Sharpest Edge: Mercenaries and Magic

by Alessa Thorn

  “Looks like you are having a party without me,” she said, waving her leather glove at the stack of wooden freight boxes. “Forget our little bargain so soon?”

  “How could we?” Athena asked, moving to stand beside Kon. She had her cold wolf stare on, and Iz tensed automatically.

  Athena only ever looked like that when she had murder on her mind. The way she was standing slightly in front of Kon told Iz she was ready to jump in to protect him. Iz grinned. Kon was the last person that needed protecting.

  “Indeed. And yet, if that was the case, that miscreant wouldn’t have been invited to view the collection before me,” Altun said, throwing a disgusted glare in Julian’s direction. The Butcher smiled and stalked over.

  “Hello, I don’t believe we have met,” he said, putting out a hand for hers. Altun looked down her nose at it and refused to take it.

  “Julian Burbank, meet Altun Baruk,” Kon said, eyes watching the exchange of the two brokers with amused interest.

  “Altun? Well, well. This is a surprise,” Julian said, scanning her shamelessly. “I always thought you were a man.”

  Altun smiled unpleasantly. “Maybe I am.”

  “Are you saying that because you think it will hinder my attraction? Jokes on you, Baruk. I go all the ways,” he replied with a wink. He gestured toward the collection. “See anything you like?”

  “Not yet, but I will. I get the first pick, as per my agreement. Perhaps you should leave and wait your turn like a good boy, hmm?” Altun pinched his cheek condescendingly before turning her back on him and walking over to study the contents of the wooden crates. She didn’t see the shark smile Julian gave her turned back.

  Iz shook her head. A fight loomed large on the horizon, and she didn’t want to be anywhere near when it came to a head.

  5

  Silas never thought he would see the day that he was pleased to have Altun Baruk turn up on Athena’s doorstep. He had heard so many stories about the woman in front of him, he was instantly put on edge.

  Worth it to get Julian’s attention off Izabella.

  Silas had hoped Dante had just been trying to stir him up when he carried on about Julian being all smiles around her. He should’ve known better.

  Julian had always been a flirt, but it was rare for him to be genuinely happy to see someone. Silas had known him long enough to spot the difference.

  Fuck, he hated watching Julian touch her when he couldn’t. He hated the smile she had given him even more. Altun’s arrival had been a godsend, so he didn’t do something ridiculous like knocking Julian out.

  Across the warehouse, Iz was smiling as the brokers sparred with each other. Julian seemed to delight in criticizing every item Altun picked up to study. He was messing with her like a cat did a mouse. Altun was no mouse, and she was ignoring him completely.

  Julian hated being ignored.

  “Think Daddy might have met his match,” Dante commented, sidling up beside him. “I’ve never seen someone so impervious to Julian’s charm…except you, maybe.”

  “Christ knows where he’s been, that’s why,” Silas replied.

  “Do you think we should maybe tell Athena to stand down? She’s watching Baruk like she’s choosing all the spots she’s going to stab her.”

  Silas’s grin came back. “Nah, I’m enjoying watching this show far too much.”

  “Come on, Altun, stop playing. You already know what you want,” Kon said impatiently.

  “I do, and yet, I don’t see it,” Altun replied, crossing her arms. “You’re holding items back.”

  Kon shrugged. “Tell me what it looks like. Maybe it’s been put into one of the other boxes.”

  “An obsidian mirror, nineteen centimeters in diameter. Ancient,” Altun said irritably before pressing her lips together. “I swear that son of a bitch had it.”

  Kon and Athena exchanged a glance, swapping silent messages. Of course, they had hidden all the good stuff away, though why anyone would want an obsidian mirror, Silas could only guess.

  “Let me check my office,” Kon said.

  “I’ll stay here, watch that she doesn’t pocket anything she shouldn’t,” Athena added.

  Altun waved a hand over her tight dress. “Do you see any pockets here, little wolf?”

  Athena smiled, showing too many teeth. “Still not gonna trust you, bitch.”

  “Do I need to get you a muzzle, pup?”

