<><><> A week later <><><>
— Prostitution is legal in Turkey, just like in Greece — says Tadeus — We pay their social security and send money to their families. Everybody wins.
— Let me see what you've got — says Egan.
Tadeus gestures to one of his men at the door, who opens it to let in a line of women wearing only white lingerie and silver heels. Most are tall and athletic. — They're beautiful. Maybe I'll take a few for our facilities.
— Then we can reach an agreement. I hope you have everything you need to take care of them.
— There are only fifteen; we have plenty of space for them — replies Bastian.
— They have access to the gym, full board, and adequate rest hours so they can recover — says Tadeus — That's why they look so beautiful and delicate. They're like flowers, they need a lot of care.
The Raptis brothers remain silent for a few seconds, watching them, until Bástian says — All right. What do you want?
— Sixty percent of the profits they generate after deductions.
— Fifty — Egan proposes.
— Please take them to the hotel. Let them rest before the flight — Tadeus orders one of his men.
— Wait, wait… — Egan says with a smile. He steps closer and places his hands on Tadeus' arms — I thought we were trying to negotiate.
— The deal is done if you accept my terms — Tadeus says. He smiles too, trying to maintain a firm and determined demeanor.
— If he's asking for sixty percent, there must be a lot of money involved — Bastian says, patting his brother on the shoulder to keep him at a distance from the Coyote.
— Half of them are dancers, too.
— Done — says Bástian. One of Tadeus' men brings a couple of documents to the table, which everyone signs. A copy is handed to the Raptis brothers, and the evening continues at one of the bars.
Tadeus feels a little uneasy because Gustaph isn't there, but he plays the part, trying not to drink too much — So I found her in her mother's filthy apartment, and you see, I had to slap her in the face to get her to stop screaming. When she woke up, she was already engaged to me, and there was nothing to be done — says Bástian with a laugh — That's the only time I've ever hit a woman; I assure you your 'princesses' will be fine.
Tadeus tries to laugh, but decides to take a drink instead to cover his mouth. — What about you, do you have a wife too? — Egan asks — Or are you leaning more to the other side?
— I wouldn't say 'leaning', more like… fully immersed — Tadeus replies. Suddenly, his stomach drops when he recognizes Charles' face among the people ordering at the bar — If you'll excuse me for a moment… — his gaze fixed on the man. He watches him walk with two drinks through the crowd on the dance floor until he reaches his sister.
His heart races, and he rushes toward her — Yenedith, what are you doing here!
— Tadeus, it's so good to see you! — Yenedith says with a wide smile and hugs him.
— What are you doing here? Why are you in Greece?! — Tadeus asks, turning to Charles.
— It's a business trip, for the franchises, — Charles says — She just wanted to come have fun for one night; she's been really stressed out.
Tadeus clenches his teeth and grabs his sister by the arm, dragging her out of the club — Of all the fucking damn bars!
— Oh, my God, what a killjoy! — she complains.
— Don't you get it? I'm on business!
— I'm sorry, sir, I didn't know — says Charles. Tadeus knocks him off balance with a punch to the jaw.
— What's wrong with you! — Yenedith screams.
Tadeus keeps punching him in the face over and over until his knuckles are covered in blood. Yenedith tries to pull her brother away, in tears because Charles isn't even trying to defend himself.
When the Gray Coyote stands up, the two men escorting him step forward to help Charles up from the ground — I don't want to see you near her — Tadeus says, breathing heavily — How much longer do you have left on your trip?
— A week — Yenedith murmurs.
— How long are you going to be here, girl?
— A WEEK! — she says with tears of anger in her eyes.
— Edgar is going to escort you from now on. She's not going anywhere I don't approve of! — Tadeus orders — And you, keep him out of my sight.
— What are you going to do with him? — Yenedith asks. Tadeus cleans his hands with a handkerchief he pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket and steps closer to his sister to wipe the tears from her face — Don't cry, stop crying — he scolds her — You're going to give me a heart attack at this age — Tadeus hugs her for several seconds, then pulls away to wipe her forehead and cheeks with the palms of his hands — Go to sleep and don't be mad at me, okay?
— Eat shit. You fucking lunatic.
<><><> NOVEMBRE <><><>
On the flight back, Tadeus watches the news with Gustaph on the screen in the seat across from him. "The body was found dismembered, and the person's identity was revealed in the last few hours. It is Brando Peña, a twenty-nine-year-old man who had been reported missing since October 25th when he failed to return home after a costume party at his workplace. Joining me now is Brando's father, Mr.…"
Tadeus feels a terrifying spasm run through his body as his stomach sinks. — Are you okay? — Gustaph asks.
— I'm going to the bathroom — Tadeus gets up from his chair and walks toward the bathroom, where he breaks down in tears. After half an hour locked in the bathroom, Pine knocks on the door until he opens it, and Tadeus clings to his embrace for comfort.
As they're getting off the plane on the way back, Tadeus sees Edwin waving with both hands from the entrance to the airport building, and his expression immediately falls — I'm sure you knew about this.
— I would have told you to come back on another flight.
— It's been so long since I've seen you, son. Come give your father a hug! — Edwin says, without waiting for a response — Give me a moment with my son, Gustaph
— Of course, sir — the senator replies.
— I've already made deals with Turkey and Greece, and I also got them to accept women in both places. What more do you want from me? — Tadeus says once they're in the car — Yenedith wasn't supposed to live at your house anymore after the contract with Kötü Olan. And now you're sending her to Greece, too?
— She just went to check on the company's business. I know how sensitive you are about her; I wouldn't lie to you about it.
— Bastard — Tadeus mutters under his breath.
They both arrive at the mansion around lunchtime and sit on the rooftop while the food is served at the table.
— I thought Gustaph would be here to talk about my trip to Greece.
— This is a different matter.
— What now?
— I need you to do me a favor — he says. The White Coyote pulls a photo out of a folder and slides it across the table to Tadeus — We were just talking about continuing to expand across Europe.
— Yeah.
— I managed to make contact with the French organization through Gustaph, but…
— They want to talk to the real boss.
— Exactly, that's where you come in — says Edwin — The problem is that their leader saw you at the auction kissing The Animal in the hallways, so he's not going to believe you're Coyote, and I don't even want to think that maybe he knows you're my son if he knows some young guy is representing this old dog.
— Then you go. What's the problem?
— Just one night, that's all he's asking for so he doesn't cut off contact with us.
— How dare you ask me to do something like that? Don't you have any respect for your own son?
— He's in the country, in another city, but if you fly, you'll arrive tonight at the hotel where he's staying.
— No.
— Don't feel bad; no one else knows you're my son. I can't risk him seeing my face. I'll kill him later, and your reputation will remain intact by the time you take my place.
Tadeus snorts, clenching his fists on his lap, but keeps his voice and expression under control — Kill him right now, because I won't do it.
Before Edwin can say anything else, Tadeus gets up from his chair.