Page 19 of Serpent King's Prisoner

“Change isn’t really in the cards,” I replied curtly. No matter what my heart yearned for, the Serpent’s call was one I couldn’t ignore—not if I wanted to keep those I cared about safe.

“I don’t mean getting out of the business,” Jack said. “We both know that isn’t a possibility. But maybe…I don’t know, ease off the beatings and assassinations?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

He shrugged. “You just look more and more like a killer, mate. Fuckin’ scary.”

“Fine,” I added before he could press further, sealing away any hint of vulnerability. “I’m fine.”

Jack raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. Instead, he raised his glass in a silent toast to the battles ahead, to the unspoken oaths that bound us to this life. The life of shadows and debts paid in blood.

“Fine,” he echoed, but the word hung between us, heavy with the things left unsaid.

At least for now, I trusted him. And for now, I would let him live.

Chapter Ten: Abby

Iwas supposed to be here to work…but fuck, I wanted to get laid.

The bass pounded through my body like a second heartbeat, the neon lights from the club’s ceiling swirling in a dizzying dance of color. Erika, flushed and bright-eyed, threw her head back with a laugh that blended into the music as she spun on the dance floor. Around us, the air hummed with laughter, clinks of glasses, and the thudding rhythm of the latest pop hit that had everyone moving.

“Come on, Abby! Live a little!” Erika shouted over the noise, her hands grabbing mine, pulling me into the fray. I couldn’t help but smile; her energy was infectious—even if I was here on a job.

I scanned the room under the guise of swaying to the beat, my eyes flickering over the shadowed corners where members of the Triad leaned against the walls, their watchful gazes hidden beneath the brim of expensive hats. My drink, barely touched, was just a prop—diluted enough to keep my head clear while I kept up appearances.

“Looks like you’re working too hard at having fun,” one of Erika’s coworkers yelled playfully, bumping his shoulder against mine. I laughed it off, turning my focus to the group for a moment. They were easy company, oblivious to the real reason I mingled among them.

My phone vibrated insistently against my thigh, Tyler’s texts lighting up the screen with warnings. “This is a stupid idea.”

I’d briefed him on the fact that I was going to Fusion, telling him I might have an in, but it was a quick phone call and I hadn’t let him talk me out of it. I was on the verge of something big, I could feel it.

I dismissed each message with an eye roll, slipping the device back into my pocket. He didn’t understand—the thrill of the chase, the need to be right in the thick of it. Plus, I wasn’t some damsel—he should’ve known better. I was an FBI agent just like him.

As the night wore on, the heat of the crowded room wrapped around us, a tangible thing that made clothes stick and skin glisten. I danced with a couple of guys who were undeniably attractive, sure, but this was no time to get sidetracked. Even if they had wanted more, I kept thinking about the cute stranger from the flower shop next to the Red Lantern.

Each time my phone buzzed, a reminder of Tyler’s disapproval, I pushed it further away. I wasn’t going to acknowledge him.

I knew I was exactly where I needed to be—even if it meant playing a part.

I excused myself from the dance floor, needing a break and a chance to regather my thoughts. The line for the bathroom was nearly out the door, but I waited, my mind sifting through the details of the assignment. This was part of the job—patience in the mundane moments.

“Did you see those guys getting bottle service?” A pretty blonde behind me whispered to her friend, her voice tinged with both fear and fascination.

“Hot, yeah, but stay away. They’re dangerous,” her raven haired friend replied, glancing around as if the mere mention might summon trouble. I was just really glad that this was a part of the club I could hear in, because my ears perked up as soon as she said that.

“Like how?” the first pressed, her curiosity piqued.

“Like...underworld dangerous. Like don’t even breathe in their direction or you’ll end up in a ditch.”

I guessed the alcohol must’ve been making her far louder than she usually was but I was very glad for it. My agent instincts kicked into high gear beneath my feigned disinterest. This was the kind of intel I needed—street-level rumors that often carried more truth than people realized.

“No way, those hotties? They’re probably dangerous…in bed.”

“Shh! I heard the Serpent’s Fang is here tonight,” the dark haired girl said, dropping her voice even lower. Her eyes were wide, reflecting the neon lights that flickered across the club’s walls.

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yes, seriously!”

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