Taboo: Bittersweet Revenge (Sequel)

Women's Intuition

(Author's Note at the end)

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I leaned on the single crutch under my left arm and stared at the snake tank. I took off my glasses for a while and rubbed my eyes due to fatigue. Nakumora's striking words consumed my thoughts. It was one of the first things he said to me, 'Inside a viper's nest, you must also be a viper'. I don't know why that ran through my mind as I contemplated how to address Christian's situation. In a way I was in arms reach of danger if Christian gets close to me.

Pretty crazy analogy, but that was literally how I was feeling right now. Although I didn't like it, I had to distance myself from him, for my safety. It finally set it in me that if I get too close, I could be walking right into a danger zone. But if I was in the danger zone, then I must also be a danger.

If Austin was right, and Christian really is the next hitman, then I have to be on high alert. But at the same time, I wanted to help him. I fear that distancing myself from him will only make the situation worse.

I brought my attention back to the snake tank, watching Zeus slither up a branch. I tilt my head slightly to get a better view of him as I let out a deep breath and I smile. "Feel free to speak up if you can help me here" I asked rhetorically.

The sound of the door bell hazed me for a split moment. I placed my glasses back on and limped over to the door from across the room. Gosh I hated this! Having to limb and carry this damn crutch with me everywhere I walk! And this metal knee brace wasn't helping with the comfort level either.

I swung open the door and Austin appeared to the other side. He held an envelope in his hand as I allow him to come in. "I've got a potential lead here, sound pretty promising, I want you to take a look..." He admitted. I guess he seems that to think that were on the same page now.

"Hey,....how are you?.... How's your knee?.....' is what a normal person would say" I shrugged sarcastically as I close the door behind him. His lack of personal space was pretty amusing to watch and I didn't know why.

"We might not have time for small talk. Security cameras outside my office captured this right after you left" he stated before handing me the envelope. When I opened the sleeve, it revealed a captured frame of me walking away from Austin office, but a vehicle was not far behind.

The reason that was weird way because it was about 3am in the morning. I doubt someone would gave the energy to whip out a pair of binoculars on a specific person "Who's the guy in the car?" I asked him.

"The guys name is Joey Styles, an Interpol agent working on the inside for Argent. He's the one that gave the orders to wipe you out. Right now seems to be a good time for him, with you injured and Christian losing his mind rapidly, there's no better time for him to finish the job than now". I was staring into the eyes of the man who ordered at least half a dozen men to get rid of me.

Why would Argent want an insider working for him? What was is about it this guy that Argent needed? "Do you have any idea where Christian is?" I asked him. Maybe Christian wanted to finish the job today so I had to be on my toes.

"Haven't heard from him since Friday. I'm starting to get worried" he explained as I drop the envelope and limb over to the fridge and reach for a beer bottle. "Yeah well, get in line. I'm worried about him too, but I don't know what else to do. He's changed before, I know I can help him again..." I begged but Austin cut me off abruptly.

"We will do as much as we can to help him, but from a distance. You, especially, cannot get near him. Do not give Argent that opportunity. Live to fight another day" he explained bluntly before I roll my eyes and sip on the beer.