How Villains Are Made - Kaz Brekker

Chapter Four

Per Haskell was an old man, not because of his age, but because of the clear disliking he had of everything new; the only exception being girls. He loved girls of all ages, he insisted on saying, but the truth was that the newest and youngest girl willing always took his attention more than any other woman.

He knew, however, that he didn't have much to offer them.

He was quite old in his age was well, though he didn't like to admit it. He didn't have a whole lot of money, he could have a luxury or other, but sometimes – at the end of the month – he would need to tighten up the belt if Brekker didn't save his arse every time. He wasn't fit; he used to be, back in the day, but time took away his muscles, but not his appetite, leaving his belly round, though he could move fast when he wanted in a boost of youthfulness that many had lost a long time ago. But one thing he had more than many people thought was his cleverness; Per Haskell was a clever man, not all that intelligent, but he could talk and bribe his way out of a lot of situations, reading the room and social cues that many couldn't see.

That was how he saw through quickly that the girl sitting looking like a little angel in front of his desk while Brekker stood behind her was a lot more important than they both wanted to make it out to be.

"...she mostly deals with herbs and common surgeries, though she has experience with bullets and knife wounds," Kaz was saying, hoarse voice making Per Haskell awake and alert.

He hated that boy's voice; it made his own throat itchy. He had seen him smoking before, but never all the time, so he had no idea how his voice had gotten to that point. Besides, he had a similar voice when they first met when he was barely a teenager, just a skinny little boy surviving by feeding himself on rage.

"Knives and bullets are common surgeries in Ketterdam," he answered, cutting Brekker off quickly.

By the way the girl looked down, blinking a bit and trying to control her eyebrows not to raise she agreed with him.

"She can dance and sing as well for the patrons," Brekker added, as if Per Haskell had not interrupted him a second before. "She's good with mixing drinks as well, I thought we could use another barmaid – bonus, we get a medic. All in a single salary."

The Barrel Boss got up from his seat, slowly making his way around the desk to take a better look at the young girl still looking at the floor, smirk coming to his lips when she looked up, found his eyes and hurriedly looked down once more – she was smart to be scared of him; he might look harmless, but to be a Barrel Boss, he shan't be.

Still, no matter how smart she was, her body betrayed her and the way her shoulders tensed made Per Haskell think of a lamb hearing a rustling of leaves on the woods nearby the farm, her ears were hearing and she seemed to be aware of his every movement.

Kaz took one step, standing beside the chair instead of behind it.

He cut off Haskell's way.

"If you agree, I can get her to sign the papers today," he said. "Move her in, away from Razorgull's territory."

His eyes were curious on Kaz. Why had he stopped him? She was a lamb. Was he the shepherd? Was he another wolf standing on the shadows, ready to attack her as well? Whatever it was, Per Haskell wanted to find out.

Kaz also clearly noticed his mistake, because he didn't as much as glance at the girl for the rest of the meeting as they discussed her payment, her lodgings and her food supplies as if she wasn't on the room.

"The tattoo on her arm–" Per started.

"I can't get a tattoo here," the unfamiliar female voice said.