  “I’d love to see you get it on me.”

  “I’d pay to watch that,” Julian chuckled. They both looked at him in a way that shriveled the balls of every man in the room. Kon returned just in time, a polished box in his hand.

  “Is this what you’re looking for?” he asked, opening it and flashing the contents.

  Julian let out a low whistle. “John Dee’s obsidian mirror. I thought that was meant to be at the British Museum.”

  “They have an excellent replica.”

  “How do you know?”

  Altun held her hands out for the box. “Because I know the person who made it. Give it to me, Kon.”

  “I know what it does. Why do you need it so badly?” he asked softly.

  “None of your business. Now, give it over so I can confirm it’s real,” Altun pressed, eyes fixated on it. Kon relented, passing the box to her. Altun brushed her fingers over the polished surface, her eyes fluttering closed for a few seconds. She hissed and shut the box. “Thank you, I’ll take it.”

  Kon nodded. “I don’t suppose you see anything else you might like?”

  “In exchange for?”

  “Information on Gadal. Don’t pull that face at me. I know you know more than you let on,” he argued.

  “You are many things, Konstantius, but never a fool. Let your revenge die with Liddell. Don’t go down this path,” Altun said with a flash of genuine concern.

  “It’s not about my revenge. They want Athena.”

  Altun turned on her heel to look Athena over more carefully. “Why?”

  “That’s why we need Gadal,” Athena replied. “We need to find out.”

  Altun laughed. “You can’t take down the whole of Aurora by yourselves. It’s impossible.”

  “We don’t need to take out all of them. Just the ones who present a threat,” Silas replied, stepping up beside Athena and crossing his arms.

  “You took something that belonged to them, Mr. Edgeworth. You should have known it was going to have consequences,” Altun said, brows raised.

  “They are welcome to come and try to take it back,” he replied, letting death fill his eyes.

  Altun just shook her head and clutched the box to her chest. “My business is done here. Goodbye, Kon. Try not to die.” She was out of the door of the warehouse without a backward glance.

  “Any idea how we can get her to tell us what she really knows?” Silas asked, still staring at the closed door.

  “We just need to find something else that she wants as much as an obsidian mirror that can be used to contact the dead,” Julian replied. He rubbed his silver stubble. “Or we find something we can blackmail her with. Maybe Athena could stop calling her a bitch as a start.”

  “Maybe she can stop being one first,” Athena snapped. “Fuck, I need air.” She headed up the stairs to the roof.

  Silas looked sideways at Kon. “She’s going to kill Altun if she so much as messes with your hair. You know that, right?”

  “I know,” Kon said, face splitting into a wicked smile.

  Silas only shook his head. “You two have the weirdest foreplay.”

  “At least they are getting laid,” Julian quipped. Silas flipped him off, and the broker laughed. “Touchy old man. After seeing how many items you have here, Zalam, I think I will stay a few days in Istanbul and make a proper catalog and assessment of them. This situation is too hot for any of my underlings to handle.” He clapped Silas on the back. “I might have something in Athens for you. I’ll message you tonight.”

  “Thanks. I’d appreciate it,” Silas
replied. His eyes narrowed as Julian smiled at Izabella.

  “My love, let’s do dinner while I’m here,” he said, moving to kiss her cheek. “I owe you for Paris.”

  “I’m pretty sure you paid for Paris too,” Izabella replied with a laugh.

  He chucked her under the chin, and Silas’s vision blurred red. “And it was worth every penny, love. Bye, boys.”

  “You better calm down, boss. You’re turning purple,” Dante said, stepping in front of him to block Julian from his eyeline.

  “Going to find, Cub,” Silas muttered, jogging up the stairs before he really lost his shit.

  He was acting stupid. He knew it and still couldn’t stop the irrational jealousy pounding through him.

  Since when had Iz and Julian been together in Paris? And how did he not know about it? Had it been a job or something else? Fuck, he couldn’t think about it.

  Silas took in deep lungfuls of air when he got outside. Athena was sitting on a flat cushion, staring at the Bosphorus in the distance. She looked upset enough that Silas shoved aside his own bullshit and sat down beside her.

