Chapter 16 #2
Not that I minded the old, brutal methods of handling business. Mikhail and I had certainly shared our moments of reveling in destroying would-be enemies with our fists and other more powerful weapons.
Still, the meeting and the business recommendation felt like something else altogether.
Maybe my father was testing me. I wouldn’t put it past him.
He’d tormented both sons over the years with cryptic quizzes and puzzles to invoke our most intangible thoughts.
At least that’s the way he’d described his circus-like requests when we’d been younger.
Chuckling, I killed the engine, studying the group of men who were standing by what was left of ruins of a former hotel.
Ludolf Hoffman was well known in Europe, his reputation much like mine, assertive and powerful.
He had a solid business acumen, able to build his company up from the ashes of a land development company his father had run into the ground.
Just like Mikhail had mentioned, he came from what some people would call royalty.
He and his family had ties to some very powerful Germans from decades before. In my eyes, I saw something more abhorrent, but it wasn’t my call to make.
It was the same for the mostly men in his special group.
They were all from wealthy, powerful families.
Some with criminal pasts. Others from corporations who dabbled with crossing the line.
While I’d gleaned most of what I’d learned from a brief internet search and from what Mikhail had told me, there were plenty of rumors about just how powerful they were.
From what I’d been able to decipher about the family, nothing would indicate Pops and Ludolf’s father had run in the same circles, but I’d been very young during my father’s period of control inside Russia.
Currently, Ludolf’s father was serving time in a German prison for extortion and money laundering.
That had seemed to add credibility to the group or perhaps instilled fear in others. It was a tactic we’d certainly used before.
Ludolf was smart, savvy, and well connected.
Also much like myself and my cousins and brother.
Never married with no children, he’d been photographed with dozens of beautiful women from various countries.
Much like I’d been as Fallon had discovered.
The main difference between the two of us, other than that he was older by several years, was that he hid his ties to various unscrupulous people whereas I had no problem with sharing the fact we still had family ties and power in Moscow.
His friends were shadowy figures, much like his methods of doing business.
This felt very much like some riddle and one I wanted no part of.
The other two men were also well known; Pierre Moreau was from a wealthy Parisian family who’d garnered their fortune through vineyards while Spaniard Emilio Sanchez had close connections with a Spanish cartel.
Neither one appeared to have particularly unusual or dangerous backgrounds, but I knew better than anyone that looks could be deceiving.
As well as basic actions.
Hoffman approached, a smug look on his face. Perhaps he was mirroring mine.
“Vissarian. Good to see you again. Pierre Moreau and Emilio Sanchez.”
“Yes, I’m aware who you all are.” I shook their hands, nodding to all three men, almost instantly pulling away. While most of the rubble had been removed, there were still remnants from a rock wall fronting a path that led into an overgrown jungle.
“As always, reputations can be egregiously outdated.” Ludolf was enjoying the moment. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay.”
I glanced toward the water. There were too many things about the man that bothered me. “Yes, very nice accommodations.”
“And you saved a dog. News travels fast,” Emilio added. “With a beautiful woman no less.”
“His pilot,” Ludolf told him. What was the point?
I slowly turned my head.
In Pierre’s hand was a rolled-up blueprint. I’d seen the renderings before, the designs already emailed.
“Why don’t we cut to the chase with our meeting,” I suggested.
“I’ve looked at the plans and while they appear to be a beautiful representation of a resort and casino, which is certainly something Dmitriyev Enterprises is known for building, you certainly have enough European connections that you don’t need our expertise.
So why are you really suggesting the alliance? ”
The three men looked at each other, Hoffman obviously amused.
“A man who appreciates getting to the point. I do admire that. Then that is what we will do.” Hoffman wasn’t a man full of gestures. He was cold and calculating, much like every other German I’d encountered over my years of doing business.
I remained quiet, learning a long time ago that silence could often be an excellent weapon if for no other reason than being able to pay attention to nuances. Gestures. Twitches. Body tics. Even changes in breathing habits.
It was interesting that they were all cool cucumbers. They weren’t going to hide who they were.
“We would like an alliance with the Dmitriyev Bratva.” Pierre made the statement.
Perhaps I was expecting a grand gesture of some kind.
“A Bratva on the other side of the world from Moscow. I understand you’re having significant issues with our Russian brothers.”
Ludolf cocked his head. “As expected, your Pakhan is a knowledgeable man.”
“Yes, he is. Which is why I’m curious as to your reasoning for asking me to attend this meeting. Don’t get me wrong, the hospitality is appreciated and seeing the site of the proposed resort is helpful, but it could have been done with aerial shots.”
