Glazov watched the progress of the coin as it eased its way smoothly between his cousin’s fingertips.

That damned coin.

Maybe Novak was right about his odd habit enhancing his manual dexterity and relieving stress. The rhythmic back-and-forth did seem oddly soothing on days like today. Sometimes Glazov wondered if he might find it helpful to try it himself as a stress relieving technique. But almost as fast, he would toss the idea aside, knowing he didn’t have the patience for it. Besides, he had the perfect stress reliever waiting for him in his bed every night…

“Have you heard from them?” Novak asked.

“Dmitriy has installed SatSleeves on their phones, which basically makes them satellite phones now. They’ll work no matter how deep in the jungle they are -- but, no, I haven’t heard from them yet. I suppose no news is good news. We knew the time in the jungle would probably be grueling, so we’ll give them a little time to do the initial footwork. They only got there yesterday. They’ll call when they can.” But the slight frown that knit his brow belied his confident tone.

Novak knew Glazov better than anyone, except perhaps Glazov’s wife, Kathleen. Few truly understood that still waters ran profoundly deep within the Pakhan, and that the same ferocity he brought to bear as a ruthless Bratva leader was also ever-present in matters of the heart. Nobody loved their children more than Alexander Glazov loved his own. His decision to send two of them and their spouses into the jungles of Colombia hadn’t been an easy one.

Novak felt the need to do what few could or would try to do: reassure his cousin that the two couples were well-equipped to take care of themselves. Doing this favor for the Colombians and bringing the canary diamond home safely should be well within their expertise. “They are well trained. Hell, they’re combat trained. They’re as deadly as you and me and every bit as tough as the Colombians. They’re going to come home safe and sound with that diamond and a ton of stories to tell. Of course, I think we’d all rather that the trip be nice and simple, but the hit for the Colombians will provide a strong underpinning for the ongoing peace between our groups. There’s no underestimating how important that could prove to be down the road. Kodiak and Logan wouldn’t have wanted you to send someone else; they’ll do what needs to be done.”

“I know they will.”

“What exactly do you plan to do with the diamond? I mean, I know it’ll be set in the brooch you’re giving to Kathleen, but why is it so important to you?”

Glazov’s eyes fell on the framed photograph of his wife that had pride of place on his desk. “Because it is the Firebird’s heart.”

The ringing of the phone caused both men’s insides to lurch. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, the sooner the group returned the better off everyone’s nerves would be.

With a grim glance at Novak, Glazov put the call on speaker. “Ricardo, what do you have for me? I assume you aren’t calling to talk about the weather.”

“There have been some developments.”

Glazov took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he swallowed back the bile in his throat and the fury that threatened to consume him. “I’m listening.”

“When Amicus abducted Amata Chavez and her brother Cesar, they weren’t just collateral damage. I’ve confirmed that the theft wasn’t a simple betrayal. As I suspected, his actions were driven by his obsession for Amata – an obsession he has harbored at a distance since she was fifteen.”

“Well, fuck…” Novak muttered, grimacing in response to Glazov’s pointed stare.

“Amicus has been in touch, probably in the hopes of improving his odds of survival,” Ricardo continued. “There have been some developments that are detrimental to our operation. It seems that the seeds of betrayal have found purchase within our own group. Two of the men escorting the group through the jungle, Lucca and Marco, have planted drugs in the emerald shipment. I’m guessing Lucca is the mastermind because Marco is too spineless of a man to do such a thing.”

“So, this Lucca thinks we’ll take the fall if the shipment doesn’t make it through? Motherfucker. And you trust this information? Why would Amicus give him up?”

“Redemption, perhaps? More likely, the woman. Yes, I believe him. And there’s something else. We have reason to believe the diamond has been located.”

“Where is it?” Glazov demanded.

“Lucca was next in the chain of custody for the diamond.”

“Who is this guy, some kind of double agent?” Novak sneered.