  “You okay, Cubbie?” he asked.

  Athena let out a sigh, and the frown between her brows eased. “Yeah. Altun just gets my hackles up, even if she’s right.”

  “Right about what?”

  “Why would they want me, Dad? I can’t do magic like Kon or anything. I’m just…me.”

  “You don’t know what you can do, Cub. I’m sure you’ll figure it out in your own time.” Silas nudged her gently. “Doesn’t really matter. It’s not going to stop us from finding the son of a bitch and shooting him, is it?”

  “Nah, I suppose not.” Athena grinned. “So what’s the deal with you wanting to get out of Istanbul?”

  Silas shrugged. “Just a bit restless and bored. You guys all have things you’re doing to find Gadal, and I’m just hanging about.”

  “You and Iz fighting about something?” she asked.

  “No, of course not. Izabella is…” Silas struggled. Beautiful. Perfect. Way too good for everyone, especially fucking Julian. He cleared his throat. “Izabella is great. Too great. She doesn’t deserve to have two hulking mercenaries around the house and under her feet all the time.”

  Athena shook her head. “Yeah, I’m sure she really hates seeing you walk about shirtless. I can tell by the way her eyes are always glued to your ass.”

  Silas laughed awkwardly to hide the blush that was creeping up his neck. He needed to change the subject. “So how’s married life treating you?”

  “Fuck off, Dad,” she replied, making him laugh.

  “He makes you happy, so I’m happy.”

  “Not for long,” Kon said, appearing so suddenly that Silas almost pulled a gun on him. “Have you told him yet?”

  “Told me what?”

  Athena shot Kon an irritated glare. “I have an idea on how to speed up the Gadal hunting. You’re not going to like it, and I’ll need your help.”

  “Spit it out, Cubbie. I ain’t got all day.”

  Athena slumped back on the pillows. “I want to go back…to Pokrovskoye.”

  “Absolutely fucking not,” Silas snapped before he could think.

  “Exactly what I said,” Kon replied, sitting down beside Athena.

  “You guys need to shut up and listen to me. Stop thinking about this emotionally like I had to,” she snapped. “If we go back, we might find some clue that can help us. Something that might jog my memory.”

  Silas had a flash of a mute, blood-stained girl, walking barefoot through the snow.

  “Athena, you don’t need to remember that fucking shit. You survived. That’s all that matters,” he said, swallowing the lump in his throat.

  Silas still had nightmares about what he had seen there, about the things he suspected she had done. He had chosen to love her anyway, the feral little wolf cub that was as broken as he was.

  He couldn’t drag her back into that past, not now when she had Kon and good things in her future that weren’t violence.

  “We can find Gadal another way,” he said, numbness filling his body.

  “Dad, I love you, but this is my choice. I need to know what happened to me,” Athena began. “I want you to come with me, but I’ll do it alone if I have to.”

  Silas got to his feet and ran his hands through his hair. This fucking day just kept kicking him in the balls. He knew arguing with her about it wouldn’t change her mind. Not much did once it was made up.

  His own fear for her was hitting him too hard, making him want to shout at her for being out of her mind. He needed to get out of there before he did just that.

  “Just let me think about it, okay?” he said. Fuck, he needed to hit something. “I’ll see you two later. There’s something I have to do.”

  “Dad—” Athena began, but Silas couldn’t stop. He climbed down the back stairs of the warehouse and got the fuck out of there.

  Back at the apartment in Laleli, Silas moved on autopilot, changing into workout gear and going up to the gym Kon had built in the apartment’s rooftop garden. He propped his saber next to the weights. He wasn’t calm enough to do drills yet. He needed to hurt. He turned to the dummy boxing stand in the shape of a man and drove his fist into its face.

  Silas didn’t want to think; he just wanted to hit the dummy and the bag until everything went quiet. His brain couldn’t stop turning over what Athena had suggested, the previous night with Izabella on the couch…the way she had laughed and blushed for Julian.