“Do you understand the power the Bratva wields in Russia and beyond?” Ludolf asked.
I laughed half-heartedly. “I was born in Moscow. I know exactly how powerful they try and portray themselves to be and that they will use any method of criminal activity to get what they want.”
“They are afraid of you.”
Ludolf’s admittance, whether real or simply an attempt to stroke my ego, was still amusing. “Is that your point in asking for our involvement? Surely this resort is not the reason for an alliance.”
“I believe the alliance will be of great value to both organizations and send a powerful message to the Russians.”
“Ah, you want us to be seen as your muscle.” There was more to this, I could tell, and what the hell did I have to do with this?
“Yes, a helpful addition to working together,” Emilio answered. “But that’s not all.”
“Okay. Get to the point.”
“The Russians aren’t working alone any longer. They have formed an alliance of their own with the Cosa Nostra from Sicily. They have branches in several cities across the United States.”
While I bristled from hearing about another Italian group, the information meant nothing to me. Or at least it shouldn’t. “And I care why?”
“You are aware there are smaller Cosa Nostra factions within the United States. Yes?” Pierre was serious.
I had to laugh. “Yes, as evidenced by a friendship developed with the Costa Syndicate, something you obviously learned from various magazines over the last couple of years.”
“Yes, of course,” Ludolf said. “But the factions we are talking about are as dangerous as the Russians.”
“Good for them. While I do appreciate the opportunity to consider expanding our resorts worldwide, as I’m certain our Pakhan told you, we are really not in a current position to do so at this time.”
“You do realize that our alliance would make us the most powerful organization in the world. Yes?”
Ludolf was nothing if not insistent.
“Yes, I’m certain you are right, but power is in the eye of the beholder. Thank you again, but I won’t be recommending to our board of directors that we continue considering this option.”
“We could easily control aspects of various industries through our alliance and connections alone.” Emilio was equally frank. “And I assure you that there are substantial… perks to working together.”
“You want to rule the world financially.” My comment was off-handed.
Ludolf laughed. “You underestimate our power. Combined, it will be even greater. I’m certain both you and your Pakhan are aware you have enemies all over the world.”
“A necessary evil,” I answered. “But given we are nothing more than businessmen and women, forging a different path, we handle every danger entirely differently than before.”
The three men laughed. “Come now,” Ludolf added. “The reputation of your former Pakhan and his brother continue to create fear in syndicates throughout the world.”
“Again, I don’t disagree with you. What does this resort have to do with this future you have planned?”
“Call it a safety net. A secure location in a country that holds no particular alliance.”
Sighing, I glanced at Pierre after he made the statement. “We have no interest in going backwards in our methods of handling business. We are content with our power and wealth.”
“Your father would say otherwise.”
“What does my father have to do with this?”
“Let’s just say he was someone of importance to my father.” Ludolf lifted his eyebrows, waiting to see my reaction.
“Good for him. While this is a decision for a full board of directors to make, I will be recommending that we don’t accept your offer.” They weren’t ready to divulge whatever hand they were holding. That alone pissed me off.
As soon as I started to walk away, something prickled my senses, which put me on edge. I almost reached for my weapon.
“Do you believe in love at first sight, Mr. Dmitriyev?” Ludolf’s voice was entirely different than before, the lilt of amusement as if dropping a bomb.
I stopped short, slowly tipping my head over my shoulder. “Why do you ask?”
“Women play an important role in our cultures. Sadly, they are often used as pawns in the game of power. Arranged marriages are still prevalent in our world. While we might like to think of them as barbaric, they are useful. They bring two families together such as the case with your cousin and a member of the Costa family. However, they and the relationships are often vulnerable especially when feelings are involved. Plus, when someone disobeys the rules, even trying to run from who they are, lives are put in danger.”
What in the fuck was he talking about?
Now I was simply pissed. I swung around to face him. “What is the point, Ludolf?”
“The point being Ms. Zimmerman holds more power than you’ve yet to ascertain. I doubt she is aware, but simply for the blood running through her veins, she is important.”
“How so?” I took a step closer, doing everything I could to curtail my anger.
“I believe it for you to discover if you’re so inclined. If you decide to go your separate ways, then it won’t matter. Then again, you are connected.”
I half laughed. “So cryptic. You should know I don’t like or tolerate riddles. Unless they come from my father. Enjoy your afternoon, gentlemen.” This time, I wasn’t going to allow anything to stop me.
“Let me ask you one last question, Vissarian. Wouldn’t you like to know who murdered your fiancée fifteen years ago?”