Page 92 of Serpent King's Revenge

His words made my blood run cold. Fear twisted my stomach into a tight knot as I thought about what he was capable of.

"No,” I started, but Kenny kept talking.

“We discussed this, Abigail,” he said. “Nathan didn’t prove himself; you got him out. And now, you belong to me…especially after you betrayed me.”

“I didn’t…”

Nathan stepped close to me, his hand reaching out as he waited for me to pass him the phone. Kenny was still talking.

"Abigail, you don't seem to know who you're dealing with. Even now. I can’t wait to show you," he taunted, his words dripping with condescension.

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “I’m going to kill him,” Nathan said, loud enough for Kenny to hear.

"Put my son on," he demanded, the command clipped and precise. I glanced over at Nathan, his black hair disheveled. He must have been tugging at it, stressed. He gave me a curt nod, and I pressed the speaker button, allowing Kenny's cold voice to fill the room.

“I’m here,” Nathan said, somehow still calm and collected.

"Ah, the prodigal son," Kenny sneered. "I hope you're enjoying your time with Abigail. Get your dick wet while you still have one…”

Nathan remained silent, his brown eyes never leaving mine. I could see the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior, but he didn't let it show beyond balling his hands into fists. Instead, he simply listened, waiting for whatever twisted game Kenny wanted to play.

"Your father is not someone to be trifled with, Nathan," Kenny continued. "You'd do well to remember that."

"Is that all you have to say?" Nathan finally replied, his voice icy. "You want me to tell me how tough you are? Okay. You’re tough. Satisfied?”

Kenny chuckled darkly, and I shuddered at the sound. This was a man who enjoyed every second of the control he wielded, and it terrified me to think of what he might do next.

"Aw,” he said. “I’ve always found your little rebellious streak…a little endearing. It’s foolish, of course, but it made me think that you were the right choice for heir. You’ve always had that in you. That Zhou stubborness.”

“Thank you for your support,” Nathan gritted out. “Now are you ready to talk?”

Kenny went quiet, a soft laugh trailing off…

“I’m listening.”

“Look,” Nathan said. “The Vipers…there was a strike on their base. They’re done, over. I know when to give up…and I want to talk concessions.”

“You think I’ll take concessions from the son who stabbed me in the back? There are no concessions I want other than your whore in my bed and your head on a platter–”

“I didn’t betray you.”

“But you did!” Kenny sppat–and there was no more negotiating. “I know your little whore’s secret. Let me share something with you both. You see, I've got a few friends in high places. My reach extends beyond the criminal world, straight into the heart of the FBI."

We’d known that…and I guess we should have known Diane had told him I was FBI by now.

It still put us on the back foot in this fight.

Nathan's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "What do you mean?"

“Agent Hayes told me that Abigail is an agent weeks ago. I thought we could turn her…but I see now her loyalty is to you. And you…you knew, didn’t you?”

Nathan didn’t say a word.

“This whole time I thought Alex was the failure; Justin came out wrong, Lily was too soft. But you, Nathan? You were my greatest creation, and you were the first to turn your back on me.”

“You’re a monster, and I am not your creation,” Nathan said, starting to lose his temper.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Kenny went on. “I still know how to hit you where it hurts.”

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