TWENTY EIGHT
T he rest of the week flew by, and Poison was physically and emotionally exhausted when she got home for the weekend. Every time her office door opened, she either expected Gavin to arrest her or Scorpion to kill her.
Neither happened, and she was grateful for that, but she knew both scenarios were inevitable, even after her talk with Gavin after the attack.
She had tried to answer as many of his questions as possible without incriminating herself too much. The rings were still illegal, and so was everything in the underground, but at least he had promised not to pursue
it as long as she was honest with him. After their talk, he had gone his way, and she hadn’t heard from him since, which she hoped to hell was a good thing.
Falling onto her bed, her face buried in the softness of her pillows, she tried to get her mind clear. She needed to put an end to this. As much as she hated what Scorpion had done, she knew she alone was to blame. And despite the fact that he was actively trying to kill her, she missed him. She missed his smile, his touch, his kiss, and even the way he called her by that ridiculous pet name, Little Viper . An absurd name that sent shivers down her spine every time he used it.
The buzzing of her phone in her hand pulled her back to reality, and she brought it to her ear, answering without looking at the caller identification.
“Speak,” she barked into the microphone.
“It’s Gunnar.” The voice cracked through the line, and Poison rolled onto her back, her pulse racing.
“Everything alright?” she asked, unsure what to think of Gunnar calling.
“That’s what I’m phoning to find out,” he answered.
“Who are you, and where is the cold-hearted reptile that doesn’t like me?” she asked, her head spinning with a million questions.
Why would he call to check up on her? What suddenly changed him to show any sign of emotion?
“I still don’t like you,” he snorted. “But like I explained, Scorpion does. So I just wanted to know if you needed any help with the aftermath?”
She contemplated his words for a moment before answering. “No, thank you. We got it under control.”
“Good.” That was his only response, and then radio silence.
“Gunnar?” she continued, careful not to let her voice give anything away.
“He’s alright, Poison. He’s at the ring blowing off steam.”
An idea propelled her straight off the bed and onto her feet.
“Get me in,” she demanded.
“In where?” he sounded confused.
“Into the ring,” she said. “I need to get inside.”
“They’ll kill you, woman.”
“Not if you take me in,” she countered. “I just need you to get me in the door. I’ll take care of the rest.”
There was a long pause before Gunnar sighed. “Fine. Meet me at the Lotus Lounge in twenty and stay outside.”
She hung up the phone and walked to her closet. Her plan set a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, dissolving any trace of exhaustion. Opening the back panel, she stared at her options and finally decided on a pair of black leggings with toxic green details, a matching tank, and her sneakers and leather jacket.
After braiding her hair in a crown around her head, she reached into the back compartment of her closet and retrieved her duffle bag and a silver suitcase. With a racing heart, she headed for the elevator, texting Skel on the way down.
She needed to see her crew before she did what she was about to do. If her plan didn’t work, she had to talk to them one last time.
A lump formed in her throat, and she tried to swallow it away. She couldn’t allow her emotions to take control. Not now. Not when she needed a clear mind for what was to come.
Strapping her bag and suitcase to the back of her bike, she sped out into the darkening streets. She allowed the wind to blow away all traces of thought as she concentrated on her breathing and nothing else.
A few minutes later, she walked into Skel’s gym, grateful that it was empty so that she could have a moment to collect her thoughts.
Skeldon and Cat were the first to enter. The twins, Aubrey and Lloyd, two blond brothers built like giant logs, followed them through the door. Known as the crew’s clowns, they were always ready with a joke to lift spirits or stir up mischief.
Behind them came the only other women in her crew: Miah, Alianala, and Evie - three formidable fighters
in their own right. Miah’s dark complexion and piercing black eyes instilled fear in anyone who crossed her path. She could stare any man into whimpering tears. She came here from Africa after her village was burnt to the ground and seemed to take revenge on anyone who wanted to challenge her.
Alianala’s soft appearance and perky personality belied her deadly combat skills. She struck like a cobra and took hits with a smile.
But it was Evie who commanded Poison’s respect and fear the most. They had met during a training camp in Moldova, and she had witnessed Evie dismantle opponents effortlessly, her flaming hair framing her like a forest goddess.
The rest of her crew filed in behind them, each with their own unique background and story of how they came to be part of her family: Axe, Bruno, Hitler, Damian, Carlisle, No?l, Ace, Kurt, Falcon, West, and Quinton.
Stepping forward from the group, Skel turned to her.
“Everyone is accounted for,” he announced, scanning the room. “Is there news on Reaper or the Dune Demons?”
Poison shook her head. “Evening, all,” she greeted them, refusing to allow them to see their leader sweating. “Thank you for coming here on such short notice.”
“What’s going on, mi hermana?” Cat asked, stepping to Skeldon’s side.
Poison took a moment to look at each member of her family and tried to carve them into her memory. If tonight didn’t go as planned, she’d die blessed that she had known the true meaning of family.
Her gaze shifted to Skel, who stood tall and ready like a general awaiting his commander’s orders. The voices threatened at the edges of her mind, and she smothered them.
