He leaned again, eyeing me rigorously. He was sizing me up, and I did the identical to him, sitting again in my chair. I took one other sip of bourbon, realizing what he was going to say subsequent. I wasn’t an fool.

He hadn’t referred to as me right here to admonish me for punching Alexios. If something, he most likely supported it. I knew the belief fund child had been a thorn in his aspect on multiple event.

No. This was concerning the Stefanidis ships.

An incident like that may have created a mountain of labor for him. After some reflection, I had admitted to myself that it might need been a little bit of a very rash resolution, and that I’d let my emotions for Maci cloud my judgement in dealing with the scenario.

A smaller hit would have actually despatched the message I wished, however I might stand by my resolution regardless, particularly within the face of the Secretary-Basic.

“Talking of surprising conditions, there’s been fairly a stir concerning the Stefanidis delivery incident. Three ships, wasn’t it? Fairly an costly loss. Some are even calling it an act of terrorism. There’s been a number of hypothesis about who is perhaps accountable from Al Qaeda to pirates. There’s even been a number of hints that hyperlink it to organized crime.”

“Sure, I heard about that. A tragedy, certainly. However I fail to notice what that has to do with me,” I mentioned boldly, retaining my expression impartial. I wouldn’t admit to something. There was nothing that would tie the explosions to me. I’d made sure of it.

Georgiou’s gaze was unwavering. “Oh, nothing straight, after all. However in our circles, rumors will be telling. And the rumor mill suggests your involvement. You perceive how such hypothesis can be… nicely… problematic for me in addition to for you.”

I met his gaze squarely. “Rumors are simply that, Secretary-Basic. You realize in addition to I do this hypothesis with out proof is a harmful sport, particularly for males like us to play.”

He nodded slowly. “True, however typically hypothesis is grounded in actuality. And actuality can typically be… extremely inconvenient for individuals such as you and me.”

“Hypothesis isn’t proof, Secretary-Basic. I belief the Ministry is extra occupied with information than rumors, or no less than, I hope it might be.”

There was a pause as we reassessed one another. I used to be exceedingly conscious that the stability of energy on this dialog was delicate, and by the look on his face, I knew he did too.

“In fact,” Georgiou lastly mentioned. “Details are what’s essential, however let’s be pragmatic. Typically, guaranteeing that sure… rumors stay simply rumors… will be helpful. For all events concerned.”

“I deal in actuality, not in idle gossip,” I answered, setting down my glass and cocking my head. Was he searching for out a bribe? If that’s the case, possibly the 2 of us may come to some kind of association in any case.

The stress between us was thick, and with each passing second, it was rising thicker.

He studied me for a second, then nodded. “Truthful sufficient. However keep in mind, realities can at all times change. And once they do, it’s usually smart to have mates in the appropriate locations.”

“More true phrases have by no means been mentioned,” I replied, purposefully retaining my reply imprecise.

I couldn’t assist however take into account the kinds of issues we may trigger for one another if issues turned bitter in the course of the course of this assembly. In my world of enterprise, each authentic and in any other case, I had the facility to mobilize a community of sources and data that would make life very tough for a person in his place.

My connections ran deep, and my information of the darker corners of our society gave me an edge that would unearth secrets and techniques and disrupt political careers, particularly if he aspired to hunt out a promotion and grow to be the following Minister of Justice.

On the flip aspect, Christos, along with his highly effective function within the Ministry of Justice, held a distinct type of affect. He wielded the equipment of legislation and authorities, able to initiating authorized nightmares and bureaucratic entanglements that would entrap somebody like me for years to return. His entry to confidential data and authorized instruments, to not point out his capability to sway judicial proceedings, posed a major menace to me. His energy lay within the system, within the labyrinth of authorized processes and political maneuvers that would simply ensnare a businessman like me, irrespective of how savvy.

“After which there’s yet another factor, the matter of your new companion, Maci,” Christos started, a sly edge to his voice. “A younger lady like that, in your organization… it does lead one to marvel. Folks speak, Nikolaos. They see a person of your stature with somebody so… inexperienced. They could get the improper thought. Some would possibly even say she’s nothing greater than a whore.”

The implication hit me like a bodily blow. My grip on my glass tightened, and a surge of protectiveness blended with anger coursed via me.

“Fuck you, Christos,” I spat out, the veneer of civility cracking underneath my rising rage. “You’ll be able to sit there and insinuate no matter you want about me, however I can’t tolerate such disrespect in direction of her. Hold her fucking title out of your mouth.”

Christos leaned again, a smirk enjoying on his lips, clearly happy at having struck a nerve. “Nikolaos, relax. I’m solely talking of perceptions. However you already know in addition to I do this perceptions in our circles will be as damning as actuality.”

“You’re treading on harmful floor,” I warned him, my voice low and menacing. “If you happen to or anybody else dares to slander her title, you’ll discover that I’m not somebody who takes such issues evenly. That is your solely warning.”

Christos raised an eyebrow, unphased. “Threats are a harmful sport, Nikolaos. Bear in mind, I’ve sources at my disposal that would make issues very tough for you. It might be smart to think about the way you converse to me.”

I stood up, my anger barely contained. “I don’t want to listen to this bullshit.”

Fuck it.

With that, I turned and walked out, leaving Christos Georgiou behind.

CHAPTER 22

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