  It turned his stomach and made his vision haze. Fuck, he hated this feeling. Only Izabella could twist him up that much.

  Silas had tried to get her out of his system over the years. It was how he had ended up in the bed of his client’s gorgeous wife in Mexico. She had been lonely and had flirted outrageously while he had acted as her bodyguard.

  Her husband was a gun runner and had been out of the country. She had similar dark wavy hair and brown curvy body as Izabella.

  Silas thought it was just an itch he needed to scratch. That he had a type he was attracted to. The sex had been fine. She had been grateful to get off and kept it between them. It had just made Silas feel hollower. He knew then what he was feeling was more than an itch.

  He had never been able to do relationships, hadn’t even bothered after Athena had come along.

  Raising her made up for the horror he had committed in the name of Queen and country. He may have become a mercenary, but he had standards that the army never did.

  He had been more than happy and content with his life. Everything had been fine.

  Then came Izabella Silversmith, dying in a room in Minsk, and it was like something snapped in his brain, and it had decided that it wanted her. She was a banged-up junkie mess, and his first fucking thought had been: ‘There you are. I finally found you.’

  Fuck, he had been pathetic. It had worried him enough that he had helped fix her up and then didn’t ask her to stay when she was well again.

  Silas had wanted to. The words had been on the tip of his tongue. He hadn’t wanted her to feel obligated to stay, though, and she had said more than once how much she owed him for pulling her out of that mess. She didn’t owe him shit. He had wanted to take care of her then. He still wanted to take care of her now. And he was still pathetic around her.

  Seeing her in her kimono in the morning, hair bundled up and tousled from sleep, made him want to bang his head against the nearest surface.

  Silas hit the bag until his knuckles were busted, and his body was dripping sweat. He caught his breath, lungs and chest working hard.

  Cold shower, that’s what you need. Shock your system and stop being stupid.

  The apartment was silent. Athena must have been keeping Dante and Izabella busy at the warehouse so they would give him space. Cub knew when he needed it, and the conversation on the roof had triggered the both of them.

  Silas showered with straight cold water, holding his body under the freezing spray unti
l he adjusted to it. His busted knuckles stung, and he cursed himself for being too pissed to even strap them. He hadn’t yelled at Athena or Izabella or punched Julian in his smiling face. He took it as a win.

  Silas turned off the taps and dried off. His phone buzzed from the pocket of his joggers on the floor, and he pulled it out to read the message from Julian.

  Delivery for Athens will be a go at 5 a.m. Still interested?

  Yes. I’ll be there.

  Put in a good word for me with Iz, and I’ll double your rate. She gets more beautiful every time I see her.

  Go find a dick to suck, asshole.

  Julian sent a line of laughing faces, eggplants, and wet splashes emojis. Silas pushed his hands through his damp hair, the desire to punch one of his oldest friends coming back to him. He was right, and that was the reason Silas was so angry.

  Izabella was relentlessly beautiful, to the point that he just wanted to stare at her like a creeper. Not even touch her. Just stare at her as much as he wanted.

  She just had to be brilliant and funny on top of it. She was magic in every sense of the word.

  Silas took his dick in his hand without even thinking about it. Working out hadn’t gotten rid of the pent-up anger inside of him. Maybe getting off would. He was still wet enough from the shower that his skin was slick, so he ran his hand over himself again.

  Silas’s imagination bombarded him with enough images of Izabella in her soft sleep shorts and gorgeous breasts under that tight singlet that he soon had pre-cum leaking out of his tip.

  He had wanted to pull down those tiny shorts, bend her over the kitchen counter, and eat her for breakfast. He bit his lip, holding back a groan as he worked his shaft, wondering what she tasted like…

  The door to the bathroom swung open, and there she was. Izabella froze, staring at him with wide eyes, her full lips parted in surprise. She didn’t say anything, didn’t move, just stared.

  Silas was too far gone to think about stopping. She was looking at his dick, his body, eyes turning dark with lust. Lust for him.

  She didn’t tell him to stop, and he didn’t ask her to leave. Silas gripped himself harder, working his dick as he stared at her like he always wanted to.