Chapter 33

Edward Pembroke was enjoying Prague and had booked an exclusive table at “Zlatá Koruna,” the city’s most prestigious restaurant. He was meeting his old friend Ahmed Al-Masri.

Both men were impeccably dressed in tailored suits and were savoring the finest cuisine the restaurant had to offer.

With them were two beautiful young Czech women, young enough to be their daughters, dressed in elegant long dresses. The women, whose company was clearly paid for, engaged in light conversation, enhancing the atmosphere with a touch of sophistication. As the parties clinked their glasses, toasting to a night of luxury, Edward and Ahmed complimented the women on their stunning looks.

One, a brunette in a dress just a little too low-cut for such a high-class establishment and with lips glossed to an almost comical sheen, dangled a pair of diamond earrings for all to see. “Ahmed gave me these!” she exclaimed, her voice saccharine sweet and almost childlike in its excitement.

“Isn’t he incredibly generous?”

The other, a blonde whose dress clung strategically to her body, flashed a designer handbag.

“And Edward,” she purred, batting her eyelashes exaggeratedly, “just gifted me this little beauty!” She giggled, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

Pembroke and Al-Masri smiled paternally, though their intentions after the meal were anything but paternal.

“You girls deserve some fun!” Pembroke smiled and stroked his date’s thigh under the table, looking forward to another night of passion with Milena. He could have any woman he wanted back at his complex, but there was something oddly indulgent and exhilarating about paying for the privilege of having the company and body of this sweet girl for a few days.

As they progressed through their meal, Ahmed excused the ladies and asked if it would be okay if Pembroke and Al-Masri switched to Arabic, his mother tongue, to discuss business.

“So sorry to talk business over dinner,” he added with a charming smile, “but after a few minutes, we can talk in English again!”

“I love the sound of Arabic,” Milena said, her voice soft and alluring. “I don’t mind listening, it’s so exotic,” she mewed into Pembroke’s ear, placing her hand on his knee.

Pembroke smiled and laughed. “So Ahmed,” he began in Arabic, “how was your date last night?”

“This whore? She is expensive, but worth it. My God, the things she did,” Ahmed shook his head in disbelief. “You would not think it to look at her.”

“Ahmed, she looks like a whore.”

“Haha, trust me, I don’t want to tell you the details. It will put you off your food!”

“What are you guys talking about?” asked Ahmed’s date, Hana.

“Some political things in Egypt,” Pembroke lied smoothly.

“It’s affecting our project.”

“Oh, how boring,” said Milena mockingly. She started a parallel conversation with Hana, talking about their holidays in the Czech Republic and discussing how much money they could get out of these two clients they were with.

“So, the Crown Prince is progressing with the stock transfer?” Pembroke inquired, a hint of eagerness in his voice. Ahmed laughed.

“Yes, we just need to make some space, clear out a few things, and then arrange a transport by plane.”

“All in one go then? I must say, it will be sad to see the girls go,” Pembroke said with a touch of melancholy, taking a sip of his wine.

“Yeah sure, not like you have plenty more squirreled away,” Ahmed replied, his tone turning sinister.

“Ahmed, what can I say? These girls, they just get lost, and I am their pied piper,” Pembroke grinned, stroking Milena’s shoulder.

“Just remember, Eddie, it’s the Crown Prince who is your main benefactor.”

“He cannot have every girl in the world.”

“No, but he can take objection to loose practices and exposure of human trafficking, which might lead back to him,” Ahmed warned, his voice low and serious.

“Ahmed, I am serious about this. All the abductions went perfectly, even Dilan! The CIA or Mossad could not have pulled that off as well!” Pembroke declared, a note of pride in his voice.

“That was very well planned, I must say,” Ahmed responded, nodding appreciatively. “Who was the person who was buried?”

“Oh, some poor unfortunate soul, tragic really, but eminently useful,” Pembroke said, looking at his glass. He knew he shouldn’t show such pride in such an evil action, even in front of a murderer like Ahmed. Ahmed smiled.

“Just remember, Eddie, the Crown Prince values discretion above all else.”

“Well, then I should be discreet about my other stock.”

“We will come to that. Meanwhile, I will send you details of the flight that will take the girls. There’s a private airstrip outside Adana we can use.”

