Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
The Stygian Syndicate’s production of “the fringe”, a violent and powerfully addictive drug in Desolation, would serve as the catalyst for an aggressive power struggle from the inside out.
The fringe was cheap to produce and a highly addictive substance. Its slow introduction had enabled us to gain influence and partial control over the city’s underground economy. Coupled with the Cosa Nostra’s web of connections in the States to distribute the product, it had already garnered immense profit.
But money wasn't the main reason for this move.
We weren’t hiding the fact that we were selling the fringe, but we also weren’t broadcasting who we were or what we were doing. My goal was to slowly provoke a rage-induced response from the Petrovs.
“With the fringe as our weapon,” Elias said, his voice breaking through my thoughts, “the streets of Desolation will run red.”
“So much red we’ll swim in it.”
Elias grinned wide. “There’s no going back. We’ve already started this shitstorm,” he responded, his tone deep, his accent thick.
“Yes, and it’s about time things change.”
He leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. I could see the wheels turning in his head. The Greek Mafia was small and didn’t have the manpower, or the backing and power, that other organizations did. But it was time that fucking changed.
“And what exactly will change, Carmine? What do you want to happen in the long run?”
We’d spoken at great lengths about this shit, but I knew he wanted to know the end result from where I stood.
I didn’t like explaining myself to anyone. I didn’t fucking let anyone know my end goal. I kept that shit to myself and only told them what they needed to know to get the job done.
But to obtain the kind of control I desired, to gain the type of power that would give me the fucking world on a silver platter, meant I needed to gain contacts from all over the world. And that’s why I reached out to Elias and had him connect with his fucking men to put this all in motion. The Stygian Syndicate had been gaining strength quietly.
“The Bratva is powerful, and Desolation has been growing ever since the Petrov brothers took control. But their power over Desolation has made them arrogant. Aligning with you and yours, Elias, will give us both positions on the winning side of the inevitable power shift.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You actually believe Dmitry and Nikolai Petrov will just roll over and present their bellies to us? You think we have a chance in hell of taking over their control?”
“Desolation is evolving, altering. The Ruin doesn’t have the power it once did, not with how things have already changed ever since the Russians took control after they slaughtered their father. But we need a new order that understands the importance of expansion and wants to stick to the way it was back in the day. We need to bring back tradition.” I leaned forward and grinned. “We are the future.”
Elias smirked, setting his glass down. “Control. Influence. And the chance to mold Desolation into a hub that serves both our interests is what I want. It’s what we both want.”
I nodded and finished off my drink.
“Πρέπει να φάμε αυτούς στην κορυφή. Μετα θα μπουν όλοι στη θέση τους.” We need to take out the ones at the top. After that, they’ll all fall into line.
I nodded again after Elias spoke.
“Anyone in our way is expendable. We’ll take them all out and rebuild with the perfect army that no one and nothing can stop. We’ll be a fucking superpower.”
Elias nodded slowly, considering my words. “You've thought this through. I’ll give you that. But you know the Bratva will retaliate, and when Dmitry and Nikolai find out what’s going on and who’s behind it, they’ll bring the hammer down.”
I shrugged. “They will, no doubt. But by the time they realize the extent of our plans, it will be too late for them to do any real damage. Once it’s all said and done, we’ll be untouchable.”
“They’ll have no choice but to give in or fall like the rest of them.”
“Esatto.” Exactly.
A silence settled over the table. Finally, he nodded and grinned. “Let’s tear down Desolation and rebuild that motherfucker.”
We both knew this was just the beginning. Desolation was about to undergo an even bigger change than what it’d been going through the past several years, and we were the ones who were going to fuck it all up.
“Μη με απογοητεύεις, Κάρμαιν. Μια συμμαχία μεταξύ μας θα μας κάνει και τους δύο πολύ ισχυρούς άνδρες.” Don’t let me down, Carmine. An alliance together will make both of us very powerful men.
I never let anyone talk to me like that, to act like they had more dominion than I did. But Elias needed to think he had a semblance of control. It would be easier for him to fall into line and obey at the end of this.