Chapter 14 Dock Negotiation

• The atmosphere in the dimly lit back room of Vincenzo's Restaurant was thick with tension. Six men sat around a huge mahogany table, their faces partially obscured by cigar smoke that hung heavy in the air. Amongst them was Pedro, who was sitting at the head of the table, his expression impassive as he watched the man across from him turn progressively redder with rage.
• "You can't be serious, Delgado," spat Nikolai Volkov, his Russian accent thickening with anger. "The docks have been Bratva territory for fifteen years. You have no claim there."
• Pedro took a slow, deliberate sip of his whiskey before responding. "Times change, Nikolai. Your operation has become... inefficient." He set down his glass. "You lost two shipments last month alone. The authorities are circling."