“And the rest of the money?” Pembroke asked.

“Yes, in fact, the Crown Prince even offered an extra 10%—he loved the videos so much!” Ahmed’s grin widened. “He cannot wait to get his hands on Charlotte and the Swedish girls in particular.”

“Excellent, I could use the money!” Pembroke was serious, he had spent most of the advances.

“Yes, I am sure that handbag cost a pretty penny!” Ahmed glanced at Milena.

Pembroke sighed. “Well, we all have our indulgences. But this is business, and I intend to see it through perfectly.” He took a sip of his drink.

“Oh, and this might amuse you. That poor girl Elena, the Crown Prince told me, he watched the video, and she was not the girl who he wanted. It was a different girl who slapped him at some dinner when he grabbed her ass.”

“Oh...” Pembroke stopped sipping. Would the Crown Prince not want Elena?

“Oh, don’t worry!” Ahmed smiled.

“He is very happy to welcome Elena as well. That mysterious girl seems to have gotten away with it!”

Pembroke let out a relieved chuckle. “Good to know. I was worried for a moment.”

Ahmed’s smile widened. “The Crown Prince is particular, but he appreciates variety. Elena will fit in nicely.”

“Very good, and I hope the Crown Prince might want more in the future.”

“Well, for now, I have the unfortunate task of clearing the spaces, like I told you,” Ahmed said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “A pity, some beautiful girls, you should have seen them! Again, I only see the bodies, such a waste, having to slice them up like that,” he spoke nonchalantly, carving his meat with his knife.

Pembroke’s smile remained fixed.

“Yes, quite a waste,” he agreed, taking another sip of his drink. “But necessary, I suppose.”

“Indeed,” Ahmed replied, his tone eerily casual. “All part of the business, Eddie. All part of the business.”

“The circle of life,” Pembroke grinned and kissed Milena on the cheek as she played with his tie.

“You guys are boring, talking about business,” the girls chimed in, acting like little kids vying for attention. Pembroke laughed, turning his attention back to Milena.

“Alright, ladies, just a few more minutes!”

“So Eddie, who are you selling your other stock to?” asked Ahmed, trying not to show too much interest.

“Discretion is my name, Ahmed,” Pembroke smiled. “You must respect that.”

Ahmed looked at him with heavy stare.

“As long as they are serious, it’s not like lending from a library, if you know what I mean.”

“Don’t worry,” Pembroke reassured him. “They are men of means, but also men of ... ruthlessness. They have skin in the game too.” Ahmed nodded, satisfied with the answer.

“Good. That’s what I like to hear. No room for amateurs in our line of work.”

“I am happy to pay finder’s fees if you have any proposals,” Pembroke said with a sly smile.

“Well, as a matter of fact,” Ahmed replied, “why don’t you come down to Azmaria while the girls are delivered? You can see the place again. This time, you’ll get into the most exclusive spots with some very exclusive people who I happen to know would be very interested in talking with you.”

“Great!” Pembroke smiled broadly. He had been making progress with his potential buyers so far, but he wouldn’t mind having more competition and sources. He believed he was close to making a sale on some of the other girls and welcomed the opportunity to expand his network.

“Perfect. I’ll make the arrangements,” Ahmed said, satisfied.

“You’re going to love it. The opportunities there are endless.” Pembroke nodded, already anticipating the connections and deals to be made.

“Looking forward to it, Ahmed.”

“And Eddie, I have another proposal,” Ahmed said, pausing as the waitress approached to clear a dish. She had slightly dark hair, and both men exchanged a cautious glance, wondering if she might understand Arabic.

“Are you afraid that gypsy is an Arab?” drawled Milena, recognizing their fear of being overheard.

“This is James Bond stuff, my dear,” smiled Ahmed, leaning in and whispering conspiratorially. “We have to be careful.” Milena and Hana giggled, enjoying the intrigue and the sense of being part of something clandestine. Pembroke, still smiling, turned to Ahmed.

“So, tell me?”

“The Crown Prince’s nephew, like many young men, had some fun with this Pakistani girl in London. It got a little out of hand and well...” Ahmed waved his hand dismissively, as if to brush away the seriousness of the situation.