My One And Only - Chapter 32 The Vipers
” Also there has been a withdrawal of five lakh dollars from his account, which I believe was used to pay the Vipers. ” George completed his report.
” Tell him to come to the office. ” Arnav glanced at his watch, it was 5 pm. ” After his basketball tryouts.”
George nodded and left the office. Arnav felt uneasy.
The Vipers were one of the most prominent gangster in not only New York City but the entire of America. Although the major base of their operations were still unknown, it was widely speculated that they operated in two countries – New York and Chicago.
It was formed over three decades ago and was today one of the largest criminal society. Over the years, it had only amassed followers, making it by far biggest hub for illegal activities which included racketeering, smuggling, bribery, assault, money laundering, extortion, murdering and the list goes on. They were ruthless and manipulative.
The general target was the poor, who had no money, trained them and used them as tools. Each of the members had a viper sign engraved on their wrist, in return for their sworn loyalty. It was a life time contract and if anyone dared to break the contract, death was inevitable.
Arnav couldn’t think of a single reason why Advay would have tried to contact them. Unless, he wanted to invite trouble for himself.
He had himself dealt with them once, two years back. The encounter had been an unpleasant one, with him getting seriously wounded up and ending in the hospital. If it wasn’t for Murat, he wouldn’t have lived to see this day. He even had a scar on his back from that encounter.
It was almost 7 ‘o’ clock when Advay arrived at the office. He was casually dressed in a striped shirt and shorts. When George had called him, he had readily accepted as he didn’t have any evening plans.
Opening the door, he smiled at Arnav as he walked in. These few days they both had been busy, so there had been no time to catch up recently.
” Yo bro, what’s up? ” Advay asked his brother cheerfully, as he lounged in the chair in front of him. Picking up the Rubik’s cube from side table, he began to play with it.
Arnav felt his temper rising. Just how casually can he take his life? Walking over to him, he took the Rubik’s cube from his hands and placed it on the table.
” Why are you trying to contact the Vipers? ” Arnav asked him seriously, maintaining steady eye contact.
Advay froze. This was the last question that he had expected to come out of his mouth. Just how did he come to know so early?
The night Susan was attacked and he had rushed in to save her, he had noticed the viper sign on the wrist of the men. Since they had no personal grudge against her, it was evident that somebody had hired them to do so. And that was what he had been trying to find out. Even so, with the money he had paid them, he had found out only about half the deal.
He had decided to tell Arnav everything once he had himself found out, but now…
” I am not. ” Advay lied flatly, looking everywhere except at Arnav.
” You always avoid eye contact when you lie. It’s your childhood habit. ” Arnav answered quietly, gazing at him.
Damn! Did he really had to know him that well? However, he kept his silence, choosing not to answer him.
” What about the five lakh dollars? ” Arnav asked the next question. He wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily. The Vipers were responsible for destroying several lives and families. If it were a choice for him, he would keep him far away from all this.
” I.. that was for the coaching classes. ” Another lie.
” If that’s all.. ” Advay started rising out of the cushioned chair, wanting to avoid this line of questioning.
” Sit down! ” Arnav replied sharply.
” If you don’t tell me the truth now, I would have no choice but to tell Mr. Raizada about this. ”
Advay sneered. ” At least that way you and Dad will talk. “