ANDRONIKOS

“Nónos, the plan is coming out well. I have placed my men at strategic points in the port. Customs shouldn’t be a problem.” Georgios informed me.

“Good. Now focus on getting men to intercept the initial location of the goods before shipment. Some of them would be shipped primarily from Europe, so send messages to our men to get to those cars and ensure our goods are hidden properly.” If they manage not to fuck this up, Adira’s plan would be a huge success.

“Yes, Nónos. I’ll make sure—”

My goodness!

The voice of my underboss droned into the background as I was struck dumb by the vision that was Adira. She looked magnificent. I had chosen the dress thinking of how it’ll fit her beautiful curves, but my thoughts of her in it didn’t do justice to the woman walking down the stairs. My little flame looked absolutely ravishing.

She finally reached the bottom of stairs, a coy smile aimed my way. She wore the necklace I got her, and it sat beautifully between her collarbones.

“You have a little drool here,” she said, gesturing towards her chin.

What? I discreetly checked my chin, and of course, she was lying. She laughed at me but was interrupted by the phone call I’d forgotten about while admiring her beauty.

“Nónos? Boss, are you there?”

“I’ll speak to you later, Georgios,” I said, ending the call.

Turning to Adira and giving her a heavy glance of appreciation, I began to walk towards the door.

“Come on, Adira. We don’t have time to waste.” I heard her mutter something under her breath—demon—but ignored her.

“Oh, lest I forget. My mama, can be somewhat of a viper, so be… careful around her,” I said with a sarcastic smirk aimed her way. She gave me a confused look in response.

Let’s just hope Adira can survive Helen Karas.

*****************************************************

We arrived at the venue just in time. I stepped down from the limo, Adira’s hand in linked in my elbow, and we walked into the building. Just as I remembered, the organizers never fail to make their chosen venue as garish as ever. Every. Single. Year. They never fail with their unnecessary decorations.

You know, for a charity gala, these people really know how to pretend they care for the poor and less privileged. In this hall, were different types of people—from those who genuinely want to help (very few) to the ass-kissers, business magnates and the crime lords like me, this place housed all sorts.

Including my mother.

“To pedí mou!” my mother said, coming towards me with her arms wide open for a hug. I grimaced, left Adira’s hold, and embraced my mother.

(My boy!)

“Yia sou, mamá!”

(Hi, Mama)

“Have you been eating lately,” she said, drawing back from the hug and scrutinizing my form. “You look like you’ve lost some weight.”

“That’s not what I came here for, Mother. And yes, I’ve been eating.”

She slapped my tuxedo jacket-clad shoulder. “Don’t take that tone with me, boy. If you had a wife, you wouldn’t look so lean. Thirty-eight years and still single. Theé mou, what crime did I ever commit?”

I sighed heavily at my mother’s theatrical display. Behind me, I heard Adira snicker. Glad she’s finding this amusing.

The sound brought my mother’s attention to Adira.

“And who might you be?” my mother said, done with her dramatics.

“Adira ma’am. I’m here with your son.” My little captive gave my mother a demure smile, a great strategy as my mother liked women who were firm but knew their place around her.

“Hmm.” She turned to face me. “Nice choice, Nikos. I expect wedding invitations soon.” Without giving me space to counter, she walked off, likely to find another unsuspecting victim to torment.

“Well, that was… weird.” Adira said after a moment of silence.

“She probably likes you already,” I said, placing her hand back in their previous position and moving toward her parents. “But only time will tell how much.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Abara, a pleasure seeing you here.” They turned to face me, startled at my presence but quickly recovered when Adira went in to hug them. Yes, it was callous of me to approach them after what happened at their home, but I couldn’t let Adira leave without greeting her parents. Guess, I’m getting soft after all.

“Agapoula, it’s so good to see you,” Adira’s mother said, embracing her daughter.

“It’s good to see you too, Mama.”

Leaving them to catch up, I decided to search for my oldest enemy—Luciano. I’d seen him somewhere around here. The old fool had a barely legal girl, as usual draped on his arm. I’m sure he got her from the sex trade link he ran.

You see, I really hate when humans are traded like meat, and that’s what Luciano does. He trades people like cattle, actually going as far as tagging them.

So, yes, I might have destroyed his organization once or twice. Or more than that. Since then, we’ve been enemies. Now, I know he’s too stupid to be the one sending my little captive threats, but I still want to see him either way. To—how do I say this? —catch up.

“Luciano, long time no see. How’s your organization going,” I said, looking at the disgusting fool whose hand was already gripping the ass of the young girl he brought tonight.

His beady eyes turned to look at me. “Shouldn’t I be asking you, after you stole my goods and burnt down my organization?” And I had a good time doing it too.

“You mean people, right? Trafficked people.”

Flustered, he pushed the girl away and faced me properly. “What do you want?”

“I just want to let you know, Luciano, that if I find out you have a hand in threatening what belongs to me, I will cut your chubby, grimy fingers and stuff them down your throat, leaving just enough air for you to breathe,” I said softly. “Then when I’m done, I’ll put your remaining severed fingers up your ass and let the people you traffic, fuck you with them. After that, I’ll flay you alive so you’ll know never to mess with me.”

I straightened up, looking down at him as a maniacal smile spread across my face. “Is that understood, Luciano?”

“Yes,” he replied with false bravado but I could see the beads of sweat rolling down his nose. I scared him. As I should, cause I’ll do more than what I said if he crosses me.

Now, to find my little flame.