Chapter 39:Whispers of Betrayal
The aftermath of Kai's abduction left an unsettling silence in the air. Leo couldn't shake the image of Kai, calm and composed despite being held captive. It was unnerving how unbothered Kai seemed, even in the face of danger.
Back at the safe house, Kai's men worked quietly, cleaning up and preparing for the next move. Leo sat in a corner, Nero perched on his shoulder, ruffling his feathers. The parrot squawked occasionally, as if voicing the confusion Leo felt.
Kai entered the room, his presence commanding attention without a word. He sat across from Leo, studying him with a slight smirk.
"You've been quiet," Kai said.
Leo leaned back, folding his arms. "I'm trying to figure out how you managed to stay so calm. They had guns pointed at you, Kai."
Kai chuckled. "Leo, I've faced worse. Those men were amateurs at best."
"Amateurs or not, they managed to grab you," Leo shot back, frustration creeping into his voice.
Kai's smirk faded. "Only because I let them."
---
A Deeper Threat
Leo blinked, his frustration giving way to confusion. "What do you mean, you let them?"
Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I needed to know who was behind the attack. Sometimes, the best way to draw out a snake is to let it think it has the upper hand."
Leo frowned, trying to process Kai's logic. "You're telling me you used yourself as bait?"
Kai nodded. "Exactly. And now we know the Crimson Vipers are involved."
The name sent a chill down Leo's spine. "The Crimson Vipers? Aren't they one of the most dangerous gangs in the underground?"
Kai's expression hardened. "They are, but they've overstepped. Attacking me was their first mistake. Underestimating me will be their last."
---
A Cryptic Warning
Before Leo could respond, one of Kai's men entered the room, holding a tablet. "Boss, we found something."
Kai took the tablet and scanned the screen. His jaw tightened as he read the report.
"What is it?" Leo asked, his curiosity piqued.
Kai hesitated before speaking. "It's a message. A warning, sent anonymously."
Leo leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "What does it say?"
Kai handed him the tablet. The message was short but chilling:
"The past always catches up. You can't protect him forever."
Leo felt a knot form in his stomach. "What does that mean? Who are they talking about?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. His eyes darkened, and his grip on the tablet tightened. "It doesn't matter. Whoever they are, they won't get the chance to make good on their threat."
---
The Crimson Vipers
Kai stood, his demeanor shifting from contemplative to commanding. "It's time to pay the Crimson Vipers a visit."
Leo shot up from his seat. "Wait, you're just going to walk into their territory? That's suicide!"
Kai smirked. "For them, maybe. Not for me."
Despite his protests, Leo found himself following Kai and his men. The drive to the Vipers' hideout was tense, the air thick with unspoken questions.
When they arrived, Leo was struck by the stark contrast between the chaotic streets and the imposing structure before them. The Vipers' headquarters was a fortress, surrounded by armed guards and surveillance cameras.
Kai walked up to the front gate as if he owned the place. The guards tensed, their weapons at the ready.
"I'm here to see your boss," Kai said, his tone calm but commanding.
One of the guards sneered. "You think you can just waltz in here and—"
Kai didn't let him finish. With lightning speed, he disarmed the man and had him on the ground in seconds. The other guards hesitated, their confidence wavering.
"Anyone else want to question me?" Kai asked, his voice icy.
---
The Meeting
Inside the Vipers' headquarters, the tension was palpable. Their leader, a man named Darius, sat behind a desk, his eyes narrowing as Kai entered the room.
"Kai," Darius said, his tone laced with mockery. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Kai didn't bother with pleasantries. "You attacked my men. You tried to kidnap me. Explain yourself."
Darius smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I don't need to explain anything to you."
Kai's eyes glinted dangerously. "You do if you want to walk out of this alive."
The room fell silent, the weight of Kai's words sinking in. Even Darius, who prided himself on his bravado, seemed to falter under Kai's gaze.
---
A Twisted Revelation
As the conversation continued, it became clear that Darius wasn't acting alone. He hinted at a larger force pulling the strings, someone who wanted to destabilize the underground world.
Kai pressed him for details, but Darius refused to reveal the identity of his benefactor.
Frustrated, Kai stood. "If you won't talk, I'll make sure you never have the chance to cross me again."
Darius paled. "Wait! I'll talk!"
Kai paused, giving him a chance to speak.
"There's a new player in the underground," Darius admitted. "Someone powerful, with resources we can't even comprehend. They call themselves... the Obsidian Crown."
Kai exchanged a glance with Leo, who had been silently observing the exchange. The name was unfamiliar, but the weight it carried was undeniable.
---