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“I’m fine. Those women will be in a lot of pain.”

I heard Violet say something in the background.

“Gotta go,” said Kaylee. “Chat later. Love you!”

I stared at my friends’ messages. I needed to get home, shower, and gather myself before I could reply to them.

CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE

ARROW

After a meetingwith my team at the winery and reviewing the shipment that would be sent to Monaco for the wine competition, I hopped onto a flight to Hong Kong to meet with Calvin.

I had requested to meet him, and he’d agreed. I didn’t have time to wait for him to return to Providence. A major storm was brewing, and I needed information regarding Ghost.

Yesterday, I had briefed my boys about Ghost. I wasn’t sure if The Triad was behind Ghost’s wine thievery. The Taipans had their own wine label, but that didn’t mean they would try to sabotage my business. The business world could be ruthless, forcing one business to commit crimes against its competitor. And crimes were something The Triad was used to.

I walked into a small restaurant near my hotel. Through the crowd, Calvin spotted me and waved me over. All the tables were taken, making the restaurant lively. The restaurant was probably owned by The Triad, with an illegal gambling den in the basement or somewhere close by.

“I ordered some food for you.” Calvin gestured to the seat across from him. He wore a sleek black suit, looking like a businessman ready to close a multimillion-dollar deal.

I pulled out a chair, folding myself into it. The ten dishes of food on the table looked fantastic. “Wow. Thanks. Everything smells fantastic.”

“That’s because it is. Authentic Chinese food is different from the kind you eat in Providence. Want a drink?”

A cup of jasmine tea and a glass of water were already set for me. “I’m good with these. Thanks for meeting me.”

“I didn’t do it for you.”

“Thanks for meeting me because of Vivian—my girlfriend.” I smiled.

He smirked. “Help yourself.”

After we ate, I placed my chopsticks down and said, “I don’t think Ghost is dead.”

His jaw tightened. “I know.”

“But you told Vivian otherwise.”

“That’s what I was told.” He pressed his lips into a tight line. “I thought he was dead too. I never saw the body though.”

“Who told you?”

“His dad, Rattlesnake.” He refilled his teacup and mine. “But he died two months ago.”

That couldn’t be a coincidence. Vivian’s grandfather had died months ago, and now another prominent official. I could only imagine the chaos within The Triad right now.

“How did Vivian’s grandfather die?” I asked, trying to connect all the dots.

Calvin looked at me. “It’s safer for you to stay out of our business. You stay on your turf, and I’ll stay on mine. This is the only way our relationship will work.”

“I’m trying to protect my girlfriend. Right now, she thinks her grandfather died of natural causes. She doesn’t need any more stress. If you discover something, give me the courtesy to let her know gently.”

Calvin studied me for a moment and nodded. “Someone had been skimming money from our businesses. One of our guys recognized the clown tattoo on his middle finger. But his face had changed.”

I showed him a picture of Ghost from my phone. “That’s what he looked like when he was working at my warehouse. He stole my wine shipment and sold it to the black market.”

Calvin scratched his chin as he stared at the image. “He wasn’t working on The Triad’s orders, if that’s what you’re thinking. We’re proud of our wine. We don’t need to steal from anyone.”