Page 6 of Punished
Wang's eyes widened then. “You wouldn't dare—”
“Wouldn't I?” Da Han snapped. “If I get so much as a whisper of him attempting to take what belongs to me, I will send him and his mother to the very same hell I'm sending you. Mark my words.”
“Don't you touch him!” Wang yelled.
Da Han laughed and then looked at Chen. “Does Hàorán know that I've captured his favorite uncle?”
“Not yet, sir,” Chen said.He'd been watching the entire exchange and knew the intricate feuds that were going on within the family. Hostilities between blood relatives, but that was always the case. This was the first time in over thirty years that one member attacked another. He was aware Da Han was one to strike first if he knew a threat was brewing. It didn't matter if they were family or not. And after this incident with his uncle, his cousin's life may very well be ending soon.
Da Han turned back to Wang. “I want eyes on him and if you find anything suspicious, bring him to me.”
“Yes, sir,” Chen said. He pulled his cell phone out to contact their people in China to give them the boss' orders.
“There is no love lost between us, Uncle,” Da Han said, then he walked over to his wife and kissed her. They kissed for a while and when he finally broke it off, he turned to his son. “Yìchén, torture him.” He sat down in one of the chairs and his wife sat on his lap, straddling it, both facing their target and his son.
Yìchén's mouth parted as if he wanted to say something, maybe even to protest, but then he closed it. He turned to Chen and the expression on his face let Chen know the boy was terrified. He didn't know what to do.
“What are you waiting for?” Da Han asked.
Wang laughed. “Your son is weak. Just look at him, he's about to piss his pants or puke. This is what you produce, Da Han, failures. That is what your lineage is.”
Da Han laughed as he held onto his wife. He rested his chin on her shoulder and smiled. “Insults are all you have left, Uncle. And they are empty as your honor.”
Chen walked over to Yìchén, because the boy did look as if he was either going to puke or piss himself. He cut a glance to Da Han and wondered if this was the right time to see if his boss was going to allow him to train his son as he saw fit. He decided to test the waters when he grabbed Yìchénby his shoulders and spun him around to face his uncle.
“This man tried to kill your father. He would have killed you and everyone you love. He killed your beloved grandfather. Are you really proving to everyone here that you don't have the balls to take your revenge?” Chen asked him.
Yìchén swallowed hard, his hands shaking with a mixture of nerves and terror. “Wh-why do I have to do it now?”
Wang spit at his foot, then sneered. “You punk.”
Chen leaned in close to Yìchén's ear. “Either you begin punching him, or I'll punch you.”
Yìchén turned sharply toward Chen, eyes wide and mouth open. “You wouldn't!”
Chen arched an eyebrow. “Oh, I would and your father will watch me do so. I'll make a man out of you, boy. Do not challenge me.”
Yìchén's chin lifted ever so slightly.
The challenge.
He was daring Chen to back his words with actions, because he truly believed his father wouldn't allow it.
“Will it be him or you?” Chen asked.
“You won't do it,” Yìchén taunted, then smirked.
Chen took a step back, and then the smack of his backhand across Yìchén's face echoed throughout the room.
“Oh!” Yìchén cried out as he staggered back, his cheek blazing from the blow. He touched it and felt the heat of his flesh against his palm. He looked up at Chen. “How dare you—”
“Will the next blow be for him or you?” Chen asked again, cutting Yìchén's rant off.
Yìchén glared at Chen, then turned to his father, who was watching with an interestedexpression. Yìchén wondered if his father would allow Chen to beat him if he didn't torture his uncle. Even if he wouldn't, did he want more of what he'd just experienced? The pain and humiliation were torture in itself.
Chen watched the young man before him weigh his options. He'd tested the waters himself with that backhand slap. He wanted to see if Da Han would say anything. He also wondered if Da Han would have objections to his actions once the two were in private. He supposed he'd find out. But for the time being, he had to whip Yìchén into shape. His father wanted Wang tortured and by Yìchén's hands.
Chen pulled out a pair of brass knuckles from his pocket and held them up for Yìchén to see. “Will these go on my hand or yours?”
