Everyone knew that the ideal headquarters for a triad was the back room of a mediocre restaurant. It had to get enough foot traffic that the bank deposits looked legit, but still be quiet enough on a weekday afternoon that the lieutenants could sit down to a meeting in peace. This was common fucking knowledge and common fucking sense, but did it stop Zolt from poaching the assistant chef down at the Four Elements? Of course not.
He always said it was for the sake of the banks—to make bigger deposits without raising suspicion, but Viper knew it was really because the old man would rather die than be associated with bad food. He would have set up shop in the private lounge of Kwong's Cuisine if they'd let him.
Viper shook his head as he shouldered past the line of people waiting to be seated by the hostess. Two in the afternoon on a tui damned Wednesday and the line was still stretching out the door.
"We're moving," he announced to the group of lieutenants playing cards and day drinking at a table in the lounge. "Someplace low key. Make it happen by the end of the month."
He didn't wait to see their reactions before finishing the walk up to Zolt's office. No, his office. The old man had left willingly after Amon took his bending, but Viper liked to think he would have forced the matter if it had come to that.
He looked through the platinum lock box Zolt had given him the combination to, reading up on all the secrets and side deals that had kept the Triple Threats on top for well over two decades. He took his first two meetings as boss—one with the accountant, one with their guy on the RCPD—before finding himself utterly in need of a distraction.
He picked up the phone at the edge of the desk before dialing a familiar number.
“Status report,” she said in a commanding tone. “Are the shipments in the bay?”
She sucked her teeth. “I should have never given you my direct line,” she said. “What do you want?”
Viper chuckled. “I can’t call just to talk to you?”
“I’d greatly prefer it if you wouldn’t.”
“Come over, then,” he said. “My new office could use breaking in.”
Jargala scoffed. “You’re inviting a rival boss into your headquarters just so we can fuck on your desk?”
Viper started clearing the documents off said desk in anticipation. “And on the couch and against the wall and—”
“I’ll do that thing with my tongue that you like.” There was a pause on the line and Viper knew he had her.
“See you in twenty, sweetheart.”
She took an hour to get there, likely out of spite, and pinned him with a look of derision when Ping and Miki escorted her up to his office.
“You want the lieutenants in here for this meeting, boss?” Miki asked from the doorway.
“No. I want absolute privacy,” Viper told her. “Don’t so much as knock on this door for the next two hours, even if the place is on fire.”
“Two hours?” Jargala repeated, one eyebrow raised and arms crossed over her chest.
“Better make it three,” Viper said and then waved a hand, dismissing his people.
“This is nice,” she said, taking a seat at the edge of the desk once the door closed. “Too nice. Zolt must’ve been fucking Chief Beifong herself to keep the cops from raiding this place.”
“Who are you telling?” he asked, deciding not to run his mouth this time. “It’s too risky. I’ll have my people out of here in no time, though.”
“Down to some dungeon in the Dragon Flats, I’m sure.” She took a moment to inspect her manicure. “Boring.”
“Then come here and let me entertain you,” he said, taking her hand pulling her down onto his lap.
Jargala rolled her eyes and let her hips rock against him. “You’re intolerable,” she murmured against his lips as they descended on hers.
“And you’re irresistible,” he said close to her ear, while his hand skated up her inner thigh. “Where does that leave us?”
“Mmm…right there,” she breathed.
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