The convoy of three black vehicles moved steadily down the avenue—
But inside the central car, time seemed to flow differently.
Eric kept his eyes on the city outside, but his attention was elsewhere—
On Emir Kaya's men seated in front of him.
He didn't like it.
Using them again was a risk.
Since the last negotiation, something had changed.
Longer stares.
Heavier silences.
Veiled questions.
Eric had the growing sense that a trap was being prepared—
Maybe not now.
But soon.
The problem was simple:
The mysterious buyer hadn't given him time to arrange alternative security.
The meeting had been scheduled with urgency.
Going alone would be stupid.
It could easily be an ambush.
At least with Emir's men—
There was enough force to discourage immediate betrayal.
Beside him, Elena Lin also seemed uneasy.
She held her phone tightly, as if it anchored her to reality.
"I don't like this," she murmured, eyes fixed on the street.
Eric gave a small nod.
Neither did he.
When the vehicles passed through the hotel gates, everything changed.
Polished white marble.
Tall mirrors.
Crystal chandeliers scattering golden light across the space.
Staff in perfect uniforms bowing in formal greeting.
Eric almost smiled.
For someone aiming for discretion—
This place was anything but.
"I think we failed the discretion part," he muttered.
Elena shot him a look.
Focus.
The black cases were unloaded by the mercenaries.
Officially, they contained telecommunications equipment for foreign investors.
That was the story given to Emir's men.
Simple.
Believable.
Not worth questioning—
For now.
When they entered the private meeting room, the first impact wasn't the luxury—
Though it was everywhere—
But the man standing at the head of the table.
"I am Prince Amir," he said calmly.
Shock.
Immediate.
Eric felt something cold pass through his chest—
But kept his face neutral.
Elena glanced at him quickly, silently saying:
This wasn't part of the plan.
"The buyer introduced himself as a foreign businessman," she whispered in Portuguese.
This changed everything.
A prince.
The risk level had just escalated.
Eric felt suspicion—
But also understood something important:
Men at that level didn't show up in person for small deals.
If he was here—
There was real interest.
The prince remained seated after introducing himself.
At his side, an elegant subordinate handled translation—
Though Amir clearly understood more than he let on.
The cases were opened.
The gold—
Transformed the room.
His men began counting.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Physical.
Across the room, Emir's men watched closely.
Tension rising.
Two trained groups.
Both used to violence.
Measuring each other—
Without words.
"Nine hundred ninety-six," the counter announced.
The air tightened.
Eric felt his stomach drop.
How did I miss that?
He had prepared one thousand coins.
He was sure of it.
The idea of making such a basic mistake irritated him deeply.
For a brief moment—
He almost lost control of his expression.
The prince looked up.
"Four are missing."
Silence.
Sharp.
Cutting.
Eric moved his hand to his pocket with practiced calm.
Inside—
He activated the Dimensional Vault.
A small blue opening appeared—
Invisible to everyone else.
His fingers passed through empty space—
And touched cold metal.
Four coins.
He took them.
Closed the vault.
Removed his hand—
And placed the coins on the table.
As if it had always been planned.
"Logistical adjustment," he said calmly.
Inside—
He was furious with himself.
The prince's men exchanged suspicious glances.
This could be seen as disorganization.
Or disrespect.
But Amir—
Laughed.
A short, unexpected laugh.
"I like men who keep reserves," he said.
One of his advisors examined a coin closely.
"They all have an X engraved."
Amir held one up to the light.
"Why?"
Eric met his gaze.
"I don't know. The supplier didn't explain."
Not a lie.
At that exact moment, one of Emir's men received a discreet call.
On the other end, a subordinate was reporting everything to Emir Kaya:
A thousand gold coins.
Delivered—
To a prince.
Emir remained silent.
"Observe everything," he ordered. "I want details."
Back in the room, the atmosphere stabilized.
The transfer of 450,000 euros was confirmed.
Eric already knew the number—
But hearing it made it real.
"We will do business again," Amir said.
He didn't stand.
Instead, his subordinate stepped forward—
The same one handling translation.
He extended his hand.
Eric shook it.
The deal was sealed.
"How will we stay in contact?" the subordinate asked.
Eric looked at Elena.
"Through her."
Elena felt the weight instantly.
Her face warmed slightly—
But she maintained composure.
The subordinate translated.
Amir nodded.
"She is your fiancée?"
Eric answered without hesitation:
"She is my business partner."
Elena controlled her reaction.
Discipline over emotion.
The deal was done.
But as they left the luxurious hotel and returned to the black vehicles—
Eric knew something had changed.
He had crossed a new line.
It wasn't just loan sharks anymore.
Not just suspicious mercenaries.
A prince—
Was interested.
And Emir Kaya—
Was being informed in real time.
The game was no longer small.
And every move now—
Carried heavier consequences.