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Antonios nodded thoughtfully. “I can see the merit in such an arrangement. However, my concern lies with the delicate matter of territories. How do we navigate potential conflicts of interest?”
I leaned back, tapping my fingers on the polished surface of the table. “A defined territorial agreement, clearly outlining the spheres of influence for each family. We’ll establish boundaries that respect the strengths and specialties of our respective fleets, minimizing the potential for friction.”
Antonios mulled over the proposal, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair. “And what about our rivals, Nikolaos? The Arvanitis family, for instance. How will they perceive this alliance?”
“Our unity will be a testament to our strength,” I asserted. “It sends a clear message to rivals that we stand united against any external threats. Besides, the Arvanitis family won’t risk antagonizing both of our powerful alliances simultaneously.”
A wry smile played on his lips. “Very well, Nikolaos. Let’s draft the terms of this alliance. But remember, any betrayal will not be taken lightly. I will make you rue the day you betray me until your very last breath.”
“Agreed,” I affirmed, extending my hand for a final handshake.
For the next several hours, we delved into the specifics of the agreement. We decided that over the next few days, a contract would be devised and signed, solidifying the terms of our agreement in writing.
We ended the meeting with another firm handshake, and I took my leave, flying high on the feeling of victory. With the Stefanidis family at my side, my position in the shipping world would be even stronger.
And I needed it.
I didn’t want to rock the boat, but I didn’t plan to continue dealing in business with the mafia. It was my full intention to crack down on any and all illegal activities in my organization. It was time to clean house, and I needed to be the one holding the broom.
I was going to make the Kaligaris family name fully legitimate.
As I stepped out of the opulent meeting room, Andreas was waiting for me just outside the door, his expression a mask of concern.
“There’s something you’re going to want to see, boss,” he began, his voice tinged with urgency.
“What is it?” I pressed.
“We need to head down to the piers right away. We found something that’s for your eyes only,” he answered cryptically.
Whatever he found needed to be out of range of potentially dangerous ears, and I nodded, understanding at once.
Pulling my shoulders back, I followed Andreas out of my office building and into a waiting car. The drive down to the docks was very short. He led me onto a massive tanker cargo ship in silence, and I didn’t ask any questions because there was a look on his face that told me he didn’t know what to say.
We descended through the labyrinthine corridors of the ship, passing dimly lit storage spaces until we reached a nondescript cargo area. The hum of the ship’s machinery surrounded us, creating an eerie backdrop to whatever this was.
Andreas gestured towards a large shipping crate, his eyes reflecting a mixture of grim determination and obvious unease.
“This is where it gets ugly, boss.”
With a turn of a latch, the container doors creaked open, revealing a scene that froze me in my tracks. I stared, my eyes wide, disbelief tightening inside of me like a vice.
Fuck.
It was my goddaughter.
There was a dirty gag stuffed in her mouth. Rope bound her ankles together and her arms were cuffed behind her back. Her once vibrant auburn waves were ratty and disheveled, tangled all around her face. Her cheeks were stained with dirt and what looked like trails of tears. Her beautiful blue-green eyes reflected a mix of terror and relief upon seeing me. It broke my heart to see that the spark of defiance that had danced within those pretty eyes had been dimmed by whatever she’d endured.
Someone was going to pay for this. Dearly.
“What the hell is this?” I seethed, my eyes narrowing as my heartbeat pounded in my chest. Blood rushed through my head, and I fisted my hands at my sides. Rage boiled within me as I took in the gravity of the situation.
I had worked so fucking hard to keep her out of my world, and here she was, right in the goddamn middle of it.
“The Pappas family had their eyes on her. They’re the ones that took her. They aimed to use her against you. We intercepted them before they could get her to a secure place.” Andreas answered quickly.
“How the fuck did they find out about her?” I roared.
Andreas hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with a hint of uneasy remorse. “When you were last in the States bailing Maci out of jail, something happened that we didn’t catch. I think you might’ve been followed. We traced it back, and it seems they got wind of her existence during that trip.”
