Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
H avros
Dimitrios had a blank expression on his face while our youngest brother, Christos, puffed up like a shark. He was more hotheaded than I was, while Dimitrios did his best to keep the peace.
Christos was having trouble falling into his role as the Enforcer. That left a lot of the dirty work on my plate. It was time to have a heart to heart with the man.
“The little fuck,” Dimitrios snarled. “I’ve had four calls this morning about that scathing piece of trash. People have threatened to pull several contracts. We can’t have that. Our business won’t tolerate it. Even the son of a bitch selling the land to us in Paris left me a shitty voicemail.”
We’d worked for months to secure a prime location in the heart of Paris for another nightclub. We had everything locked down, the final meeting a week or so away.
“What do you always tell me?” I asked. “An American term you use quite frequently. Chill out, I believe is the correct usage. I suggest you take your own advice.”
Christos laughed. “You know we have too much at stake.”
“Of course I do.” I glanced from one to the other then back to Dimitrios. “You have that meeting in Paris in a few days. Once that contract is signed, there won’t be a single corporate entity who will go against our demands. Including Milan.”
Our exclusive clubs were all the rage in Athens. We’d begun to take them to other European countries. It was entirely possible we’d eventually land in the United States. Time would tell. Of course, our clubbing business, while tremendously successful, still took a backseat to our export business. Sadly, Theo had alluded to that as well.
That meant someone from our less than legitimate side of our operations had opened their mouth. Maybe more than one. Only twenty-five percent of our workforce had any access or information to our darker side. We had several legitimate businesses that employed hundreds of people. Narrowing down the traitors would be next to impossible.
Dimitrios waved his hand as if loathing the conversation. At this time in the morning I did as well. I’d spent half the fucking night fantasizing about the woman.
Her long legs.
Her bright smile.
Her sassy attitude.
And those breasts. Good Lord, they were the perfect size to fit into a man’s hands.
My hands.
I’d grown almost possessive overnight and I didn’t even know her name.
“I have it under good authority Bernardi ordered the hit on Carmine Coppola,” I told them.
Christos snorted. “The Sicilian Don’s son?”
“Yes.” I grinned and waited for Dimitrios’ response.
“Interesting, but not something we want to get in the middle of at this point. However, the meetings in both Paris and Milan are important, which means you’re going to need to handle something for me, Havros, so I can focus on the final arrangements.” Dimitrios suddenly altered his expression. Did I see a twinkle in his eyes?
“Oh, no. I can tell you have something up your sleeve.”
Christos laughed. “You know him too well.”
“You know about this?” I barked at my younger brother.
“Just enough to know you’re not going to like it.” Christos grinned savagely. “I have a conference call. I’ll leave the two of you alone. Don’t kill each other.”
As soon as he walked out, I jumped up from the chair, striding toward Dimitrios’ desk. “Out with it. What’s the favor?”
My older brother always tasked me with helping him out of a jam. He had a good heart, even if he often didn’t want anyone to discover just how soft it was. Only the lovely American girl Willow had awakened the entire depth of his kindness. I wasn’t certain whether to hate her or thank her.
“You’re going to take a meeting for me. Perhaps a series of meetings. I’d considered blowing it off even after I’d agreed, but with Theo’s actions, I think it’s best you handle it.”
“Handle what, exactly?”
“There’s a reporter coming here today to have a discussion, supposedly with me. An agent set it up and bugged the shit out of me for weeks. I agreed just the day before yesterday.”
“A reporter? Are you kidding me?”
“An award-winning journalist and no, I’m not kidding, but it could be used to our advantage.”
I rubbed my jaw and thought about what he was saying. “What’s the subject matter?”
“Organized crime. Other articles have been written about various syndicate families over the last couple of months. I’ve yet to read them. I heard they are a provocative but fair look into the life of crime syndicates without spilling any trade secrets. Perhaps you could put a spin on the information delivered.”
Fuck. My brother was a consummate businessman. He had a damn good point. “When is the meeting?”
Dimitrios looked at his watch. “Ten minutes.” His grin was evil. Damn the man.
“You’re committed to this?”
“Why not? You might enjoy the banter. If I know you, which I do, you’ll torment the reporter to the point of surrender. And in truth, at this point we need to turn the tables. I had a damn phone call from the police department sniffing around.”
When our father was the Boss, interaction with the police had been frequent. With most of the department either on our payroll or blackmailed, we’d had little interaction for years. Other than after the murder of our brother.
I glared at him. “A fucking reporter. As if I’m in the mood to deal with some slimy guy acting like he knows anything about our world.”
