Page 47 of Azrael

The use of my birth name was another power play.I let it slide.“Just business.Are we here to reminisce or to finalize details?”

Around us, the market continued its evening dance.Tourists bargained for souvenirs they didn’t need, locals purchased dinner ingredients, and everyone pretended not to notice our tense little gathering.The vendor to our left, a heavyset woman selling scarves, deliberately turned her back on us, recognizing trouble when she saw it.

Viktor gestured to a young man standing nearby, who brought over a tablet.“The terms are set.You’ll meet him in an hour,” Viktor said, handing the tablet to me.His fingers lingered on the edge for a moment before he added, with steel in his voice, “Don’t disappoint.”

I took the tablet, scanning the information displayed.GPS coordinates for a warehouse, security details, and a grainy photo of Mazida.The sight of her face hardened something inside me.

“Your mother was Middle Eastern, wasn’t she?”Viktor asked, watching me too closely.“This must feel… personal.”

My jaw tightened.I didn’t ask how he knew about my mother.Information was currency in this world, and Viktor had always been rich.“Every trafficked woman is personal.How many guards?”

“Eight visible.Possibly more inside.Their leader, Darwish, expects payment, not trouble.”

“And he’ll get what he expects,” I said, passing the tablet to Samurai, who memorized the details with a quick glance before passing it to Stripes.

Viktor leaned in slightly.“Darwish is not a patient man.He’s also not stupid.He’ll be looking for a double-cross.”

“We’re not in the business of deception,” I replied.“We pay, she walks, everyone goes home happy.”

“And if complications arise?”Viktor asked, one eyebrow raised.

I met his gaze steadily.“Then he’ll understand why they call me the Angel of Death.”

A tense silence stretched between us, broken only when Stripes handed the tablet back to Viktor’s assistant.

“Your reputation precedes you,” Viktor acknowledged with a small nod.“There’s one more thing you should know.Darwish recently aligned himself with the Kazarian network.”

The name sent a ripple of tension through our small group.The Kazarians were notorious for their brutality and reach.What had been a straightforward exchange had just become significantly more complicated.

“That changes things,” Samurai said quietly.

Viktor shrugged.“Perhaps.Perhaps not.They’re still businessmen.The question is whether you’re prepared to pay the higher price they’ll demand when they recognize who they’re dealing with.”

“Money isn’t an issue,” I said.

“I wasn’t talking about money.”Viktor’s eyes narrowed.“The Kazarians collect debts in blood and favors.Be prepared to offer both.”

With that, he inclined his head slightly and stepped back, signaling the end of our meeting.His assistant disappeared into the crowd, and a moment later, Viktor followed, leaving us standing at the now-empty electronics stall.

“This is fucked,” Samurai muttered once Viktor was out of earshot.“If Darwish is tied to the Kazarians, this isn’t just about retrieving the woman anymore.”

I nodded, already calculating the new variables.“Call Charming.He needs to know the situation’s changed.”

Samurai stepped away, phone in hand, while Stripes moved closer to me.

“Kazarians have a long memory,” he said gravely.“If they recognize me, this complicates things further.”

“Your Bratva days catching up with you, old man?”I asked, though there was no humor in my voice.

Stripes’ face remained impassive.“Over forty years ago, I killed a Kazarian’s younger brother in Moscow.Some things are not forgiven.”

“Fuck.”I ran a hand over my face, feeling the day’s stubble rasp against my palm.“Can you sit this one out?”

His expression hardened.“Nyet.I don’t hide from my past.Besides, you need me.My Russian will be useful.”

Before I could argue, Samurai returned, his expression grim.“Charming says to proceed.Whatever it takes.Since Zara is your woman, that makes Mazida family.”

“And you specifically told him about the Kazarian connection?”I had to make sure.It felt like Charming had agreed too easily.

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