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He leaned back, eyeing me carefully. He was sizing me up, and I did the same to him, sitting back in my chair. I took another sip of bourbon, knowing what he was going to say next. I wasn’t an idiot.
He hadn’t called me here to admonish me for punching Alexios. If anything, he probably supported it. I knew the trust fund baby had been a thorn in his side on more than one occasion.
No. This was about the Stefanidis ships.
An incident like that would have created a mountain of work for him. After some reflection, I had admitted to myself that it might have been a bit of an overly rash decision, and that I’d let my feelings for Maci cloud my judgement in handling the situation.
A smaller hit would have certainly sent the message I wanted, but I would stand by my decision regardless, especially in the face of the Secretary-General.
“Speaking of unusual situations, there’s been quite a stir about the Stefanidis shipping incident. Three ships, wasn’t it? Quite an expensive loss. Some are even calling it an act of terrorism. There’s been a lot of speculation about who might be responsible from Al Qaeda to pirates. There’s even been a few hints that link it to organized crime.”
“Yes, I heard about that. A tragedy, indeed. But I fail to see what that has to do with me,” I said boldly, keeping my expression neutral. I wouldn’t admit to anything. There was nothing that could tie the explosions to me. I’d made certain of it.
Georgiou’s gaze was unwavering. “Oh, nothing directly, of course. But in our circles, rumors can be telling. And the rumor mill suggests your involvement. You understand how such speculation would be… well… problematic for me as well as for you.”
I met his gaze squarely. “Rumors are just that, Secretary-General. You know as well as I do that speculation without evidence is a dangerous game, especially for men like us to play.”
He nodded slowly. “True, but sometimes speculation is grounded in reality. And reality can sometimes be… incredibly inconvenient for people like you and me.”
“Speculation is not proof, Secretary-General. I trust the Ministry is more interested in facts than rumors, or at least, I hope it would be.”
There was a pause as we reassessed each other. I was exceedingly aware that the balance of power in this conversation was delicate, and by the look on his face, I knew he did too.
“Of course,” Georgiou finally said. “Facts are what’s important, but let’s be pragmatic. Sometimes, ensuring that certain… rumors remain just rumors… can be beneficial. For all parties involved.”
“I deal in reality, not in idle gossip,” I answered, setting down my glass and cocking my head. Was he seeking out a bribe? If so, maybe the two of us could come to some sort of arrangement after all.
The tension between us was thick, and with every passing second, it was growing thicker.
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. But remember, realities can always change. And when they do, it’s often wise to have friends in the right places.”
“Truer words have never been said,” I replied, purposefully keeping my answer vague.
I couldn’t help but consider the types of problems we could cause for each other if things turned sour during the course of this meeting. In my world of business, both legitimate and otherwise, I had the power to mobilize a network of resources and information that could make life very difficult for a man in his position.
My connections ran deep, and my knowledge of the darker corners of our society gave me an edge that could unearth secrets and disrupt political careers, especially if he aspired to seek out a promotion and become the next Minister of Justice.
On the flip side, Christos, with his powerful role in the Ministry of Justice, held a different kind of influence. He wielded the machinery of law and government, capable of initiating legal nightmares and bureaucratic entanglements that could entrap someone like me for years to come. His access to confidential information and legal tools, not to mention his ability to sway judicial proceedings, posed a significant threat to me. His power lay in the system, in the labyrinth of legal processes and political maneuvers that could easily ensnare a businessman like me, no matter how savvy.
“And then there’s one more thing, the matter of your new companion, Maci,” Christos began, a sly edge to his voice. “A young girl like that, in your company… it does lead one to wonder. People talk, Nikolaos. They see a man of your stature with someone so… inexperienced. They might get the wrong idea. Some might even say she’s nothing more than a whore.”
The implication hit me like a physical blow. My grip on my glass tightened, and a surge of protectiveness mixed with anger coursed through me.
“Fuck you, Christos,” I spat out, the veneer of civility cracking under my rising rage. “You can sit there and insinuate whatever you like about me, but I will not tolerate such disrespect towards her. Keep her fucking name out of your mouth.”
Christos leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips, clearly pleased at having struck a nerve. “Nikolaos, calm down. I’m only speaking of perceptions. But you know as well as I do that perceptions in our circles can be as damning as reality.”
“You’re treading on dangerous ground,” I warned him, my voice low and menacing. “If you or anyone else dares to slander her name, you’ll find that I’m not someone who takes such things lightly. This is your only warning.”
Christos raised an eyebrow, unphased. “Threats are a dangerous game, Nikolaos. Remember, I have resources at my disposal that could make things very difficult for you. It would be wise to consider how you speak to me.”
I stood up, my anger barely contained. “I don’t need to hear this bullshit.”
Fuck it.
With that, I turned and walked out, leaving Christos Georgiou behind.
CHAPTER 22
