Page 46 of Iblis' Affliction
THOUGH TALHA RETURNED HOMEthe next evening, Slater didn’t show up for three more days. Without the reaper, his life fell into accustomed grooves, and for the first time in weeks, Talha called a meeting at home.
Folding his hands behind his head, Talha leaned back into the tall throne-like chair that stood in the head of the wooden ?-shaped table. Twelve people dressed in refined suits took their places. Bright sun, breaking through the transparent curtains, played with the silverish marble floor, adding to the morning serenity.
With everyone seated, Talha leaned forward, clasped his fingers on the tabletop, and looked each man in the eye.
“I called you in because I have some announcements to make.” The massive double door of the Grand Hall opened, and Slater slipped in. His icy eyes focused on Talha as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the marble wall. Talha squinted, examining his pale features, tense stance, and yellowish, healing bruises. A few men shot curious looks at Slater before returning their attention to Talha.
Dinçer stiffened, and his chiseled face morphed into an impenetrable mask. His first thought about chasing the reaper away disappeared, as Talha realized that he’d never seen Slater around people. It was a good opportunity to learn his behavior and understand how close Talha could keep him. Deciding to wait and watch, Talha continued. “You probably already know that Ejder left Istanbul. What you don’t know is that he will be taking over Southeast Anatolia.”
A murmur ran through the room, and Talha raised his hand demanding silence.
“Talha, with all due respect, that’s my region,” The massive frame of Güvenç, the current leader of Southeast Anatolia, stood up, his face red. Hotheaded and short-tempered, he had been a great executer but proved a poor leader. Talha had considered transferring him for a long time. Now the opportunity had been provided for him.
“Was your region,” Talha corrected. “You are coming to Istanbul to take over Ejder’s duties.”
“Talha…”
“I’m afraid, this is not negotiable,” Talha added in a firm voice. “I have a specific task for you that no one else could complete with perfection. You are a military man. Leaving you in Mardin would be a waste of your talent. Your destiny isn’t drugs, it’s weapons, and you know it. You are bored in Mardin. You are not the lap dog your wife wants you to be. Form an army for me. A mercenary army with the best people. Train them. Make sure no one can best them. Can you do this?”
Güvenç wavered, messing his reddish bush of hair with thick, pink fingers. Talha knew exactly what the man was thinking. The drug business promised far more than a mercenary army could ever bring. Before the man was able to refuse, Talha added, “Of course, you will get Ejder’s share, plus thirty percent of the income the army provides. This isn’t really a choice, Güvenç. I need Ejder in Mardin, and I need someone here. I would prefer it to be you, but you can try to make a deal with Ejder to stay as second-in-command in Mardin. What will it be?”
Under the drilling attention of eleven men, Güvenç backed down. His face, now a lighter shade of pink, relaxed as he slumped back into his seat. It wasn’t a bad offer. Everyone knew it. Even if Ejder’s share was smaller than the current one Güvenç had, the Marmara region was more profitable, and with its ports and open water, held greater potential.
Catching the interested gazes from those who counted profit faster, Talha pressed, “What will it be, Güvenç?”
“At your command, Reis.” The man bowed his head.
“Great.” Talha smiled with his lips only. “Before we start with the updates, does anyone have questions?”
“What about Iblis?” Salik, the current leader of Sakarya Province, slurred. His thin upper lip curled up, hiding below his massive, beak-like nose, displayed pink gum with black holes where his front teeth had once been. “Is it true that you got him?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Talha saw Slater’s head snap to the side. His electric gaze burned through him, yet Talha refused to grant him his whole attention.
“We are negotiating,” Talha ducked the question, and a blinding smile split Slater’s face. Watching it morph into the arrogant grin, Talha clarified, “But I have yet to see his usefulness.”
“When will we get to meet that sick fuck?” Salik pressed.
“You won’t,” Talha deadpanned. “If things work out, Iblis will remain my personal asset, and I don’t see any reason to disclose his identity.”
Separating from the wall, Slater silently moved around the table giving each man a long, piercing stare. Dinçer’s neck strained. His dark eyes peering up at the reaper as his colorless lips hardened. Talha knew he was ready to pull his gun and shoot Slater.
Slater’s eyes heated with recognition as his gaze lingered over Dinçer.
“I know you,” the liquid voice stated, electrifying the atmosphere as their glares clashed.
At any other time, Talha would have let the situation escalate to see how far they would take it, but too many curious gazes were chained to Slater already.
Talha got up, tugging the blanket of attention back to himself. “Don’t interrupt. If you want to stay—be quiet.”
“Who is this?” Salik touched his nose with his index finger, keeping a suspicious eye on Slater.
“No one. Please ignore him.”
“No one, yet he is here, in a closed meeting, where he can see our faces.” Salik snorted and passed a knowing look to everyone around him. “He could testify.”
Talha almost rolled his eyes, but he understood the concern.
“Slater is my consultant, my protégé. He grew up in England and will be helping me develop a new channel. Now, once your curiosity is satisfied, let’s get to the point.”
