Serpentine Empire

Chapter 6

Following the security guard, we ascended to the second floor of the opulent mansion. Unlike the lively scene downstairs, the upper floor was eerily quiet, its halls lined with armed guards who eyed us with suspicion. Before we were allowed to proceed, I was searched thoroughly.

The tension was suffocating. Why the intense security? What is Isabel dragging me into?

We stopped at a large set of double doors. A guard at the entrance stepped forward and took our phones.

"Apologies, Lady Isabel," he said as he confiscated hers.

"That's fine," Isabel replied coldly, "but if you lay a hand on me, I'll have you killed."

Her bluntness made my stomach churn. She threw out death threats as casually as greetings. Who is she? An underground boss?

Inside, the room exuded power and danger. A man with tattoos covering his neck and hands sat behind a desk. He wore a sheer black shirt that left little to the imagination, paired with sharp suit pants. A Cuban cigar dangled from his lips as he eyed Isabel with an air of arrogance. He looked like a villain straight out of a crime thriller, the kind of man who thrived on intimidation.

"Isabel, baby! That dress is dangerous—it makes me want to tear it right off you," he said, stepping toward her with a cocky grin.

"Keep your pants on, Anthony. Your little dick wouldn't satisfy me," Isabel shot back, her voice dripping with disdain.

"How would you know if you've never tried?" he sneered, reaching out to stroke her cheek. "Let's clear the room, and I'll show you what you're missing."

My fists clenched involuntarily. This asshole is pissing me off. But Isabel remained composed, her expression unreadable.

"Take your hands off me unless you want to lose them," she said in a calm, icy tone.

Anthony chuckled, withdrawing his hand slowly. "I'm scared. Hector's not here to protect you. And who the fuck is this?" He motioned toward me, his eyes narrowing.

Isabel raised her hand, signaling for me to stay silent. "Let's get to business. I didn't come here to play your games."

"Tsk, it's always business with you," he said, retreating to his desk with a mocking grin.

Isabel handed him a hard drive, which he plugged into his laptop. After a moment, he turned the screen toward her.

"30%," he said.

"50%," Isabel countered.

"Are you insane?" Anthony barked. "You're using my trade routes! I should get more."

"I'm the one producing and paying off the Feds to look the other way," Isabel replied sharply. "Shouldn't I get a larger share?"

Anthony slammed his hand on the desk. "Listen, Isabella. I'm the one risking my clients. If they find out I'm canceling their shipments to push your product, I'll lose future business. That's a risk I'm taking, not you."

"That's not my problem," Isabel said, her voice steely. "I already told you—this shipment will cost you."

The conversation was cryptic, but I was beginning to piece it together. Drugs. They're talking about drugs. Is Isabel a drug lord?

Anthony smirked. "I knew you'd pull some shit like this, so I made my move. I've partnered with the Yamaha Family. Your trade route in Japan? It's mine now. Since I'm handling both routes, the new split is 75% for me, and 25% for you."

Isabel's expression darkened. "The Yamaha betrayed me? How much did you pay them—half a billion?"

Anthony shrugged. "Does it matter? I control Asia now. You're lucky I'm even offering you 25%."

Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a contract and tossed it in front of her. "Sign it, or I'll cut you out of the Asian and European markets entirely."

Isabel's lips curled into a faint smile. "This is the game you want to play? Fine, I'll sign."

But as she reached for the pen, her hand darted forward, grabbing Anthony by the collar. In one swift motion, she plunged the pen into his neck, twisting it deep into his flesh.

"Since you want to play dirty, Anthony, I'll take 100% instead," she whispered in his ear.

Blood sprayed across the desk as Anthony gurgled, clutching at his neck.

The guards at the door reacted instantly, reaching for their guns. Adrenaline surged through me. Without thinking, I lunged at the nearest guard, landing a punch that sent him sprawling. Pivoting, I caught the second guard with an uppercut, knocking him out cold.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I yelled, turning to Isabel, my voice shaking with shock.

She yanked the pen out of Anthony's neck, letting more blood gush onto the desk. "Let go of me, Damon," she said, her eyes colder than I'd ever seen.

Her gaze froze me in place. I hesitated, the weight of her presence overwhelming.

As Anthony bled out, Isabel calmly rifled through his desk, retrieving a stack of documents. "Got it," she said cheerfully, folding the papers into a briefcase she'd found.

She then walked over to the unconscious guards, retrieving her phone. Dialing Hector, she said, "We've got it. Start buying up their stocks."

Turning back to Anthony, who was still gasping for air, she leaned in close.

"You fucking bitch," he rasped.

Isabel's expression didn't waver. Grabbing another pen from the desk, she began stabbing him repeatedly, each strike more brutal than the last.

I froze, paralyzed by the sheer brutality of it. Blood splattered across her face and dress, but she remained eerily calm as if this were just another day at work.

Wiping the blood from her hands, she turned to me.

"Welcome to my world, Damon," she said, her voice devoid of emotion.

Too stunned to respond, I followed her out of the room.

Downstairs, the party was still in full swing. Guests mingled, laughing and sipping champagne, oblivious to the carnage that had just taken place upstairs.

Isabel moved through the crowd effortlessly, her charm and composure unshaken. She smiled, chatted, and even laughed with the guests, maintaining the façade of a socialite.

How could she act so normal after what she'd just done?

Finally, we exited the mansion and climbed into Hector's SUV.

As we drove away, I glanced back at the sprawling estate, dread settling in my chest.

The bloodshed I'd witnessed was unlike anything I'd ever imagined. And the worst part? I knew this was just the beginning.