Page 102 of Feral King

“Indeed,” she says. Her tone is ice cold, bloodless. “But that agreement was conditional upon stability. And those conditions have changed.”

“The conditions haven’t changed.” There’s a whisper of an edge to my words. “They’ve been manufactured.”

I glance over at Dobrov, who looks like he’s using every last bit of strength he has to suppress a pleased smile. “You, Dobrov, and Alexander made a deal. That’s what this is.”

Mrs. Lee’s expression doesn’t change one bit. “I represent the Triad’s position. How I arrived at that position is not relevant to this council.”

“It’s relevant to me.”

“With respect, Mr. Volkov, this council doesn’t operate on what’s relevant to you. It operates on votes.” She folds her hands. “The Triad’s support follows Alexander Volkov. And so does the Dobrov syndicate, and the Morozov family.”

“You went behind my back,” I growl. “All of you.”

“Business is business,” Mrs. Lee says. “You’re the head of this organization, Julian. You, of all people, should know that.”

Three votes, plus Lee’s weight, could shift the dynamic considerably.

The other syndicate heads are watching, the ones who were waiting to see which way the wind blew before committing. And the wind sure as hell just changed direction.

“I move that we postpone the vote,” Baranov says. He’s an older, cautious man. “These are significant developments. We need time to?—”

"There is no time." Lee's voice cuts clean. "The Triad's offer expires tonight. You can accept the terms as stated or let the Pacific routes close off—to everyone at this table.”

She's bluffing. Or not. I can't tell, and that's a problem. Because in every previous interaction, I could read Lee. I could see the seams, but tonight the seams are gone.

A thought occurs to me then. Maybe Yang has nothing to do with this, that this is a move conjured up by Lee and Lee alone.

It’s a bluff I’m willing to call.

"I'd like to speak with Mr. Yang," I say. "Directly, before any vote is taken."

"Mr. Yang is no longer available."

No longer available.

Not busy. Not traveling. Not indisposed.No longer available.

I feel Ethan shift behind me. He caught it, too.

"What does that mean exactly, Mrs. Lee?"

"It means what it means, Mr. Volkov. The Triad's position has been stated. The council can now deliberate. I'll be in the adjoining room when you've reached a decision."

She walks out. Her men follow, the side door closes heavily behind them.

The room goes quiet as soon as they’re gone.

I reach for my phone, but there’s no signal.

I look at Ethan. He checks his and shakes his head.

The room has been jammed.

Something is wrong.

Very, very wrong.

CHAPTER 38