Page 40 of The Bonventi Secret
"We're here, Sir," my driver announces, pulling up to the curb.
I straighten my tie one last time before stepping out. The cool night air hits my face, and I scan the area, my senses heightened as I morph into my role — Don Bonventi.
Gio and Marco are standing by the entrance, their presence highlighting the importance of tonight's meeting. I nod to them as I approach.
"Enzo," Gio greets me, his voice low. "He's waiting inside."
"Arrived ten minutes ago," Marco adds.
Of course, I don't need to ask who 'he' is. Nikolas Demitrakis, the Don of the Greek Mafia. Their involvement in our operations is crucial, given their expertise in maritime smuggling. Nicknamed'The Navigator' for his ability to move merchandise into the ports without detection from the East Coast, Nikolas is always one to be bought for services, and we have a big one for him.
"How's he looking?" I ask, my eyes scanning the street for any signs of trouble.
"Relaxed. Confident. He brought two of his men with him," Marco says.
I nod, processing the information. "Good. Let's not keep him waiting."
We enter La Sfera Nera, the warmth of the restaurant enveloping us. The soft glow of candlelight reflects off the dark wood paneling, creating an intimate atmosphere. The chatter of diners fills our ears as we make our way to the back room, reserved for tonight's get-together.
I turn the corner and enter the room. I spot Nikolas immediately. He rises as we approach, smiling.
"Enzo," he says, extending his hand. "It's been too long."
I grasp his hand firmly, meeting his gaze. "Indeed it has, Nikolas," I say, motioning for him to sit. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit down."
We take our seats, the tension in the air palpable. I can feel Gio and Marco's eyes on me, waiting for my lead.
"I hope you don't mind," Nikolas says, gesturing to the bottle of ouzo on the table. "I took the liberty of ordering a little taste of home."
I smile, appreciating the gesture. "Not at all. Antonio," I call to my head waiter, "bring us some glasses, please."
As Antonio hurries to comply, I study Nikolas. He looks relaxed, but I can see the sharp intelligence in his eyes. This man didn't earn the nickname "The Navigator" for nothing.
"So, Enzo," Nikolas says, leaning back in his chair. "What's so important that you needed to meet on such short notice?"
I pause, considering my words carefully. The partnership I'm about to propose could change everything for both our families. But one wrong move, one misspoken word, and it could all go up in flames.
"We have a proposition for you, Nikolas," I begin, my voice steady. "One that could be mutually beneficial for both our families."
Nikolas raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "I'm listening."
Antonio returns with another waitress, one I don't recognize. As she puts a glass down in front of me, her hair color reminds me of Livia. A sudden rise in me wishes I was sitting across from her now and not here on business.
I blink and resume my thought process.
I lean forward. "We've got a shipment coming in. Biggest one yet, but we've hit a snag with our usual routes."
"Let me guess," Nikolas interjects, a knowing smile on his face. "The feds are sniffing around your usual channels."
I nod, impressed by his quick understanding. "Exactly. We need a new way to get our goods into the city. And that's where you come in."
Nikolas takes a sip of his ouzo, his eyes never leaving mine. "We're friends, so I'll cut right to it. What's in it for me, Enzo? Why should I risk my operation for yours?"
I feel Gio tense beside me, but I raise a hand to calm him. This is the dance, and Nikolas is testing.
"Because, Nikolas," I say, my voice calm but firm, "this isn't just about one shipment. We're proposing a long-term partnership. Your expertise in maritime smuggling combined with our distribution network? We could double, maybe even triple, our profits within a year."
Nikolas leans back, considering my words in silence.
