DAMIR
The late evening sun bled crimson across the cracked skyline of the city's abandoned industrial district. Shadows stretched like claws over rusted steel, painting the concrete in hues of warning.
Eli stood at the front steps, his delicate hands gripping the railing like he'd fall if he let go. His brows were drawn together, lips in a pout, eyes shimmering with the kind of sadness that could cave a man's soul. I cupped his cheeks gently, kissed his forehead, and whispered, "Two days, and I'll be back before you even miss me."
Lying. I hated it.
This wasn't a business trip to sign contracts or shake hands. This was an exchange. High-stakes. Covert. Dangerous.
And I didn't want Eli anywhere near it.
The car doors closed with a heavy thud that felt too final. Inside, I leaned against the tinted window, fingers tapping my thigh. My guard, Lan, sat beside me. Efficient. Loyal. Silent unless spoken to.
"What about the package?" I asked, voice low, eyes never leaving the dark blur of city streets.
"In the trunk. Triple-checked and verified this morning, boss," Lan said, not missing a beat.
"Once we get there, no hesitation," I instructed. "We drop, we take, we leave. No talk. No theatrics. No delays."
"Yes, sir."
The silence between us stretched. The longer we drove, the more the silence grew teeth. There was something crawling in my spine, a bad omen whispering through my veins, but I didn't give it power. Couldn't afford to.
Three hours. That's how long we drove through desolate highways, past blinking street lamps and into the decaying bones of the city's industrial wasteland. My phone buzzed once. A message from an anonymous burner number.
Dock 12. Come alone.
I didn't come alone. I wasn't stupid.
Dock 12 loomed like a grave. Cranes stood frozen, skeletal against the darkening sky. Metal containers were stacked like tombstones, and the water beyond shimmered black, reflecting nothing but dread.
"Lan," I murmured. "If they mess up, make sure to get bloody."
He nodded. The car came to a soft stop. Another black vehicle already waited ahead, headlights off, windows black. They were watching. Always watching.
I stepped out, the night wrapping around me like a cloak. Cigarette between my fingers, I walked into the lion's den.
A man stood beside the rival vehicle. Leonid. If the devil had a smile, it would look like his twisted, amused, laced with venom. His presence reeked of blood and perfume.
"Damir," he called out, arms open like an old friend. "Thought you'd bring more company. Or did you finally learn to trust me?"
"I wouldn't trust you with a broken matchstick," I muttered, flicking my lighter. "Let's get this over with."
He laughed. "Charming as ever."
With practiced ease, both our teams moved. His men approached our car while mine stepped to theirs. The object of our entire meeting? A sleek, reinforced case jet-black, temperature-controlled, containing a military grade communications scrambler designed to nullify satellite and drone signals. Not drugs. Not cash. Something far more valuable to the right enemies.
The case was carried to us, examined briefly. I gave a sharp nod.
"Alright. Our turn," I said.
Lan walked toward our car. Pulled the key. Pressed the button.
The trunk popped open.
And the night shattered.
Lan stumbled back, swearing under his breath. One of Leonid's men craned his neck to look, then halted like he'd seen a ghost.
I stepped forward.
Then everything inside me stopped.
There he was.
Eli.
Curled in the corner of the trunk, eyes shut, limbs limp, hoodie riding up his stomach, lips pale. Unmoving.
The world tilted. My breath seized. Time fractured.
"WHAT THE FUCK….!!!" I thundered, shoving past my men.
"Sir!" Lan called out, panicked.
My voice was a snarl, broken and feral. "Get BACK!"
I reached into the trunk with trembling hands, fingers fumbling under Eli's legs and back. He was light. Too fucking light. His skin was clammy. His hair damp with sweat.
How long had he been here? Three fucking hours? No airflow. No air. No space.
Leonid approached slowly. "You hiding corpses now, Damir?"
My glare could slice stone. "Shut the fuck up."
"I didn't know you started trafficking…."
"If you say one more word, I will shoot you in the fucking throat."
The tension snapped like a livewire. Guns were subtly drawn. Fingers hovered over triggers.
Eli stirred.
A soft, broken cough escaped his lips.
It was the most beautiful, terrifying sound I'd ever heard.
My knees almost gave. I crushed him to my chest, hand cradling his head, breathing in his scent…faint, faded, but still his.
"Lan! The car! NOW!"
He nodded, running. Doors slammed. Tires screeched.
I didn't look back. Didn't care about the deal anymore.
Leonid called out behind me, voice dripping with mockery. "Don't forget your toy, Damir! Might want to teach it not to play hide and seek next time!"
I ignored him.
I climbed into the back seat, Eli in my arms, and barked at the driver. "GO!"
Lan asked, "I got the case sir, what about the ledger…?"
I growled. "They can keep the fucking ledger."
Eli whimpered. I kissed his forehead, rage and guilt crawling through my veins like fire.
What if he'd suffocated? What if I hadn't opened the trunk in time? What if….
No.
I clenched my jaw.
No more secrets. No more risks. No more lies.
He was supposed to be safe. My home was supposed to protect him. And I failed.
As we drove under the cold eye of the moon, I held him tighter.