“Looks that way. Now, whether he still has it, we don’t know. But I think it’s closer than we thought. We need to get word to your people. You owe me nothing, Glazov, but I know you understand that I cannot tolerate this kind of rogue behavior. I need Lucca taken out and I view that as more pressing than our original plan, although I remain committed to finding Amata and her brother. I would be forever indebted.”

“Indebted to me.”

“To you. Of course,” Ricardo agreed, his voice serene as he acknowledged the obligation that he would be honor-bound to fulfill at a time of Glazov’s choosing. “It troubles me deeply that as you and I endeavor to take our respective organizations in a new, legitimate direction, someone is trying to set us up for drug distribution charges. This is serious, Glazov, gravely so. I’m still working out how to deal with the drugs. If the military gets involved, it’ll be a fucking mess. If your children are caught up in a drug bust down there, they would do hard time in a Colombian prison, and there would be little either of us could do about it. Jails down there aren’t like they are here. They would not survive. I apologize for this lack of discipline among the men I have entrusted with your loved ones’ lives.”

Glazov’s features might as well have been carved in granite. He dipped his chin and stared at Kathleen’s photo, as he often did when his thoughts took him to dark places. Remaining utterly still, he slowly lifted his eyes to his cousin in grim, silent communication. Silence reigned as he gathered his thoughts—and his composure.

“Ricardo. We have a long history, you and I. But the only reason I don’t have an assassin headed your way at this moment is that I still need your help to bring my children and their spouses home. But cooler heads must prevail. We don’t know if these traitors have inside ties with the government and are perhaps working together to set us up or not. The first thing we need to do is get rid of those fucking drugs, so time is of the utmost importance. I’m assuming it’s cocaine.”

“Yes,” Ricardo confirmed, his voice laced with disgust.

“Of course. Such pestilence, eating away at society. Well, I’m going to choose to view this as an opportunity to unite our organizations against a common enemy. Unless things go horribly wrong. I do hope you are prepared to assure me that you were not privy to this information when I sent my children and their spouses to Colombia.”

Novak straightened at the subtle shift in his cousin’s demeanor. Though his voice gave nothing away, Glazov’s eyes were alight with barely restrained malevolence.

“I am a lot of things, Glazov, but a liar has never been one of them,” Ricardo said stiffly. “I know how deeply a parent carries the love of their children in their heart. For that reason, I will tolerate you questioning my integrity, this one time. I would never subject an ally’s family to unnecessary danger.”

The atmosphere in the room crackled with barely leashed aggression. Glazov stared straight ahead, waiting for Ricardo’s voice to return to the line.

“I’m not a man given to apologies,” Ricardo said, his voice deceptively soft as he laid out the terms that he hoped would resolve their mutual concerns, “but I do regret this unforeseeable turn of events. I’m piecing together a plan to ensure the safe transport of your emeralds. Aurora would welcome the chance to help.”

Glazov chuckled. “She and Escondido still one-upping each other? Excellent.”

“That she is. If we can work that rivalry in our favor, I say, why not? As you know, Amata is half-Sinaloan. She has connections to Aurora, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Amata seeks her out for help. You and I have a long history and, God willing, it will continue. Let’s get your family out alive, bring that diamond back, and slaughter the bastards who have betrayed us. Neither you nor I have come this far, only to spend our golden years behind bars.”

After a long moment, Glazov leaned back in his seat, his forearms resting on the ornate wooden arms of the antique chair as he laughed out loud. “Golden years? I don’t know about you, but I’m just getting started. I prefer to think that we’re in our prime, Ricardo.”

Ricardo’s voice remained grave. “I assure you, the man responsible for this mess will pay with his life. Once again, I apologize for his actions.”

“Accepted. Now let’s get ahead of this before it gets out of control.” They discussed a few final details, then Glazov ended the call and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes on a deep breath.

Novak couldn’t stand the silence. “I don’t like this one fucking bit.”

“Nor do I. My children and their spouses are in danger, in someone else’s territory. The first thing we need to do is get word to them.”

