Page 27 of Knights Game

“We don’t need it to. The Albanians follow one ruleto keep the promise. And we know the Italians view the Albanians as equals. They work in partnership and not in competition. See the relationship they have is an outsourcing one. The Garcia Cartel outsource the distribution to the Albanians, and the Albanians need the Nexus ports for their distribution to work. If we can disrupt the Albanians’ operations enough it will create a crack in that new relationship and leave a space for the Covenant to fill. With an alternative distribution solution for the Garcia Cartel, if the Albanian operation implodes.”

“And the Dutch? They will be pissed if we cut them out?” Robert asks.

“We’ll deal.” John answers, Robert stares at him then nods, reading between the lines.

“And the current issues in Liverpool?” Terrance asks John, who stares back coolly. “How has it gone so wrong?”

“We had a leak,” John says, “which Levi has since plugged.”

My fingers twitch to pull out a knife and stab it into the nearest person.

Levi did fucking nothing.

“So, what do the Westons need?” Robert asks, watching me intently as he strokes his upper lip, the papers from the report messily on the table in front of him.

“We need to orchestrate multiple coordinated hits on the Albanians’ operations.” Levi says.

“Fucking hell,” Robert mutters shaking his head.

“How?” Andrew asks.

“Low-level gang activities,” I reply, and everyone in the room has the reaction that I knew they would have; they look at him then me like we are bat-shit crazy.

“You want to overthrow the Albanians with low-level gang activities?” Robert asks, his eyebrow raised.

“Even I can see that is a ridiculous idea,” William adds, and I envisage cutting the little cunt’s dick off.

“As Luca said, the Albanian model is based on professional business deals and equal respect,” Levi explains. “But what they don’t publicise is that they are already struggling with low-level Albanian street gangs who they rely on to get the product on the streets. Some are getting too big, too mouthy, drawing too much attention and are threatening their operation. What Luca is suggesting is we add to that threat to expedite…errors in the Albanians’ operations.”

“They have been doing the same to us,” I add. “They are already trying to ruin the relationship between the Covenant and the Dutch, and now the Italians. By removing our supplier, or taking over from the Dutch directly, they can increase the wholesale price even more, making it impossible for us to compete.”

“They are pushing us out of the market, gentlemen,” Levi says, as if this is his plan. “We either need to act now or make a deal with the Albanians.”

“Our families have all spilled blood for this organisation.” Terrance Langley spits out, “I will not roll over and let these bastards take over.”

The room erupts with angry shouting, as they all swear blue murder on the Albanians.

I glance at Roman.

The game is afoot.

10

Luca

I couldn’t stop thegrin from spreading on my face even if I tried.

You are disgusting.

Sunshine

The angry words along with the picture of my gift send a thrill through me.

She’ll enjoy my next gift more; I just hope she accepts it.

“I know the meeting went well, but it didn’t go that well,” Rome says, raising an eyebrow as I chuckle to myself and slip my phone back in my pocket. Fuck, I want to see her, smell her.

“Did you find out any more information?”