Page 55 of Final Installment
“And then what?Huh?We just lose all that money?Millions and millions in principal and interest?Money we need to grow this family.Money we need to pay the Russians for all the product we’ve already bought to move through that trade corridor that finally comes back under our control after this wedding.”
“There are other ways—.”
“Where?What ways?Did you find them in Shanghai?”He didn’t let Kristo answer.His cousin’s downturned and ashamed gaze was enough.“In the last five years, we’ve lost almost forty percent of the narcotics trade because we haven’t had our trade corridor.We’re down year over year in black market goods.We screwed ourselves with the crypto scam.The only place we’ve had year over year growth is in arms dealing, but how long will that last?”
“Well, considering the war in Ukraine and what’s happening in Gaza—.”
“We can’t count on that for growth,” Luka cut in sharply.“We need capital to invest.We need that money.We need that trade route returned to us from the Raffaellis.If I have to marry Dafina and fuck a baby into her to get my hands on it, fine.Let’s go.I’m ready.”
Luka grabbed the salmon pink tie from the hanger on the clothing rack.With efficient and practiced movements, he fastened the tie into place with a perfect knot.
“Here.”Kristo handed him the matching vest.“So, you can match the flowers Drita picked and the tablecloths and the place settings and the invitations and...”
Luka ignored Kristo’s barb about the wedding planning.His cousin had counseled on more than one occasion that Dafina should be making more of the decisions about the ceremony and reception.Counsel he had ignored in favor of allowing Drita to handle things to ensure the process went smoothly.
“Dafina had no complaints about the wedding planning.”He took the vest and slipped into it.He moved in front of the gilded mirror in the corner of the room for a better look at the fit.
“Would Drita have listened?”Kristo eyed him in the mirror’s reflection.“Maybe if your bride had been included in the planning her wedding party wouldn’t have bailed.”
“Maybe she should have chosen better friends.”The fact that not one single friend had journeyed to Albania to stand with her in the bridal party left him uneasy.Dafina insisted she had been shocked to see that none of them had arrived, but he sensed she was lying.
“Or a better husband,” Kristo muttered.
“Hey!”He scowled at his cousin.
“You could have been kinder about it.Gentler,” Kristo insisted.“Maybe if you had tried to get to know her better?”
“There’s no point in talking about it now.It’s too late.”He grabbed the jacket Drita had picked out for the ceremony and slipped into it.
“Yes, it is.”Kristo sighed.“We should get going.Who knows how much longer until the old man’s heart finally gives out?”
Luka laughed shortly at the dark joke about Artan’s health.
“It’s a good thing he’s not the one walking Dafina down the aisle tonight.He’d have to drag his oxygen tank and mask with him.”
“I can’t tell if he actually needs it or if it’s all for show.”
“Probably a little of both.”
Luka agreed with a huff of laughter and then took notice of Kristo’s outfit.They were identical except for the slight variation in height.“You cut your hair and trimmed your beard.”
“We have to match.”
Luka hated asking so much of his cousin.“You don’t have to do this anymore.”
Kristo squeezed his shoulder.“We’re surrounded by our enemies.I’d prefer any bullets come my way instead of yours.”
“With this family, it’s more likely to be a knife,” Luka grumbled as he stepped out of the house.
“Or a bomb,” Kristo deadpanned.
He frowned at his cousin.“Don’t even joke about that.”
“Sorry.”Kristo lifted both hands in mock surrender.“But you know I’m right.”
He didn’t answer.It felt too much like jinxing the night.
“Where’s Rina?I haven’t seen her since this morning.”
