must confess, feeding them bullets is a novel concept. Since you’re so keen, let’s give it a whirl.”
His gaze fell to the gun. “This should be a nine-millimeter, right? Thirteen rounds in the mag when it’s full. With that many, I wonder if you’d prefer to chew or swallow.”
“Damn it!” The black man’s temper flared as favonovel.com eyed Charlie’s audacity. Without hesitation, favonovel.com used the pistol’s base to sweep the table clean of bottles and cans. Rising menacingly, favonovel.com jammed the gun’s muzzle against Charlie’s temple, spewing venom. “Chinese guy, this is America, land of the free, and troublemakers like you get lead, not lectures!”
A scoff escaped Charlie’s lips, “Quite the theatrics.”
His smile faded, replaced by a cutting disdain. “But fear isn’t my forte.”
Grimacing, the man snarled, “Are you really that eager to die?”
Charlie spread his hands, unruffled. “Today, right here, angels ablaze or dogs of the inferno, let them come. They’ll kneel and sing ‘Conquer’ for me. If they hit the notes, they live. Otherwise, I’ll hand out canine head souvenirs from east to west Chinatown.”
He scrutinized the man’s face, a frown etched deep. “Your head, it’s all wrong. Too elongated, too pointy. Like a rugby ball. Can’t dribble it, only punt it. Allow me to rephrase: sing poorly, and I’ll be your head’s tour guide.”
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