16. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter sixteen
T he ocean breeze caresses my skin as I stand at the water's edge, the rhythmic crashing of the waves calling to me. This is my sanctuary, where I find solace from the violent storms that rage within the city streets.
As I stare out at the swirling blue, I'm reminded of my purpose. As co-leader of the Snakes, it's my duty to ride these waves in search of secrets that will keep us steps ahead of our enemies.
With each crest I conquer, I gather whispers and clues to maintain our power. It's a dangerous dance that I've mastered over bloodied years. Only now, more recently, have I had the chance to operate the surfing school on my own terms. The profitability has changed, as has being my own boss, but the rest is the same.
"Hey man, ready for my lesson?"
I turn to see my latest student sauntering towards me, his chest puffed out in a transparent display of bravado. His voice booms over the ocean's roar.
He’s one of those guys where everything about him is flashy. The type who always likes to pull out a hundred dollar bill or a black Amex while making sure everyone else in the room sees. Whose clothes are always brand name but you know he didn’t just pick them out by himself. Like now, for instance… his Tommy Hilfiger boardshorts with floral print scream tourist who was accosted by a pushy salesperson.
He’s the grown equivalent of a twelve-year-old motoring past you on a segway with a smirk, or maybe one of those electric skateboards. He’s the guy who wears the superbowl replica ring without having ever played football.
You know, you just want to kick them on sight.
The kid that shows up to sports practice in the top-of-the-line equipment when everyone else is wearing hand-me-downs and loaner gear, and he makes sure they know it. But this man has to be in his 50s, so he’s a walking compensation for a very small penis. I have no doubt he drives a convertible and is onto trophy wife number three or thereabouts.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by a cover, but in this case, you one hundred percent can.
Still, he’s a client, and I have a lesson to teach. I’ll be professional as possible, and keep my judgements and eye rolls on the inside. And who knows, while I teach him a few basics I might just learn a thing or two myself.
"I gotta say, when I heard the best instructor in town could teach me to surf, I jumped at the chance." He steps closer. "Maybe afterwards you and I could grab some drinks, get to know each other. Introduce you to some of my friends who are in town. They’re all business owners, you know…they’d love to meet a real-life surfer. Someone who sacrificed the ability to make real money for their love of the ocean. They’ll find you fascinating…"
I force a tight smile, biting back a scathing retort. As much as he repulses me, I need to keep up this act, stay focused on digging for any useful details behind his arrogant fa?ade.
We paddle out past the break and I feel him watching me, his eyes tracing my body, not as if he’s checking me out, but as if by taking one of my surfing lessons he'll also get a pack of killer abs like mine. I fight the urge to plunge his leering face into the churning water. I work hard for these muscles.
"You know, a guy like you is real quality," he booms. "You should be spending time with people who raise you up, not these street thugs I’ve seen around here." He shouts above the wind, drawing looks from some of the said ‘street thugs’ surfing nearby. "I've got connections, access to deals that'll shake up this whole damn place."
I catch the swell of an approaching wave, using the momentum to steer closer while feigning impressed interest. "Oh really, what kind of deals?"
As he brags about shadowy criminal alliances, I pick out shards of information from his bragging, clues that may prove invaluable. By the lesson's end, I've gathered whispers that could shift the tide of power in our favor, or at least start to. He is here to do business, after all, and given the island chain’s small size, it’s almost inevitable any big deal involves Tane.
With each wave, I gather scraps of knowledge—names, places, plans. Pieces of a puzzle I can now assemble. The picture comes into focus—the shadowy deal, its architects, its intentions laid bare.
By enduring this man's inane waffling for fifty minutes or so, I've uncovered a vein of precious ore—one we can now exploit to shift the balance of power in this city. Our team will strike with precision, guided by the map I've sketched from this chance surfing encounter.
The man blathers on, oblivious to the damage he's wrought. And I nod along, already tasting the victory to come. Every nod seems to fill him with the urge to tell me more. When I make my eyes grow large in pretend awe of this ‘amazing guy’, that’s when he seems to share the most.
The ocean's bounty once again fills my sails, just like it always does, carrying me to the shores of a new future. One where the Snakes rise ascendant, enemies scattered like sand.
As we paddle back toward shore, I feel the thrill of a hunt well-executed. The arrogant man provided more insight than he realized, his loose lips sinking his masters' ships. I steered our talk with subtle skill, mining nuggets of intel from his bloated ego.
This day marks a turning point, the waves of fate crashing down around us. I can't wait to bring this hard-won knowledge back to the others, to set our plans in motion. The man's arrogance will be his downfall—and our salvation.
I leave him on the beach with a false promise to meet again for drinks with him and his impressive buddies. I’m sure he wants to show me off as some kind of tanned, muscly trophy—his top-of-the-line surf instructor honing him to become the next Kelly Slater or whatever surfer he grew up admiring. Actually, he probably never even grew up watching surfing—he’s the type that probably flicked through a glossy magazine in his first class cabin on the way here and decided a surfing lesson would make for a good story to impress people. Whatever floats your boat, man.
As I look back at the ocean's endless dance, I'm renewed with purpose. Despite me having to grin and bear these types of infuriating lessons, they do pay pretty well, not just financially but in terms of the information I’m able to gather. The secrets the ocean yields today could be the key to victory, if I'm willing to ride the waves.
Back at Snakes headquarters, I'm greeted by the usual chaos—Rake cracking jokes to lighten the mood, Dom threatening to beat people with his trademark scowl, and Devon muttering snarky comments as she helps Zeke with something on his laptop.
I quickly shower and change, then return to the living room. “Hey, it’s time to go. We need to be there on time, there’s a lot to discuss.”
As we make our way to the Brixton's compound, I briefly give them the lowdown on what I was able to learn during today’s lesson. Rake gives a low whistle as he takes it all in.
I can't wait to tell Aidan and the rest of the Brixtons.
Because this information is life-changing.