Page 86 of The Dragon 2
Whereas Asian alliances were carved into our skin.
“Hmmm. Once the Lion is gone. . .” I murmured, letting the thought hang like fog on a battlefield. “Is the Lion sick?”
“No, but I believe his days may be numbered.” The Butcher turned slightly, eyes searching mine. “Of course. . .there would need to be assistance.”
“Interesting.”
“I just wonder ifyouwould be able to assist me and others with this.”
Others? The Butcher and others have been plotting the Lion’s assassination. Very, very fucking interesting.
Even though Reo and Hiro were several feet away, I knew they both had caught every word.
The Butcher had just placed his piece on the board.
Now it was my move.
“My assistance.” I turned my head and studied him the way a man might study a blade before deciding if it deserved blood. “I always help my friends, yet it also takes time for me to maketruefriends.”
There was silence.
I felt the pulse of mafia politics threading beneath this conversation. Power shifting tectonic plates that were invisible until the earthquake started.
Jean-Pierre was probing our possible alliance. Now I knew why he had the female assassins in the lobby. It wasn’t to keep himself safe, it was to test how strong and smart we were. If we were worthy enough to have an alliance.
He was calculating how close he could get to cutting Kazimir’s throat without staining his own suit.
And his intended position for me?
I was sure the Butcher wanted to me to take the knife and use it on the Lion.
I must be careful. . .
The West was so fickle. This year the Butcher could want the Lion dead. Years later, he could be the Lion’s best friend.
I would need to protect my position.
Jean-Pierre studied me. Soon a smile formed on his face. “Speaking of friendship.”
I quirked my brows.
He turned and raised one hand toward the back of the box.
I turned with him.
Two men emerged from the darkness carrying items.
What does the Butcher have planned for us now?
Chapter sixteen
An Opera of Empires
Kenji
The two men continued our way. One brought over a small table. Another carried a long, rectangular lacquered case. On top of it was a golden dragon about to swallow a full moon.
My breath didn’t catch—but my thoughts did.