“I know everyone has a lot of questions, and I promise they will all be answered in time. But I needed everyone here so that I could thank you. Thank you for standing by my side even if I didn’t deserve your loyalty. Thank you for following my, well, odd leadership methods. I know it wasn’t always easy keeping our anonymity over the years, but in a city ruled by the Italians, Old Americans, and Japanese, we stood our own. And that is all thanks to each and every one of you.”
“P,” Skel murmured, his face fear-stricken. “Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?”
“Let me finish,” she said, and she couldn’t meet his eyes; she didn’t have the guts to do it. “The chain of command has always been through you, Skel,” His back stiffened. “You took care of so much that I didn’t have to, and because of that, I know the crew will be in safe hands under your leadership.”
A collective gasp echoed through her crew and she took a deep breath to steady herself.
Skel opened his mouth to protest, but she stopped
him with a raised hand. “If anything happens to me, Skeldon, I need to know that you will continue to lead the Silver Serpents.”
“It would be my honor, boss lady,” he answered, raising a hand to his heart and bowing his head. “But why are you saying goodbye?”
He glanced at her through his dark lashes, and her heart ached as if crushed by an iron fist. She forced herself to meet his eyes and gave him a sad smile.
“There is a line drawn for all of us,” she said with as much conviction as possible. They couldn’t know what she was planning to do. “I just need to know that my family will be able to go on when it is time for me to meet that line.”
“Mi hermana,” Cat said, stepping forward. Tears pooled in her eyes and Poison hated herself for putting them there. “What’s going on? Who’s after you?”
Poison shook her head, giving her sister a pained smile, and she took a big breath before taking a last look at each of them.
“Take care of each other,” she said to them, and before anyone could have a chance to think over her words, she turned on her heel and left the gym.
With every step, she fought the urge to look back at them. She knew that if she did, her courage would falter, and she wouldn’t be able to continue with her plan.
Only once she was on her bike, the engine rumbling beneath her, blinking back tears, did she breathe. The door opened behind her, and she heard Cat call her name, but she pulled the throttle and drove into the night.
She made it to the Lotus Lounge, but Gunnar’s towering figure was nowhere to be seen in the darkened street. She didn’t dare to cut the engine. After her last visit to Japanese territory, she didn’t know how her presence would be greeted.
She watched the minutes tick by as more and more people coming in and out of the Lounge noticed her. A few stopped and whispered while staring at her, others merely glanced and walked by. Just as her nerves were about to make her leave, two motorcycles came rumbling down the street. At the sight of the twin chrome bikes, Poison let out a breath.
Gunnar and Dennis stopped next to her and simultaneously lifted their visors.
“Hi, Poison,” Dennis greeted, giving her a sympathetic smile.
“Follow us,” Gunnar ordered, not bothering to greet her.
The caring version of him was seemingly gone, and the urge to punch him again returned. A fight for another day , she said to herself and nodded at him just before they set off again.
Gunnar and Dennis led her two blocks away to a building that stood with an aura of ancient reverence, its peaked roofs reaching toward the heavens like outstretched hands. Ornate carvings adorned its wooden facade, depicting intricate scenes of battle and serenity alike. As they approached, the scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the faint sound of chanting that seemed to resonate from within. It was a sanctuary of sorts, a place where secrets were whispered in the shadows and alliances were forged amidst the flickering candlelight.
They stopped in front of the building, and she tilted her head back to admire its stunning architecture, rich Japanese heritage evident in every detail.
“Welcome to the Temple,” Gunnar said as they got off their bikes.
Poison unfastened her bags and shouldered her duffle. Walking to the doors, she didn’t bother to wait for the guys to follow. Two bouncers blocked her way inside, and she was about to open her mouth when Gunnar said to them: “She’s with us.”
“Yes, lieutenant,” they answered in unison and stepped out of their way.
As the doors swung open, she was met by a wave of sensory overload. The dimly lit interior of The Temple enveloped her, the air thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and the faint aroma of sake. The sound of clashing fists and grunts of exertion echoed off the walls, blending with the low hum of conversation and the occasional roar of the crowd. Neon lights in red, yellow, and orange hues flickered overhead, casting shifting shadows that danced across the faces of the fighters and spectators alike.
“So what’s your plan?” Gunnar asked.
“I’m going to see the ring leader,” she stated flatly.
Gunnar grabbed her arm and spun her to look at him.
“Have you completely lost your shit?” he yelled, his eyes wild. “She will kill you on sight.”
“Luckily, I brought insurance,” she countered, lifting the briefcase in her other hand and pulling free of him.
“Your fucking funeral, woman.”
She didn’t allow herself to think. She had spotted the guarded door to the right the moment she had entered the Temple, the floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the ring. With determination, she stalked to the guard, vaguely aware of Gunner on her heels, and before he could raise his hand to stop her, her briefcase met with his face, and she plucked open the steel door before he hit the floor. She took the narrow stairs leading upward, two at a time, and burst through the top door.
The sound of several firearms being cocked echoed through the room.