Page 62 of Warlord’s Empire

Radik glanced at Nuani, a relaxed smile stretching his lips. “Indeed, he performed well in Taiwan and was promoted to the rank of my second for his work there. You are correct, Nuani is far from harmless, but it’s only the two of us out here.” His gaze met Jozef’s. “I give you my word.”

Jozef kept his gun trained on Radik, his eyes flickering briefly to Havel, who dutifully spoke for his boss. “Your word means nothing to us.”

Radik nodded, retaining his air of authority as he spoke directly to Jozef. “Of course, we do not know each other well enough to trust words. Perhaps you will not believe me, but I keep my promises and I have promised your cousin that I will not harm you.”

Just then a voice buzzed in Havel’s ear. It was their scout who’d been listening through his earpiece. “As far as I can tell, he’s telling the truth. There’s no one else with him.”

When Jozef relaxed his stance, Havel did as well, followed by the rest of their team. While Havel continued to hold his AR15, Jozef moved his so his hands were free.

You dare to speak to me of my cousin? His signs were fast and efficient. Why have you come to meet us? What is your endgame? His hand dropped to his weapon once he finished.

Havel wanted to demand to know where the women were but stuck to translating what Jozef had said. There was the possibility the women hadn’t made it to Radik’s compound yet and Havel didn’t want to tip him off that they might be in the area.

“I have come to meet you because it’s less dangerous to you than allowing you to approach my territory. My people are highly trained and suspicious of anyone who nears our outpost. They will shoot you if you are armed.” His face hardened. “You will be welcome in my territory once you disarm.” He looked at the men surrounding Jozef and Havel. “All of you.”

Havel’s fingers twitched on his weapon.

That won’t be necessary, Jozef signed. You will hand over my cousin and we will leave. There is no need for us to enter your territory.

Radik’s tone cooled. “You’re already in my territory. As for your cousin, you left her to fend for herself in Pretoria. Where were your people? Why didn’t you defend her?”

Havel was beginning to sweat profusely and not because of the tension in the air caused by two extremely violent men taking verbal shots at each other. The morning sun climbing higher in the sky beat down on them with merciless intent, the humidity rolling off a nearby river only intensifying the heat. If they stood there much longer, Havel was going to hand over his gun and go with Radik just to get some shelter.

You dare to chastise me over my treatment of my family? Jozef signed furiously, his face reddening. My family is my business. I will not listen to criticism from a man who sent his sister halfway around the world to fend for herself.

Havel raised an eyebrow at Jozef’s half-truth. Radik had sent his sister away to protect her, never imagining she would fall in with the Koba family mercenary business. It was what had started this whole mess.

Radik’s expression grew angry and his hand twitched as though he wanted to reach for a weapon. “I’m willing to forgive your business with my sister and move past it, but if you insist on using her in your argument, you and I will have a problem.”

Fuck, Havel was going to have to play peacemaker, his least favourite task. He was a man of war, not a man of words, but these two were going to force him to be the reasonable one. Clearing his throat to draw their attention, he said, “I don’t know about you boys, but my balls are boiling. Should we take this conversation somewhere cooler?”

Jozef looked around as though searching for a building before raising his eyebrows at Havel as if to say, where exactly do you suggest we go.

“Back to his place,” Havel said, knowing his boss wasn’t going to like it. Jozef did not place himself in the territory of another unless he had guarantees of friendship. “We either stay out here and die in the sun, continue our trek and get shot by his people as we approach his compound, or we go with him and trust he won’t kill us.”

Why should I trust him? The words were spoken to Havel, but it was Radik who answered.

“You’ll want to collect your women, I assume?” When Jozef lifted his gun, Radik added. “They’re safe and well cared for.”

Havel’s blood began to boil. “You captured our wives.”

Radik’s lips stretched into a genuine smile. “Hardly. My sister is always welcome as are Saskia’s family.” His eyes met Havel’s. “You really should be using them more in your business. They tracked down Saskia’s whereabouts and arrived several hours before you.” His eyes held a teasing glint. “It seems to me you found me by following them rather than learning my whereabouts yourselves.”

Havel looked at Jozef who seemed to capitulate, his face growing weary and his shoulders relaxing. Is my wife unharmed? It spoke to his level of worry over Shuan’s safety that he would drop his guard enough to ask the question.

“Dr. Koba has only mild scratching and bruising to her face and limbs, she will heal quickly.” His eyes slid to Havel who wanted to ask the question as well but didn’t want to diminish his wife’s ability to take care of herself. “Leeza Koba is safe and unharmed, as is my sister. All three are sleeping off their arduous travels in my home. If you will come with me, I can take you to them.” He gestured at the truck. “I didn’t want to cause alarm and only brought one vehicle. We can send more to pick up the rest of your people.”

Jozef hesitated and Havel understood. It went against the grain to accept transport from an avowed enemy. You are aware of my Bratva affiliations. If any harm falls to me or mine while under your custody, the might of Russia and beyond will come down upon you. No one you love will be safe.

Rather than take offence, Radik nodded benignly. “The only two people on this planet I love are also yours. As long as you don’t harm them, I can promise that you and anyone connected to you will be safe in my home.”

It struck Havel as sad that there were only two people Radik loved. Ayaan and Saskia. His must be a lonely existence.

As if catching his thoughts, Radik said, “Love creates weakness. We all learned this when were old enough to pick up our first weapon.”

Havel nodded gravely. It was true. Love gave a man something to lose, but it also gave him something to fight for. Something the three of them now had in common.

We will come with you, Jozef signed, turning to the rest of their men to tell them to wait for the next vehicle.