Page 64 of Rebel
“Who has him?”Charming asked, cutting through the bullshit.
The emissary’s mouth curved into what might have been a smile on anyone else.On him, it looked like a warning.
“The Albanians.Specifically, Besnik Vata’s crew.The Moretti family handed him off within twenty-four hours of sending you that finger.”
Charming didn’t react, but his fingers stopped their tapping.I had no idea who Besnik Vata was, but the stillness that fell over the room told me everything I needed to know.
“That makes things complicated,” Charming finally said.
“Yes.”The emissary leaned forward.“But not impossible.We have mutual interests regarding Vata.”
“Which means you want something.”Charming’s voice had hardened.“Spit it out.”
The Bratva man’s eyes flicked to me for the first time since he’d entered the room.I stared back, refusing to look away first.After a moment, he turned back to Charming.
“We need specific skills for this extraction.The location is… challenging.”
“You need Devil’s Boneyard muscle,” Charming translated.
“We need Ripper and Samurai.”
The name sent a chill through me.Samurai.I’d seen him around, always quiet, always watching.There was something in his eyes that told you he’d seen hell and brought some back with him.And Ripper… even the club members spoke his name differently.
“You’re asking a lot,” Charming said, his voice even.
“We’re offering a lot.Your brother, alive.”The emissary’s eyes narrowed.“Vata doesn’t typically return his hostages in one piece.”
My stomach turned.I’d only met Java twice, but he had kind eyes and an easy laugh.The thought of him in the hands of someone who’d make the Bratva send an emissary made my throat tight.
Charming took a measured sip of his whiskey.“What’s your stake in this?Bratva doesn’t do charity work.”
“Vata has something that belongs to us.Something valuable.”The emissary’s face remained expressionless.“The operation to recover your brother would create… an opportunity for us to recover our property as well.”
“A two-for-one deal,” Charming said.
“Precisely.”
The music from the main room swelled as someone opened the door to the hallway.The bass thumped, a counterpoint to my heartbeat.I could hear laughter, glasses clinking, the sounds of normal life while in here, we discussed what sounded like a suicide mission.
“Why Ripper and Samurai specifically?”Charming asked, his eyes never leaving the emissary’s face.
The man gave another non-smile.“Ripper because he can get into places others can’t.And Samurai because of his past.Did I mention Vata has also started trading in boys?”
I frowned.What did that have to do with Samurai’s past?
“Samurai’s not as active in missions anymore,” Charming said.“He has a family now.”
“We are aware.But…” The emissary shrugged slightly.“Of course, if you prefer to leave your brother with Vata, we understand.Family obligations can be complicated.”
The bastard was playing Charming, and we all knew it.But that didn’t make the play any less effective.
Charming’s jaw tightened.“When would this happen?”
“Three days from now.The location requires careful timing.Tides.Guard rotations.”The emissary reached inside his jacket, causing Gator to tense, but he only removed a small flash drive.“All details are here.I suggest you review them quickly.”
“And if I refuse?”Charming asked, though we all knew he wouldn’t.
The emissary stood.“Then we pursue our own interests alone, and you continue searching for your brother with the same success you’ve had for the past ten days.”He straightened his perfectly tailored jacket.“Which is to say, none at all.”
