Page 146 of Vendetta Crown

Haidan approaches with measured steps.

"Dragunov," he says with a slight nod when he stands in front of me. "Impressive turnout."

"What brings you here, Haidan?" I keep my voice level, courteous but cold. "I don't recall asking for an audience."

Sun's eyes flick to Aurora, and something dangerously close to appreciation crosses his face.

"Then why have theVoribeen killing so many of our men this past week?"

"Haven't you noticed, Haidan?" I ask darkly. "We're at war. And I believe it wasyourDragon Lord who struck first when he sent his men to kill me at my home."

Haidan cocks his head. "My Dragon Lord has recognized that decision may have been a mistake."

I don't blink.

"A mistake?" I repeat, letting the word hang between us.

"Whatever war you think you're fighting, Dragunov. It's ultimately one among you Russians." He straightens his cuffs, a nervous tic that betrays his carefully maintained composure. "An internal affair that doesn't concern the Triads."

"Doesn't concern you?" I laugh darkly. "You've stood by Semyon's side this whole fucking time. And now that I'm dropping bodies, you tell me this doesn't concern you?"

Haidan doesn't disagree. "An agreement was made with Semyon Mikonov. And my Dragon Lord was obligated to follow through with his commitments."

I notice how he uses past tense. "Was?"

"The agreement came to an end when Semyon sanctioned the brutal murder of his own niece in my Dragon Lord's house." His face darkens with genuine disgust. "By a man the Triads have no interest in working with."

Haidan's lip thins when I don't respond.

"We are businessmen," he says. "Not psychopaths. We don't torture women to send messages. And we don't allow outsiders to use our territory for personal vendettas. For those reasons, my Dragon Lord has abrogated his agreement with Semyon. This is your one and only warning to call off your attacks against us. If you do not, then we will fight this to the bitter end."

Aurora's hand slips into mine, squeezing tightly.

"Is there any proof or assurance you can provide?" I ask, keeping my voice steady despite the tension coiling through my body. "Words from a Triad Marshal don't hold much weight after what's happened."

Haidan's expression shifts, something almost like respect flickering in his eyes.

"Semyon and his American associate are planning an attack tonight." He lowers his voice. "They've planted bombs throughout the theater."

Aurora's grip on my hand tightens painfully. I don't react, keeping my gaze locked on Haidan.

"As a show of good faith, I have the codes to defuse them before they go off." He pulls a small device from his pocket. "Consider it a peace offering."

"How long before they detonate?" I demand, already calculating how many men I need to sweep the building.

"One hour."

My jaw clenches. "And how do I know this isn't a trap to pull away my men? Leave us vulnerable?"

Haidan shrugs, a strangely human gesture for a man with so much blood on his hands. "You don't know. You have to take a leap of faith, Dragunov."

Aurora squeezes my hand again, and Haidan notices the gesture. His eyes flick between us, lingering momentarily on Aurora's pregnant belly.

"Listen to your wife," he says softly. "Put out a temporary ceasefire order for the next seven days. If you do so, I'll hand over the codes."

I feel Aurora's presence beside me like a physical force—steady, unwavering. For a moment, it's just the three of us in a bubble of tense silence while the crowd behind us continues to mill about, oblivious to the deadly negotiation happening in plain sight.

"Seven days," I repeat, calculating rapidly. "And you expect me to believe the Triads will honor this?"

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