Page 83 of Retaliation

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 façade, 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.

---