Den of Vipers

torched with your people. Remember the olive branch I offered.” He sighs
and gets to his feet, buttoning up his suit jacket. To add insult to injury, he
throws down the money to cover the bill. “It’s on me. I know you’re going
through financial hardships, wouldn’t want you to go bust long before I
destroy you.”
Without another word, Ryder turns to us, his eyes dark and triumphant. I
wait, any moment now…
Boom.
The Triad stands, a snarl on his face. “You’re children! You know
nothing of this game! My family ran this city before you came along!” he
roars.
Ryder glances at him over his shoulder. “You did, not anymore. Get with
the times, or die.”
Kenzo and I part for him. I go last, letting Kenzo protect Ryder’s back.
The man twitches, so I part my leather jacket and flash my piece at him. “I
wouldn’t,” I growl, and when I’m sure he won’t shoot I turn my back.
It’s a risk, he could stab me or shoot me, but this way, I’m showing him
exactly how scared of him we are. He swears, and I hear the smashing of
glasses, making me smile. Before the month is through, they will be ours.
Nothing gets in our way, not when Ryder sets his mind to it.
And the man just insulted Ryder and our family. They’re dead men
walking, they just don’t know it yet. The man doesn’t attack, though, he
knows better. He threw down the gauntlet, and now he has to live with the
consequences.
Exiting the restaurant, I pull on my shades and swing onto my bike as
Kenzo shuts Ryder’s door and climbs into the driver’s seat. I nod and yank on
my helmet. It’s time. We have a debt to collect.
We race through the city back to the Viper Industries skyscraper. Roaring
through the streets, I disregard the speed limit—this is the only time I feel
alive—and pull into the underground garage before Ryder and Kenzo. I scan
my hand and eyes in the security panel—you can never be too cautious—then
pull into my spot before climbing off. Storing my helmet, I decide to go grab
D before they get here.
I head to the elevator, riding it all the way down to the basement that
most people don’t even know exists. That’s where he’ll be, I know it.
I was right. I find Diesel in the basement, which he calls ‘the fire cave.’
Seriously, if this guy wasn’t like a brother to me, I would be terrified. I’m