Semua Bab The Capo's Devotion: Own by the Don: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The First CrackThe black Mercedes rolled through the iron gates precisely at seven in the evening, its headlights swept through the rain-soaked courtyard before the engine fell silent. Henri moved first, opening the rear door with practiced precision.Mayor François Lambert emerged from a large black umbrella. He wore his public smile effortlessly, the same reassuring face that had carried him through elections, charity galas, and television interviews. To Brussels, he was a respectable statesman, but to Lucien, he was another piece on the board."Welcome, Monsieur Mayor," Henri greeted. Lambert nodded politely. "Lucien always chooses dramatic weather for our meetings." He said, and Henri merely smiled."This way." Inside the mansion, warmth replaced the evening chill, fire crackled inside the grand fireplace and glasses sparkled inside golden chandeliers. Classical music drifts through hidden speakers, masking every conversation beyond the room.Lucien stood waiting beside the firep

Whispers Behind Closed DoorsThe room fell into a silence so complete that even the ticking of the antique clock seemed louder than before.Alexei stared at Arjun, unable to tear his eyes away. "The Cham... remembers?" He asked. Arjun nodded once. "That is what my grandfather believed, he used to say no one truly owns the Cham. And every bearer merely borrows it."Alexei sat up and looked at the ring lying on the table. "It showed me strangers?" He asked. "It will, they weren't speaking any language I know, because they may have lived centuries before either of us."A chill crawled deep inside Alexei's skin.He had expected danger, he had expected power but he had not expected history. Arjun walked to the window before continuing. "My grandfather spent years searching old monasteries, forgotten libraries, and private collections across India, Persia, and Eastern Europe.""He found proof?" Alexei asked. "He found fragments." Alexei nodded and listened attentively. "Different names, dif

No one spoke for a few seconds. The only sound inside Lucien's study was the rain striking the tall windows. Mayor François Lambert sat frozen, his breathing uneven.His own confession seemed to terrify him more than anyone else in the room. "I..." he whispered, pressing trembling fingers against his lips. "Why did I say that?"Lucien leaned back, masking the triumph surging through him. "You've had a difficult few months, François, perhaps carrying secrets has become exhausting." The mayor swallowed. "No... no one knows about those accounts." His eyes darted around the room before settling on Alexei once again, the instant their eyes met, another warm pulse flowed through the Cham. And Alexei immediately looked down.He didn't want this, but the damage had already begun. Lambert let out a slow breath. "I've lied to everyone. My wife... my party... even the men who helped me build the network." His voice became distant, almost dreamlike. "Sometimes I wake up afraid someone will disco

The room remained unnaturally quiet. Henri hurried to clean the shattered porcelain, apologizing repeatedly, but Inspector Pieter Dijk seemed no longer interested in the broken cup. But his attention had returned to Alexei.Not with affection, not with fascination but with suspicion. Arjun noticed it immediately. This was different from Mayor Lambert, because Lambert had looked at Alexei as though seeing an old friend and Dijk looked at him as though trying to solve a puzzle.Lucien continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. "The Antwerp shipments have increased over the past six months." Inspector Dijk nodded, though his eyes occasionally drifted back to Alexei."You seem unusually well informed." Lucien smiled. "I pay people to notice what others ignore." The inspector accepted the answer, but something in his eye remained unsettled. Alexei kept his eyes lowered, the Cham rested against his finger, strangely cool now.Its warmth had vanished the moment it touched Dijk, a

Arjun's past had finally entered the room.Lucien stared at the photograph, but he didn't touch it and he didn't need to.The faded faces were enough. Four young men stood outside an old stone monastery, their clothes belonged to another time, but one face was impossible to mistake. Which was Arjun.Much younger, and much harder. And standing beside him was a man wearing the Cham. Lucien lifted his eyes.Arjun had not moved."Explain."The old soldier remained silent, and Lucien's voice hardened. "Now." The priest watched them both.His face still remained calm, almost too calm. Arjun finally stepped away from the window. "That photograph should have been destroyed."The priest shook his head. "It was never meant to be destroyed." Arjun looked at him. "Then why bring it here?""Because the keeper has awakened." Lucien's jaw tightened. "Alexei?" The priest's eyes shifted to the ceiling."He is here."Lucien said nothing, but the priest continued. "I can feel the Cham." Arjun's mood cha