“I think you might be pleasantly surprised. Let me know how it goes.”
“Oh, I will. Right after I punch you in the face.” I strode toward his door, annoyed the week would include dealing with some asshole asking questions. At least I could determine the length of time involved.
“Her name is Kara Banning,” he said rather casually.
Kara. The woman’s name rolled off my tongue. At least with it being of the female persuasion, I might find the interaction more interesting.
“One last thing,” he said and walked closer. “I may need you to handle some darker business.” That’s what he’d taken to calling handling cleanup and creating trash. While it was supposed to be Christos’ job, our brother’s murder had soured him on the darker aspects of our business. He’d been devastated by the loss, no longer the carefree guy I’d grown up with.
None of us were. Revenge was still on our minds.
“Are you going to share the details?”
“Not yet. Not until I know for certain. Just keep your phone handy.”
“Alright, but you need to have a conversation with Christos.” I knew the look on his face. Since our youngest brother Leandro had been murdered, he’d done everything he could to round up every single person involved. For their part, the Cosa Nostra would remain on the top of the hit list.
Even though taking out five families certainly wasn’t a good business decision.
“If I ask you to do this, make it messy,” he added. “And don’t bug Christos about this. I will have a conversation with him, just not right now.”
I nodded and we exchanged yet another look. Often words weren’t needed between us. “I’ll let you know how this goes. But I refuse to take very long.”
“Understandable.”
As I headed to my office, my assistant handed me some contracts to sign. With only seven minutes until the reporter’s arrival, they would need to wait.
“When Ms. Banning arrives, show her in.”
“Yes, sir.”
I headed into my office, closing the door behind me. The day was as beautiful as most had been over the last month. May was a spectacular time of year, the flowers already in bloom. I walked toward my window, once again allowing my thoughts to drift to the woman from the night before. Yes, they were inappropriate, but a necessary respite after several months of keeping my nose to the grindstone.
She’d been a force of nature to a man who’d enjoyed taking the arm of stunning women from all over the world. Sadly, most hadn’t piqued my intellectual side enough to engage in a second date. My brothers had called my inability to connect haughty. I’d called my indifference prudent.
Whatever the case, I’d attempt to push off Ms. Banning after today’s meeting. My instincts told me engaging with her in any way could crush our already damaged reputation.
Only a couple of minutes later, someone knocked on my door.
“Yes?” I studied the window, waiting for the reflection of the open door.
My assistant opened it, sticking her head in. “Ms. Banning is here.”
“Show her in.” I didn’t bother turning around. I wanted the unwelcome visitor to know from the start that I wanted nothing to do with her or the article she was writing. Sadly, without time to investigate her style of writing, I was at a disadvantage. That was unforgiveable in my book. Garnering the upper hand immediately would always be in my best interest.
Alisa showed the woman inside, immediately closing the door after. I could see the woman’s reflection in the warm glow of the window. She was buttoned up in a pantsuit, standing stiff several feet away from my desk.
“Ms. Banning.” As soon as I turned around, my cock reacted before my mind caught up to what I was seeing.
Kara Banning’s eyes opened wide, but she did her best to hide her surprise.
While she appeared entirely different with her long curls fastened in a tight bun, her clothing entirely too conservative, there was no doubt the woman standing in front of me was the gem from the evening before. She clutched a briefcase in her hand, her fingers already starting to turn white from her tight hold.
Could I smell a hint of her arousal as I had the night before? My balls were already tightening from the sinful thought.
I walked around the edge of my desk, taking my time to study every inch of her luscious body. The ridiculous uniform-style clothing couldn’t hide her natural beauty.
Or her spunk.
I could still see it in her eyes.
“Ms. Banning. I’m Havros Nomikos.” I moved closer, extending my arm.
She took a deep breath, her tongue involuntarily darting across her bottom lip as she stared at my outstretched fingers.
“I assure you I won’t bite,” I told her. Yet, anyway. But I wouldn’t mind sinking my teeth into her.
“Of course not.” She accepted the gesture and while I’d anticipated the sparks we’d shared the night before, I sensed she was miffed at her body’s betrayal. It was too bad her jacket had successfully hidden her nipples when her dress hadn’t the night before.
“Mr. Nomikos. While I appreciate you taking this meeting, it was scheduled with Dimitrios.” When she pulled her hand away, she nonchalantly rubbed her palm on her slacks.
I backed away on purpose, sitting on the edge of my desk. Even with her attempt at disguising her beauty, my mouth watered from the sight of her.
