Page 164 of Royal Rebel

Desfan shrugged, still grinning.

A shadow moved outside the window as a man stepped up to the door. Three short taps; the signal that Fang was in place.

Karim looked down at Razan, but before he could speak, she laid a finger over his lips. “No,” she whispered. “We do this together, as planned.”

He frowned.

She dropped her hand and rose on her toes to place a quick kiss at one downturned corner of his mouth. “I love you, Karim Safar,” she said with a gentle smile. “Every overprotective, loyal, aggravating part of you.”

Karim made a sound in his throat. Desfan wondered if he would have said something if they’d been alone, or at least not about to meet a drug master at midnight.

As it was, Karim leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Just stay close to me,” he said, before grasping her hand and tugging her toward the door.

The alley was dark and Fang wasn’t alone. Two large guards flanked him, and all three men looked surprisingly nervous.

Desfan strode forward with confidence. “Hello, Fang. I’m surprised you reached out, considering our history.”

Fang’s jaw tightened. “Believe me, I had no other choice.”

Desfan stopped several paces away as Karim had previously ordered. His best friend was on his right, and Razan was on his left.

Fang glanced at Razan. “Serai Krayt; I wasn’t sure if you’d come.”

“I was too curious to stay away,” she said, her tone perfectly controlled, betraying no unease. “Why did you write to me?”

“I needed to make sure the serjan got my message,” Fang said. “And I asked you to accompany him, because I’d like a witness to this—one who isn’t the serjan’s bodyguard.” He glanced at Karim’s stony expression, then focused back on Razan. “I chose you because I’ve heard good things about your character. And I knew your uncle, Gaizl.”

Razan’s smile turned sharp. “I hate my uncle.”

The corner of Fang’s mouth rose. “So do I. Since everyone knows you helped get him thrown in prison, I figured you and I might see eye-to-eye on other matters as well.”

“What matters?” Desfan asked Fang.

The man crossed his arms over his chest. “I would like to state, in front of our witness, that I have not been guilty of any crime, so this isn’t a confession. You’ve caught me in nothing.”

Desfan sighed, exaggerating the sound. “Yes, we all know you’re a criminal, but we’re not here tonight to judge. Is that the assurance you’re looking for?”

Karim sent him a look that clearly said,Do you really need to aggravate him?

Desfan flashed his friend a smile.

Karim’s sigh was unfeigned.

Fang didn’t seem to even notice their exchange. “I know you have men asking more questions about the olcain in Duvan. I can assure you that the market is still here, even though Jamal is gone.”

Omar Jamal was a former member of the council who had turned into a drug master for the coin. Desfan’s eyes narrowed. “Are you now admitting to being involved in the olcain trade?”

“No.”

When he didn’t elaborate, Desfan lifted one eyebrow. “Why don’t we bypass the show of reticence and get to the point of this meeting?”

Fang glanced at his men, then sighed. “I’ve come to you for aid and protection.”

Desfan lifted both brows. “Do go on.”

The man gritted his teeth. “I run a profitable business. I know what is within my capabilities and what is not. I have been very careful to avoid too many entanglements with the olcain trade, so I thought I was far removed from the entire venture. A few days ago, I received a summons I couldn’t refuse.” His jaw was clenched so tightly, a muscle ticked. “They took my daughter, her husband, and their infant boy—my grandson.”

Desfan’s spine stiffened. He’d met Fang’s daughter during his more rebellious phase. When he thought of Ayma, he pictured a pretty girl with large eyes and an easy smile. Even though she’d had no part in her father’s illegal enterprises, she’d been dangerous to Desfan by mere association. That had been an intoxicating draw for him, back then. Fang had caught them once, kissing in her bedroom.

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