CHAPTER 1: The brothers of Choi
1301 Words
KAI
Grandpa Choi told me something interesting once. He said hate was like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
That was the reason he gave for our execution style in the mob life. We (Choi’s) do not do revenge or let emotions control us.
We do not drink poison.
I was 4 years old when I joined. We had just buried my mother and that night I earned my seat on the table of the sons, I was lucky number 7.
I am wrath.
The other six—sons of Choi—did not understand why I chose that specific night to lose my cool. Why after 4 days of my mother’s death, did seeing her ashes break me and honestly unravel me.
They still don’t but I can assure you, it was not because of hate. It was not even close. It was because I finally saw the truth which was way worse.
Hate.
I have never seen it so potent in someone’s eyes. I have never been so close to it before because Grandpa rules with an iron fist and no one dared to go against his word.
But I see hate now and it is not in my eyes but hers.
Odessa Dominaka, the Russian mob’s princess.
The hypnotizing blue of her eyes is dancing with one tone, one emotion, one reason to ignite fire in every breath she takes. One thing is clear as she looks at me and only me.
Hate.
Its tangible, raw, real and it might as well have legs. She is spilling with it and aiming all of it at me as six of my brothers stand around her. As all six watch with different expressions on their faces.
“Uh?” Kudo, the eldest, tilts his head.
He is pride because he is the first son and the last child grandpa had with his sickly first wife Zahra. He is basically Joseph from the bible because he is the only planned child in our family.
He was not born just for purpose and he is not the spare or extra. He is the Choi family’s literal pride and joy but he is also a smug bastard because of it.
“No, just give them a second. I want to see how long this will last.” Kairo the youngest of the twins interposes.
He is gluttony because combined with Kaizer, his twin, they are the worst versions of each other. Which is why his twin is regarded as greed and combined they are every enemy’s worst nightmare.
Forget enemy, they are true walking nightmares.
The twins came only 6months after Kudo and because they are the first sons of the 2nd wife who is still alive. Kaizer believes himself to be the rightful heir and Kairo just doesn’t know any better than to go against his brother.
Their mother Miyo, is the true devil whispering in their ears and the gas to the growing feud between them and Kudo.
How do I know? Believe it or not, she raised us all—or at least tried to.
“We are talking about someone who has not moved an inch for 3hours right?” Kade, the smartest of us points out in Japanese.
Kade is envy and the biggest mind torturer in the world. He is a brainiac who knows where to poke mentally just to break you and to this day, no one knows how he does it but I sense it is all the reading he does.
I look to Katana but as usual, he remains silent.
This is not surprising since he had the hardest time accepting his role in the family so he uses every drug under the surface of the earth to forget his dripping ledger.
He probably does not even know what is happening hence being sloth and why Kiyoko, his keeper, is lust.
Kiyoko might be the last of Miyo’s children but his hunger for blood surpasses all of us combined.
Oh, who am I kidding? Kiyoko Choi is bat-s**t crazy.
In the crime world, we go by many names.
The 7 sons of Choi.
The seven deadly sins
You name anything with 7pieces and we are it but we are the reason the Choi Dynasty has the deadliest armies in the world.
Yes, armie(s).
Each son represents an Asian colony my grandfather took over and each of us have a purpose for one.
I am the only grandchild on the main table because grandpa’s first child with Zahra was a woman and the crime world is a very male oriented industry but after her passing, grandpa adopted me and gave me the 7th seat.
Miyo did not like it but like I said, grandpa ruled with an iron fist and she had one job, baby factory. I’m not kidding, that is her codename.
Five sons later, Miyo is now rendered invisible to her own husband but that is how things are in our family.
But do not feel bad for her.
Miyo is f*****g horrible to the bone, I know because again, she TRIED to raise us but even as kids we knew the devil had a mortal sister in her.
“I say we kill her,” that is Kiyoko’s solution to everything.
“And risk a war with the Russians? You are not funny,” Kudo cuts him a strict look. “We got firm instructions and we are sticking to the plan.”
Oh yes, the plan.
Who can forget such a bad plan?
“I have to say, I finally get why she is called Frostbite.” Kairo smirks to himself no doubt amused by her beauty.
I agree, for someone that has been treated like luggage for the past 48hours, Odessa looks surprisingly good.
The dark curls of her hair are still intact in a bun that shows the sharp features of her symmetrical porcelain doll-like face. The only color on her pale skin is her miracle blue eyes and strawberry lips that have been puckered since she woke up.
Even angry, she is still a sight for sore eyes.
“Trust me, you have no clue why she is called Frostbite.” Ivan finally appears. “I’d move back boys, she might be rusty but she is also cunning and fast,” he warns comically but I listen.
Ivan Dominaka was the reason for all this. I may have volunteered because my brothers were not necessarily gentle but he was the one that deserved the look of hate not me.
“Thanks for helping Big K.” Ivan addresses Kudo as they shake hands and nod to each other.
“Of course,” they turn their backs to whisper as the next future leaders of their families.
I try moving around but still Odessa’s eyes stay on me. I do not even think she has realized her cousin is in the room. I also do not think she has heard any word that has been said to her for the past 3hours.
This is why we need to keep Odessa far and immobile.
Call me a ‘chicken’ but there is a reason the Russians head the crime table. A reason why all their descendants rank so high in the industry despite the twins being inactive. There is a reason all their kids survived every kidnapping and attempts on their lives.
Brains, wit, combat, you name it and the Russian mob descendants have it but ten folds. I know she is tied up but there is a reason there is a saying:
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Odessa Dominaka looks like a woman disparaged.
- Writer