My intuition told me she was attempting to hide the fact we’d already met. Why not play the game? After the night before, I was more than curious where this might go. “Yes, well, my brother is engaged in other business. I’m certain I can provide you with what you need. Although I must say, this exposé is highly unusual.”
“So you know my work.” She moved closer, studying me as intently as I was doing to her.
“I can’t say that I do. I’m also uncertain of exactly what you’re looking for.”
“The truth. As always.”
“What truth?”
She seemed somewhat more nervous than the night before, but her spirit remained bold. I knew that instantly when she headed to one of two chairs positioned in front of my desk, sitting down without being asked.
I’d give the woman credit. She wasn’t going to allow me to push her away. I headed behind my desk once again, easing down in my leather chair. As I folded my arms, clasping my hands together, she refused to blink.
“The truth regarding every crime syndicate. How they work. How they incorporate legitimate with less than honorable business operations. What you’re willing to do to your enemies. How you handle your employees.”
“What enemies, exactly?”
“I know you have a number of them. Those in your profession always do. You ride the world between light and dark, good and bad elegantly.”
I laughed, shifting in my seat to try to un-pinch my cock. “This darkness you speak of. I’m curious as to your meaning of the term.”
Kara finally placed her briefcase on the floor, pulling out the same notebook I’d seen on the table the night before. After flipping the cover, she tugged a pen into her hand.
“Ms. Banning. While I understand my brother said yes, I haven’t agreed to an interview. I think it’s important we get to know each other on a personal level prior to any agreement. Don’t you?” I could easily see I’d made her uncomfortable. She was already squirming in her seat.
The same perfume from the night before wafted into my nostrils. While not nearly as strong, it was a clear indication her buttoned-up appearance this morning wasn’t a decent representation of the woman underneath.
I sensed she knew all about darkness, but was unable to explore her desires. As soon as I sat forward in my seat, Kara tapped her pen on the pad.
“I think it’ll depend on how personal you want to become, Mr. Nomikos. I’m a qualified, award-winning journalist from New York. I’ve worked with several national newspapers and magazines over the last several years providing stories and exposés of dangerous criminals. I have dual degrees in criminology and journalism and a love of the truth. I’m not certain how much more you need to know about my credentials.”
“While I appreciate the overview, Kara, I’m looking for what makes you tick.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“If I’ve heard you correctly, searching for the truth is one passion, but there must be others. I can tell by the look of longing in your eyes you’re continually searching for the truth about yourself.”
Her jaw was suddenly clenched and I sensed annoyance at my pointed questions would soon move to anger. I did enjoy pushing her buttons, savoring the light flush already creeping up her cheeks.
“Mr. Nomikos. I’m a professional. Need I remind you that this meeting was already agreed to? While I’m certainly not going to attempt to take much of your precious time, I’ll assume you’d prefer the truth instead of having me pen blasphemous allegations that would drag your organization’s nefarious activities out in the open for all the world to see. Am I correct in my assumptions?”
“Touché, Kara, and please call me Havros.”
She whispered my name and the syllables looked delicious flowing across her rosy lips. “Alright, Havros. I would like to ask you some preliminary questions before we establish a timeframe for our conversations. If you agree, of course.”
“Timeframe. How long do you think this is going to take?”
“For a thorough interview, several days. I assure you I will be mindful of your… business needs.”
She was quite formidable.
“My business needs are important, Kara. But so are my personal requirements.”
At least Kara allowed herself to smile, although she turned her head away when doing so. “Very well, Mr. Nomikos. I mean Havros. Are you willing to continue our conversation today?”
“Yes, I believe I can find time in my schedule.”
As she pulled a folder from her briefcase, I did my best not to allow my mind to wander, but it seemed she’d awakened an internal level of yearning and darkness that had no intention of being shoved aside.
“I look forward to your honesty,” she said in a pointed reference.
“I will give you no less than one hundred percent accuracy. As long as you promise that to me as well.”
She lifted her pretty little head, her eyes full of questions. There was a moment of uncertainty, even a hint of fear since she was sitting in front of someone she undoubtedly believed dangerous. Yet her tenacity won out and she leaned forward, locking eyes with mine with the determination of a beautiful bulldog. “I assure you that I will. I have nothing to hide. The question is, do you?”
I leaned forward as well, wishing the desk wasn’t a hindrance. “We all have something to hide, Kara. We all feed on a level of darkness that keeps our minds active and our desires alive. I’ll be very eager to learn your secrets.”
Whether she knew it or not, she was going to offer them to me freely.
Just like she would her voluptuous body.