Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I’m agnostic on the question, but it’s obvious this little union is a problem for everyone.”
“That’s what I’m told, but I don’t see it that way.”
Yiannis’s eyebrows raise. “How is it not a problem? You’ve been at war with the Florakis association for some time, and we’ve been their allies here in the States.”
“I see it as an opportunity. Kacia can help heal the divide between our two families and establish good business relationships. The only thing that can help speed up healing is cash, and we both know we’d be stronger working together. You never gave a fuck about the Florakis and I don’t think you should pretend like you still do.”
He laughs gently and drums his fingers on the table. The waitresses don’t come over—they know better than to interrupt him during a business meeting, and it’s like we’re in our own little bubble, talking openly about things that should only ever happen in the dark. It’s strange—so much of my life is like a dream.
“I’ve lost friends in our war.”
“We’ve all lost,” I point out.
“Yes, that’s true, but you’re sitting here like everything is over. Yes, the Florakis man and his boys are killed. Yes, Greece is in chaos at the moment as the crime lords fight each other and look for guidance from somewhere else. Will it be the Russians? The Chinese Dragons? The Yakuza? I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. This is America, and our family is still strong.”
“That’s why I came here first before going to the crime lords themselves. I hoped you would agree to act as intermediary.”
Yiannis’s lips purse. “Does your father know you’re here?”
“My father doesn’t need to know every detail of what I do.”
“Yes, of course not. And what about you, Florakis girl? How does it feel fucking the man that murdered your family?”
She bristles and opens her mouth but I speak before she can. “Our relationship is none of your concern. Just know that we’re on the same side now, and you’d be smart if you could forget about our petty jealousies. This is business, Yiannis.”
“Jealousies. That’s an interesting name for it. Truth be told, Luca Valverde, I despise you and your whole family. I’d rather be poor and dead than working with the Italians, you scum.”
I lean forward, staring into his eyes. “Is that why you sent the Russians after me?”
He hesitates. His eyes flit to the side, toward the counter, and that’s all I needed to know. It was a guess, a wild speculative theory, but it’s fucking true. The bastard really did sanction those two Russian thugs.
I had a feeling the Greeks had a hand in that meeting. The Russians aren’t strong in New York, which means they’d need help from someone local to tail me and ambush me like that. The Calimeris family could do it for them and provide the necessary weapons to make sure the hit happened without a problem. However, I’m guessing they didn’t expect me to take down their little Russian thugs first.
The fucking bastard. Still thinking like we’re at war. These small-minded fools are going to get everyone fucking killed.
“I don’t control the Russians,” he says after a pause. “You know that damn well.”
“I’m warning you now, Yiannis. Any more of that shit and I’m going to make sure your entire family burns.”
“You’ve been trying for years, Italian dog. I doubt you could do it now.”
I lean back in the booth and stare at him. His eyes are wide and he’s on the verge of snarling like a rabid dog. This isn’t going great. I smile at him, my hand still on Kacia’s leg, and it must be driving him crazy to see the daughter of the most powerful Greek crime lord in history sitting at my side like this. It must break his fucking heart.
I smile wider, loving his rage.
“Think for a moment,” I say softly, head tilted to the side. “The world has changed in the last week. The Florakis family is finished, which means you won’t have backup from Greece. No more money, no more drugs. The crime lords are tearing each other to pieces, as you already admitted, which means they won’t be organized enough to come help if my Famiglia decides it turn its strength against you in particular. Right now, we could pick you fuckers apart, one after the other, while you squabble like children. First the American families, then the Greeks. I’m here to offer you a better option.”
Yiannis slams a fist onto the table. “You arrogant little bastard.”
“You’re angry because you know I’m right.”
“I should cut your fucking throat and drink your blood, you piece of—”
“Please, enough.” Kacia cuts in sharply and I squeeze her leg, but she brushes me off, ignoring my signal to stay quiet. “Mr. Calimeris, I understand you’re upset. Believe me when I say I share your distress. I miss my father and my brothers, but Luca is right. We can keep fighting each other, or we can work together.”