A charged silence fell between them. The air was heavy—not just with secrets, but something unspoken, unfamiliar. Mr Bagrovskiy wasn’t used to people talking back—especially not wounded men who should be begging for mercy.

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re just a civilian. You talk like a spook.”

“I used to work as an Intelligence officer in Japan. But I didn't work anymore after the incident happened back then. Doesn’t matter now.” What he said made him even more furious.

Intelligence officer?!, He thought to himself, “Everything matters,” he said. “You’re hiding something,” and he got more curious about him.

“Everyone is,” he said softly. “Even you… Feel free to check my background if you doubt me, ” he said without hesitation.

“You think too highly of yourself. How can I trust you?”

“You can use me,” he said confidently.

He studied him for a long moment, then turned toward the window as he smoked his cigar.

“You’ll stay here until I decide what to do with you. I'll dig up everything about you, so don't underestimate me. If you lie to me again, I’ll slit your throat in your sleep.” He looked at Haruto while holding the knife with blood in his hand as he wiped it.

“Fair.” He leaned back, eyes fluttering shut. “Thanks for the hospitality.” 

Mr Bagrovskiy didn’t respond. Outside, the rain had finally stopped. But inside, a storm was only beginning.

*****

The morning light moved slowly through the cracked blinds of the safehouse, casting thin slats across the dusty floor. Mr Bagrovskiy had barely slept. He’d spent most of the night at the table, smoking a cigar and watching Haruto breathe.

He was still unconscious. The drugs had done their job. “He murmured to himself.

He looked at his watch and finally stood, stretching his tense muscles. The headache behind his eyes told him he was late for a meeting with the capos. But he couldn’t leave him unguarded. Not yet.

His phone buzzed. Gabriel.

“Speak”

"Where are you?"

"Handling a situation. Get a clean car and meet me at the trattoria in an hour. Bring clothes. Also, look for this person's information after you get here."

He hung up and turned toward Haruto just as he moved. He sat up slowly, grunting.

"Still alive," he said. “That’s progress.”

“Barely,” he said. “You owe me answers. And now, you owe me a favor.”

He blinked at him. “A favor?”

“You said someone in my crew sold me out. I want names. I want proof. I need to find that guy. And until I get it, you work for me.”

Haruto leaned back, the pain obvious on his face. “Then what should I do?”

“Look for information about the San Diego family and their unusual business. Find out what else they are doing in Mexico and who their business partners are. We can't get any information because there's a rat inside my organization and Gabriel is still handling it, but I can't afford to waste time.” 

I wasn’t sure if this was my chance or just blind luck. He trusted too easily. The thought crossed his mind. “How can you trust me? You barely know me,” he said. Haruto, you idiot. Why would you even ask that? You just made yourself look more suspicious, he scolded himself, nerves tightening.

“No, I don't trust you. I know enough. You’re not in the San Diego family. You’re not working as intelligence anymore—not local.. and if I find out more about you, I can kill you right away,” he said, with his voice low and threatening.

He chuckled. “Wise, I see..”

Mr Bagrovskiy stared at him, with a question in his mind, and Haruto felt awkward.

I think this is the best way, I need to inform the team about this… he said to himself.

A knock came at the door. 

He opened it. Gabriel stepped in, eyes narrowing at Haruto.

"Is that the situation?" he asked, as he observed Haruto.

"For now," he said, and he tilted his head to look at Gabriel.

Gabriel tossed the clothes at Haruto. “Get dressed. You’re coming with us.”

“Where?” he asked with a question on his mind.

Mr Bagrovskiy smiled without warmth. “To clean up your mess.