Page 58 of Serpent King's Prisoner

Not if I wanted to survive.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Nathan

Iwas going to get him back.

The roar of my car’s engine was like a fierce dragon waking from its slumber, echoing through the streets as I barreled toward Venom Custom Motors, my brother’s favorite haunt.

Alex had crossed a line—ratting me out to Ba—and I wasn’t about to let that slide.

My mind should have been on the impending confrontation, but Abby...hell, Abby wouldn’t leave my thoughts. The way she arched under me at the club, that mix of pleasure and power. Then two nights ago, when I’d taken what I wanted; it was wrong, but it ignited something dark within me.

But last night, with her looking up at me, green eyes full of fire, giving herself willingly—the memory sent a jolt straight to my cock, remembering how she’d sucked me off, how she’d come as she clenched around me.

I’d never been one for relationships–fleeting connections with power-hungry girls or one-night stands were more my style. But with Abby, it was different. The quiet moments we shared had an air of something like normalcy, something I’d always longed for but never allowed myself to fully grasp.

As Venom loomed ahead, a sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I couldn’t shake the ticking time bomb feeling that came with every thought of her now. The domesticity we played at was under threat, and it was because of my own blood.

Because of my recklessness, because of my family.

But most of all because of my piece-of-shit brother.

I parked with a screech, the sound ripping through the air and alerting anyone inside to my less than pleasant arrival. My heart hammered against my ribcage, not solely from the adrenaline of confrontation, but from the decision weighing on me.

Abby…I wanted to keep her, damn it, even if it was selfish. She wasn’t just another body to warm my bed; she made me feel like there might be more to this life than bloodshed and power plays. But if Alex’s games meant she was a liability...

I clenched my fists as I stepped out of the car, the leather of the steering wheel still warm from my grip. If keeping myself and my family safe meant eliminating her, could I do it? The thought filled me with a cold dread, yet I knew in this world, sometimes you had to sever your hand to save the arm.

I pushed the door open, the sound of metal clanking and engines revving greeting me like an old friend. Except today, there were no friendly faces. Alex was lounging in a grease-stained chair, talking with his constant companion Javi Alvarez, while the third point of their friendship was under a car, long legs sticking out. Alex’s gaze locked on mine, and I saw that familiar flicker of apprehension cross his features.

“Hey Fangs,” Javi began.

But that was as far as he got.

I stormed over, my steps deliberate, my purpose clear. All the pent-up frustration, all the fear for Abby’s safety—it exploded out of me. Before anyone could react, my hand shot out, fingers wrapping around Alex’s throat. I slammed him against the wall, the echo of the impact bouncing off the concrete floors.

“Hey!” Javi exclaimed, shock painted across his face. But this wasn’t his fight, and both Neon and Javi knew better than to get involved when blood was at odds.

“Sorry, Javi,” I said through gritted teeth, not taking my eyes off Alex. “Family business.”

Alex’s heels scraped against the ground, trying to find purchase. He was tall, but in my grip, he might as well have been a rag doll. His hands clawed at mine, but my hold only tightened.

“Can’t...breathe,” he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Good,” I snarled, leaning in close enough for him to feel the heat of my anger. “Maybe you’ll think twice about crossing me next time.”

The shop had fallen silent except for the distant hum of a car engine somewhere in the back. Neon’s legs, sticking out from beneath a cherry red Mustang, stilled as if he sensed the dangerous undercurrent in the air. I watched from the corner of my eye as he slowly rolled out, watching with terror in his gaze.

“Stay out of it,” Alex managed to rasp, his eyes darting toward Neon and Javi. The warning in his gaze was clear as day; this was a family matter, and involving themselves would only lead to trouble they couldn’t afford.

Neon nodded, understanding the unspoken rule of loyalty and survival within our world. He dusted off his hands and backed away with a grimace, while Javi’s expression turned somber, his earlier greeting forgotten.

They knew better than to interfere with the Zhou brothers when tempers flared.

“Alex,” I said, my voice low and menacing, “what the hell are you playing at?” My grip eased just enough for him to drag in a ragged breath but not enough for him to break free. “You point a finger at me over some missing girl? You trying to stir shit up?”

His face, already reddening from the lack of air, contorted in frustration. “Nathan, I—“ he coughed, struggling against my hold.

“Talk,” I demanded, tightening my grip once more to reinforce my seriousness. His antics were threatening everything—my position, my future.

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