Lib Novel Page 81
I felt a chill at the mention of secrets, but masked it with a practiced ease. The Sisterhood of Vipers—a network within shadows, where the women of the Triad wielded their own form of power. I’d never even heard of them–of us, I guessed–so that meant they were beyond even the FBI’s reach. To be part of it meant access, influence, and perhaps the key to bringing this empire of crime to its knees.
“Strength and secrets,” I echoed, meeting her gaze for a moment longer before turning away to continue serving. As I did, I could feel the weight of the task ahead, the danger lurking beneath every polite smile and behind every toast raised.
Tonight, I was playing a role, but tomorrow, the real performance would begin.
I moved through the throng, a quiet observer among the opulence and veiled threats. The murmur of Mandarin filled the air around me, the soft cadence of women’s voices humming quietly over the business talk of the men. I caught snippets of gossip about mahjong gatherings and upcoming weddings, which surprised me. I thought there would be more criminal underpinnings to their dialogue–but there weren’t. This was just gossip.
Their laughter, tinged with camaraderie, surprised me. Here, in the heart of a Triad den, life went on, woven with threads of normalcy and tradition. They talked of bonds and simple joys, while outside these walls, their loved ones commanded fear and respect through less savory means.
I played dumb as I eavesdropped on their conversations, watching the expressions on their faces. Faces of mothers, daughters, sisters—each carrying their own burdens silently, their stoicism a testament to the lives they led beside dangerous men.
After the last man had been served, the women finally approached the banquet table, delicately filling their plates with succulent dumplings, crispy Peking duck, and aromatic jasmine rice. It was only then that I allowed myself to join Nathan at the table.
Nathan sat there like a dark prince among thieves, his presence undeniable. With his left hand, he absentmindedly traced the outline of the dragon tattoo hidden beneath the fabric of his shirt, a symbol of his power and heritage. His brown eyes met mine, a silent conversation passing between us—a mix of concern and an unspoken promise to protect.
“Sit,” he said simply, and I took the seat beside him.
My gaze wandered once more, seeking out familiar faces. There were few, but one stood out–Knuckles leaned against the door frame, his eyes scanning the room with calculated precision. His face was impassive, but I knew underneath lay ambition and a history entangled with betrayal. I still suspected he had something to do with the fires, but now wasn’t the time for accusations.
I could feel the tension in the air, thick as the incense that curled from the burners set at each corner of the room. This was a gathering of serpents, each one smiling while hiding their fangs. And tonight, I was one of them, playing a dangerous game of my own within the serpent’s lair.
The lavish spread of food before us seemed incongruent with the undercurrents of danger that flowed through the room. Nathan’s hand found mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I turned to him, meeting his gaze. His voice was a low whisper, just for me.
“You did well,” he said, his eyes softening for a moment in the dim light. The corner of my mouth lifted in a small, appreciative smile, and he mirrored it with one of his own.
We turned our attention back to the feast laid out on the long table. The clinking of fine china and the murmur of conversation became the soundtrack as we began to eat. I took small bites, my mind still racing, even as I savored the delicious flavors dancing on my tongue. These women may have been criminal accomplices…but damn, could they cook.
Around me, discussion ebbed and flowed. Bits and pieces of business talk floated to my ears, but they were quickly overshadowed by more personal exchanges—stories of children growing too fast, of wives demanding more time away from the life. Laughter punctuated the tales of familial antics, and I realized these hardened criminals were also fathers, uncles, brothers.
Listening intently, I gathered fragments of lives lived in the shadows, an intricate web of connections and loyalties. The realization hit me like a brick; these serpents hailed from all over—Los Angeles, Sacramento, some even from as far north as Seattle. It made sense. Power in the criminal world wasn’t just local; it was a sprawling network, reaching into every dark corner of the West Coast. We had thought the Serpents were isolated to San Francisco, but they’d spread out up and down the Pacific.
This wasn’t a snake…it was a hydra. And even if we cut off the head, a new one would grow in its place.
I pushed the food around on my plate, my appetite waning despite the delicious fare. My thoughts were a whirlwind, each one a piece of the puzzle I was here to solve. As an agent, I had to remain vigilant, to watch and listen, always ready to strike when the opportunity presented itself. But tonight, all I could do was play the part of the newest member of their ranks and hope that I would live to see another day.
The clinking of glass against metal pierced through the cacophony of voices, calling for attention. I sought out the source and found Kenny standing, his wine glass held aloft with a practiced ease that spoke of his authority. Silence spread like a contagion; conversations dwindled as every pair of eyes in the room turned towards him.
“Times have been tough,” he began in English, his voice resonating with a gravitas that commanded the room. “But we’re still here, stronger than ever. And tonight,” his gaze swept across the faces before settling on me, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, “we celebrate not just survival, but growth.”
I tensed under his scrutiny, feeling the weight of his stare like a physical touch. I could sense the expectation hanging thick in the air, the unspoken demand for my gratitude, my loyalty—my soul, if it came to that.
“Let’s raise our glasses to these two remarkable women who’ve joined our ranks. My daughter and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law,” Kenny continued, his expression one of genuine pleasure that mingled jarringly with the darkness I knew lurked beneath. “A new chapter begins, a sign of the prosperity that awaits us.”
His smile widened, reaching his eyes in what seemed like a rare moment of openness. But when his gaze locked onto mine, my skin crawled as if a thousand ants marched over my flesh. I could almost feel his thoughts wrapping around me, probing for weakness, for any hint of the betrayal I harbored within my chest.
“Here’s to Abby and Lily,” Kenny proclaimed, his voice lifting in a toast. “To the bright future ahead!”
A chorus of approval rose from the gathered crowd, glasses clinking in unison. I lifted my own in a gesture of feigned solidarity, my hand steady despite the turmoil raging inside.
But as I sipped the wine, the rich liquid leaving a bitter trail down my throat, I couldn’t help but wonder how long I’d be able to keep up this charade before the curtain fell and my real act began.
“However,” Kenny’s voice cut through the merriment, sharp as a blade against silk, “before we indulge in visions of grandeur, there’s an unpleasant task at hand.” The jovial atmosphere crumbled like dry earth. “We must purge the parasites from our midst.”
Cold dread snaked up my spine, and I stiffened. Nathan’s grip on my thigh turned ironclad, his brown eyes smoldering embers ready to ignite. He was dangerous, lethal even–but we were outnumbered here.
If anything happened, we were both dead.
I chanced a glance around the dimly lit cavern of the Serpent’s Den, its walls whispering secrets of the countless dealings they had witnessed. The air felt thick, charged with an ominous energy that clung to my skin, heavy as wet wool. Every nerve in my body screamed caution, but it was too late to retreat.