Page 15 of Love of the Egoist
??E??
GREG’S EYES WIDENEDwhen Kuon tumbled out of the room. Pale, blood covered skin, sunken eyes with purple shadows beneath, tormented swollen lips, several new bruises that promised to turn black the next day, and bright crimson blood trickling down his inner thighs finished the picture. The guard moved forward and extended his hand in an attempt to support him. Kuon dashed aside from his touch as if avoiding the plague. He swayed back, leaning against the wall, and covered his eyes with his trembling forearm.
Kuon didn’t look like he was about to move anytime soon. In several minutes, Greg grew tired of waiting. He grabbed Kuon’s elbow and dragged him to the bathroom.
??E??
HOT, PIERCING STREAMS OF WATERbombarded his tender, feverish skin. His head was splitting apart when a nasty wave of disgust flooded his body. His legs gave way, and he sunk to the wet tile floor right on his naked ass—exhausted, powerless. His stomach swirled, and he hunched forward puking out the reddish mixture that burned his throat.
He retched a few more times until there was nothing left inside of him—no content, no emotions, no thoughts.
Kuon shivered. His eyelids dropped on their own, and the ground vanished beneath him. He didn’t even try to resist, completely letting go, sinking into frigid sleep, heavy and mired as an icy pool.
CHAPTER 4
YUGO PEERED OUT OF THE WINDOW, watching the morning sun fighting through the thick, gray clouds. His polished fingernails tapped the solid surface of the windowsill in a staccato rhythm before he rubbed his chin and turned to face the room. The black square stone of his French cufflink reflected the golden light coming from the heavy bronze chandelier.
Greg leaned against the door with his arms folded over his broad chest. His dark blue suit was crumpled as if he slept fully dressed in a car. Yugo straightened his black, flawless suit before facing the other man.
The piercing gaze of Tobias’ bleak, colorless eyes with the holes of his ever-thin pupils peered up at Yugo as the man sat in the black leather guest chair. Wearing a gray plain jersey, the man in his forties looked no older than twenty-five. A messy mop of yellow hair stood up at the back of his head in a weird, pillow forced angle.
“The Al-Amin haven’t seized any major urban areas for… more than a decade? Why now?” Yugo didn’t wait for an answer. “Kunduz is a wealthy city and a key strategic point in the north, but they wouldn’t be able to hold it for long. What would this bring except some short-lived propaganda? I don’t believe they do it only for the sake of glory. Ahmad Amin would never waste his manpower if it brings nothing solid. Unless ... there is someone they want. Someone in the government? In the prison? Who?”
The yellow head snapped to the side as Tobias showed his crooked teeth behind an unnatural, creepy smile.
You know this already, don’t you?Yugo thought, watching Tobias from under his knitted brows.What else have you figured out and didn’t tell me?
“Who knows?” Tobias shrugged, answering both of his questions, voiced and mute.
“Find out.” Shooting the sharp glance at Greg, Yugo placed his palms on the smooth surface of the hardwood table: “Afghanistan lacks air power. Promise the Al-Amin what you can deliver within four days and add three helicopters. Reassure them of our total support. If they need people, we will provide them. Take the nearest flight to Kabul, meet Ahmad Amin, and make sure our offer is the best they have. Call me when you get there. Gustavo will join you in a few days.”
Tobias got up. His relaxed shoulders shifting with his every move, bringing his lean build the dangerous, predatory aura of a sharp dagger. He flashed another creepy smile, then moved for the door.
“Greg, you stay,” Yugo said, straightening up and with a movement of his clean-shaven chin pointed toward the empty chair.
Letting Tobias out and closing the door behind his back, Greg approached the table but didn’t take a seat. Staying in front of Yugo with his gaze turned downwards, he waited for his boss to speak.
“Rudolph isn’t happy, I assume.”
“No. This deal spoiled his agreement with the Islamic Liberation Organization. They don’t like us supporting the Al-Amin. The girls he wanted to buy cheap, now cost twice as much. He tried to find a compromise, but the ILO doesn’t like the idea of the Al-Amin gaining even more influence in Afghanistan,” Greg replied.
“Rudolph will have to let it go. I can’t lose any more territories here. The girls can wait. He has plenty for now.” Yugo scratched his cheek and then asked, “How is the boy?”
Greg glanced up, his mouth went slack for a second but closed immediately.
“Umm…” He swallowed, then stuttered something unintelligible. Dropping his gaze to the floor again, he shifted from one foot to the other.
“I asked, how is he?” Yugo snapped, piercing the bigger man with a murderous glare.
“He threw up several times and lost consciousness. To my knowledge he hasn’t come to his senses since,” Greg enunciated as if reporting in the army; guilt crossing his face.
Yugo snapped his fingers several times and looked around. Irritation spreading in his chest as his hand didn’t immediately find what he wanted. He frowned, then remembered where he left his cigarettes. Reaching backward, he picked up a lighter from the windowsill. Lithe fingers fetched a smoke out of the pack that lay nearby, brought it to his mouth. Squeezing the filter between his lips, he stroked the lighter, brought the flame to the tip of his cigarette and sucked the hotness in. His eyes hooded as the first smoke filled his lungs, bringing relief. The tension bled out of his body with the fumes as he slumped into his deep office chair.
He closed his eyes. He didn’t know what to do with this boy. He didn’t want to kill him. At least not yet. Kuon’s arrogant behavior and indefatigable vital energy attracted Yugo, but that was a weak reason to let him go. The boy had ruined his deal. Yugo lost clients, his reputation had been shaken, and his rivals used the opportunity to take advantage and gain new territories.
Deep in thoughts, he didn’t notice his cigarette smoldering. Greg, standing stock still by the table, cleared his throat reminding his boss of his presence.
“Prepare the room next to mine. Clear everything out except the mattress. Remove chandeliers, install built-in lighting instead, and change the window to a plastic one so he can’t break it. Put bars on the windows and set up hidden cameras. Today.” The guidance was given in a tone that left no room for questions or disobedience.
