Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70320 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“How are things, Rastus?”
“We’re doing well out here,” he says and pours whiskey into a glass for Peter. His Greek accent is light and his English is very good. I notice that he doesn’t pour a drink for me, but by now I’m not surprised. The men sit by the fire, and I’m left lingering awkwardly on a couch nearby. Rastus Filo doesn’t look in my direction, and Peter only glances over once or twice, like I’m a forgotten ornament tucked into a corner. I hate it, but I know better than to complain when there’s so much on the line. This is how the Greeks are with their women, and while I think it’s wrong, I’m not exactly going to change an entire country by complaining to a crime lord about it.
Peter says, “Don’t you ever get lonely with only guards and sheep for company? I hear your lovely wife is back in Athens right now.”
“She’s entertaining half the crime lords in the city, I’m sure.” He laughs, deep and bellowing, and I have no clue if this is the positive reception Peter hoped for or if this is just how Rastus Filo acts. “But I like my solitude. And besides, Crete suits me. I’m near to the coast and the ocean, but still surrounded by my flock.” I wonder if he means the sheep or the men he has working for him.
“I never did understand why you bothered with the animals.”
“Ah, but have you ever had fresh lamb?” Rastus shakes his head and smiles as he mimes licking dead animal from his fingers. “It’s lovely.”
I feel my stomach turn just picturing this weirdo sitting at a table and feasting.
Peter laughs politely and says, “I should get to business. I don’t want to waste more of your time.”
“It’s not often I get a visit from our American counterparts. Are you sure you can’t stay longer? For dinner, perhaps?” He glances in my direction. “I see you brought your woman.”
“Adrienne is my secretary. You can trust her.”
“Can I?” His expression clouds before he shakes his head. “Very well then. What do you need from me?”
“I’m sure you’re aware that I’m in talks with Le Milieu about a business arrangement between them and Balaska.”
“Oh, yes, it’s all anyone’s talking about. They’re saying Balaska wants to be the next Florakis, but I keep saying it’ll take more than some new drugs to control the crime lords.”
“I don’t think that’s his end goal. My guess is Balaska enjoys all the infighting. It gives him more space to maneuver and creates a lot of fresh opportunities to amass wealth and power.”
“That’s an interesting perspective.”
“Which is why we’re here. As part of the coming deal, we need ship captains, men with big holds and quiet mouths. Men willing to take risks for good pay. Honest, dependable men. Or as close as you can get me.”
I smile to myself and trying to imagine these honest, dependable men smuggling heroin from France into Greece.
“Now I see why you’ve come. You need the services of my family.” Rastus leans back, studying Peter. “You know, I was a loyal member of the association. I accepted Florakis rule because they brought peace and prosperity to everyone. In turn, I was treated well, consulted on important moves, kept involved in the day-to-day if I so desired. I was a peer to the men around me and treated as an equal.”
“Like I said, Balaska doesn’t plan on becoming the new Florakis.”
“No, I suppose he wouldn’t.” Rastus leans forward. “But he didn’t consult me about this new Le Milieu arrangement. He didn’t reach out to discuss how we might work together. No, instead he sends an American lapdog to do his dirty work. We were equals before. We were peers. Now, Balaska acts like he’s the king of Greece.”
I glance at Peter. He shows nothing, but I can guess what he’s thinking. I’m thinking the same thing: this is why Florakis started the association to begin with. Otherwise, all these crime lords with their huge egos and their obsessions with family will do nothing but bicker and fight, even if working together would mean more money and prestige for everyone. They all already know what it’s like to be a part of a big alliance and how much more powerful and rich they can all be, and yet they still devolve into this. It’s a small miracle the Florakis were able to hold it all together for so long and a testament to their skill and power.
“I am not a lapdog,” Peter says softly and swirls his drink, the ice clinking. “And Balaska didn’t send me. I came on my own accord. Whatever you feel is going on between you and Balaska doesn’t involve me, and certainly doesn’t involve Le Milieu. I’m talking about a big move here, Rastus. The kind of move that will change the way the Greek families do their business for a long time. The Russians are out, and we need new, dependable international partners if we’re going to keep on doing good business. If you want to be a part of what’s to come, this is your chance. Otherwise, I can find someone more interested in making money.”