“What time is it there now?”

Glazov opened his eyes to shoot a skeptical glance at his cousin. “Do I need to buy you a globe? Believe it or not, it’s the same time there that it is here.”

Glazov placed a call to Oleg, again pressing the ‘speaker’ button as he waited for his son-in-law to pick up.

“My Pakhan.”

“Oleg, go somewhere private. I want to bring you up to speed before you update the group.”

Oleg could feel his stomach drop. Something was wrong, very, very wrong.

“Of course.” Oleg held up a finger to stave off their questioning looks, then exited the tent. He walked to a secluded spot near the woods at the edge of the camp. “Okay, I’m here. What’s going on?”

“Ricardo tells me we’ve got trouble. He has reason to believe that someone has hidden a large amount of cocaine with the emeralds. Enough to guarantee a lengthy prison sentence if the drugs are discovered by the authorities. The son of a bitch who did it appears to think that if the drugs are intercepted by law enforcement, they’ll pin it on the Ramirez family and take us down with them.

“As much as I hate to admit it, it’s a smart plan” Glazov continued. “If he succeeds, he gets rich. If he doesn’t, he gets off scot-free. I want you all to check out two men there at the camp, Lucca and Marco. Be discreet. This is a delicate situation but it must be dealt with quickly. I don’t have to tell you that if the military or guerillas come in and find those drugs, it’s going to be a shitstorm.”

“Understood.”

“Unfortunately, this means we must broaden the scope of our group’s work in Colombia. Find the drugs, dispose of them, and then make certain those emeralds get out of the country. Also…we mustn’t forget about our Canary Chaos diamond.” At Novak’s arched brow, Glazov said in an aside, “She’s caused so many problems, I’ve decided she deserves a name.” Then, turning his attention back to his phone call, “Ricardo thinks Amicus may have handed off the canary diamond to Lucca to find a buyer, so it may be closer than we thought. Find it and get it out of there.”

“That’s interesting,” Oleg noted as he thought back to a previous conversation. “Logan noticed that Lucca seemed very protective of his backpack the other night, and that he and Marco appeared to be arguing about it. Today he guarded that backpack like his life depended on it. Wouldn’t let anyone near it.”

“Bingo. That could be our cue. You know what to do. As much as I hate to do it, I recommend putting Logan on this one. She can search a stranger’s pockets without them even knowing she’s there; I’m sure she can check a backpack without being caught. Ricardo is working behind the scenes on connections of his own. Apparently, Amata Chavez has connections to Aurora–”

“Escondido’s woman.”

“Ha! I wouldn’t recommend calling her that to her face, Oleg. She is a fiercely independent woman. It’s commonly accepted that they are involved, but they don’t discuss it openly. They may be occasional bedmates, but they remain vigorous business rivals. Ricardo suspects Amata may try to contact Aurora, either willingly or at the behest of Amicus. If she does, that could result in a more direct mode of transport for our emeralds and a quick disposition of the drugs. He’s putting plans in motion and I’m told that either he or Aurora will be providing backup within the next 24 hours. It all depends on Amata. If she gives a shit about her kidnapper, she may already have contacted Aurora.”

“You really think this girl will be concerned about her kidnapper’s welfare?” Oleg asked skeptically.

“It’s been known to happen,” Glazov said coolly. “That’s Ricardo’s problem. For now, I want Kodiak and Logan to take custody of that diamond. I want you and Roksana on call should Ricardo or Aurora need additional support. The cavalry’s coming, Oleg. Get my family and that diamond out of there before all hell breaks loose.”

“Will do. I’ll go let them know what’s going on.”

Oleg was used to things going FUBAR in his line of work. He just usually wasn’t in the middle of a jungle when the shit hit the fan. Maybe there was one silver lining to the situation: if they got out of this alive with all goals of the mission achieved, it would solidify peace with the Colombians. It would also give Glazov the upper hand in any future negotiations. There was little the Pakhan enjoyed more than having the upper hand.