Chapter 8: Inner Battles-1
**D O M I N I C**
At the edge of the western part of the city, among some abandoned warehouses, I stood with some of my men in a semi-circle in front of numerous identical black SUVs.
Accompanying me was Aleksandr with some of his own Russian crew. We were meeting with the Albanians, who presently stood opposite us. Their leader, Kadri Sallaku, wanted to expand his business into Aelbank City.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Calvetti." Kadri said as he stuck his hand out for a handshake.
I silently eyed the man's beefy hand and made a clicking sound with my mouth as I raised a gloved hand in the air, "I don't shake hands, but the sentiment is much appreciated, Sallaku."
The man's eyebrow raised slightly, then he nodded in understanding. Smiling brightly as I chuckled, I said, "Let's get down to business, yea? So, Tolstoy has indicated that you're interested in buying weapons from us for redistribution back up in Somer's Point, correct?"
"That's right! You've got some of the best guns on this side of the coast, we want to make a deal!" Kadri replied.
I could tell that the Albanian was transfixed by my ashen appearance as I stood before him. It was one thing to hear about Dominic Calvetti, but standing in my presence was something else entirely. I knew that he was feeling slightly uneasy, judging by his body language.
From the way Sallaku fidgeted, it was clear that my appearance as well as the sound of my unusual and infectious laugh was something that the man would not forget anytime soon.
Aleksandr had connections back in Russia, and had established a regular itinerary to have guns shipped to Aelbank City. However, it was my control over the ports that allowed the weapons to enter into the country to be sold.
"What sort of firepower were you looking for?" I asked, as I checked my gold pocket watch, making a mental note of the time.
I had a birthday dinner to attend, and I dared not be late, so I needed this meeting to hurry.
"As many AK 74s as we can get our hands on," Kadri responded.
Tilting my head at Aleksandr, the Russian man stepped forward and spoke, "That's no problem. We can supply all the different variants and all the accessories. Bayonets, scopes, bipods, high-capacity magazines, grenade launchers. You name it, we've got it."
"I need four cases containing a mix of each as previously discussed. What about those G36s that some of your men are holding?" the Albanian mob boss pointed behind me.
Glancing over my shoulder, then back at Kadri, running a hand smoothly over my silvery white hair, I stated, "I'm afraid we don't sell those to outsiders."
Kadri grunted slightly, "Fair enough. Here's half of the money upfront," a burly man came forward with a black duffle bag. The bag was given to one of Aleksandr's men, who immediately placed it on the hood of one of our vehicles and began quickly checking the contents with another man.
"The next shipment comes in next week," Aleksandr stated. Nodding, the Albanian asked, "Sure I can't interest you guys in some of our merchandise? Just got a fresh case from Mexico."
"We don't deal with poison! Everyone knows that the Cartel's coke is laced with fentanyl and levamisole. I've repeatedly told García that I don't want him or his shit in my city!" I spat on the floor.
Holding up his hands in front of him, "Sorry for asking, but you know how keen Mr. García has been to expand into Aelbank City. He's just hoping to be able to do business with you in the future."
Another clicking sound from my mouth was heard, "Unless he plans to trade with something else, there's no business for the Mexican cartel here, he knows this!"
"Noted," Kadri said before he and his men packed up and drove out of the warehouse.
Walking over to the duffle bag, Aleksandr began taking out stacks of money, which he placed into the empty aluminium suitcases provided by Vincent.
"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Dominic," the Russian said with a smile before adding, "we'll need to keep an eye on the Albanians and the Mexican cartel. Somer's Point is only fifty miles away. Don't want their shit falling back onto us."
"Way ahead of you, Tolstoy, way ahead of you," I murmured.