Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Devil In A Suit: Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 180

Third POVThe black sedan glided through the dimly lit city streets, its tinted windows a mirror against the purple-orange glow of the setting sun. Inside, Cassiel remained silent, his knuckles resting against his knees, eyes piercing through the windshield into a future that seemed more uncertain by the hour. His mind kept replaying the moment in Greece — the face, the silhouette — a face that should be gone from this world.“It’s nearly time.” Enzo said quietly from the driver’s seat. His knuckles were knobby against the leather, his grip firm, unfaltering. There were a few transactions left to complete, a handful of crates waiting to be handed off to their buyer. Whatever doubts gnawed at their souls, the business remained, a restless giant that demanded their attention.Cassiel nodded once — a small, nearly imperceptible movement — a silent acknowledgement. His phone buzzed against his thigh. He glanced at the screen briefly, then pressed it against his ear. “Confirm

Third POVCassiel remained stunned, his head turned to the side, a red mark blooming across his cheek. His piercing green eyes glimmered with a mixture of shock, shame, and a strange softness — a vulnerable side to him that few were allowed to see.“For all your promises… this is what you’ve done.” Julian said quietly, his voice breaking on the last few words.He turned and walked away, phone dangling at his side. His shoulder struck the corner of a side-table, nearly sending a vase crashing to the floor, but he kept going — up the stairs, back toward their room — without a backward glance.Behind him, Cassiel remained there in the dimly lit living room, alone, face stinging from the slap — not physically, but emotionally. His knuckles tightened. His normally composed demeanor seemed to tremble under the weight of what just happened.He pressed a shaky hand against his face, trying to gather himself, trying to find the words — or the actions — that might redeem h

Third POVFlashbackThe icy morning air cut through the wooden slats of the soldiers’ quarters, freezing everything it passed — from the mattress that barely kept a young soldier off the freezing ground to the sparse rations divided amongst the boys. The camp was a barren place, a purgatory for children destined to become soldiers, not children destined to grow up safely in loving homes.Cassiel pressed himself against the corner of his cot, trying to stay small, trying not to draw the attention of the other boys who seemed to take a particular pleasure in making him suffer. His knuckles were raw from falling repeatedly, his knees were scraped, and his stomach ached from hunger. Whatever meager provisions were given to him were stolen nearly the moment delivery fell into his hands.This morning was no different. His bread, a hard, small piece meant to sustain him through the day’s training, was snatched away by a taller boy with piercing blue eyes and a sneer that se

Third POVThe skies over southern Rome were an ominous shade of gray, like a warning written across the heavens. The black SUV tore through the highway with its windows tinted, its tires slicing through the wind. Inside sat the trio—Cassiel, Enzo, and Emiliano.“Two million euros' worth of arms,” Emiliano said coldly, his gaze fixed on the map in his hand. “That’s what they took from me. From us.”He flicked the paper shut, lips curling.“And now, they’re holed up in an abandoned outpost near the Sicily border, thinking I’ll let it go.”Cassiel sat quietly, his fingers tapping against his thigh. He hadn’t spoken much since the last mission. Since the shot.Enzo leaned back with one arm over the door, watching Emiliano through the rearview mirror. “What’s the play?”“We retrieve the weapons. Kill everyone breathing. Burn the place down.”Cassiel finally looked up. “Anyone we should keep alive for questioning?”“No one,” Emiliano replied smoothly. “

Third POVMiss Maria burst into the room, her breath hitching, eyes wide with panic. She dropped to her knees with a thud, palms hitting the polished floor.“Julian—he’s leaving! He’s packed up and he’s leaving the mansion!”Cassiel jolted upright from where he was seated, his heart slamming against his ribcage. Enzo stood frozen for half a second before darting out without a word.“Julian!” Enzo’s voice rang through the hall as he sprinted down the curved staircase, taking two steps at a time. “Julian, wait!”Julian was already at the entrance, one suitcase in his hand, the other being dragged by Lucian who looked more conflicted than usual.“Julian, stop!” Enzo yelled, grabbing onto Julian’s wrist. “Please, don’t do this.”Julian snatched his hand back like it burned. His eyes were red, but there was no softness in them. Just cold, cutting betrayal. “Don’t touch me.”“Please, Julian,” Enzo begged, “this isn’t what it looks like. You need to give Cas