Achillas Ibrahim sat with his number two the beautiful Russian Inessa Nikitin. They always had a forty-five minute, no more, no less strategy meeting at 06:00. Achilles was a titan of Egyptian wealth, power, and prominence, so much so that in his business dealings he was simply referred to as 'The Egyptian. 52years old his business enterprise was a conglomerate of inherited wealth from his shipping empire and his portfolio of expensive works of art and ownership and control of precious metal bullion rights and extensive property portfolios in most European capitals.
Although outwardly presenting as a powerful conglomerate of respected brands the bulk of his power and influence came from his operations in the criminal world. He had a reach into any business that dealt with the extortion of the common person and where their excesses lay, extortion, gambling, sex trafficking, pornography, drugs. In these areas in which he operated he also ensured the three key pillars of local government, law enforcement and central government to ensure he could control any potential problems. He was careful too of any rival actors that potentially compete in his areas of interest and expansion. He certainly had the banking and financial influence to manage funding potential acquisitions. He fostered the right network to achieve his ambitions but was ruthless too. His one and only weakness was the occasional sadistic need for his sexual outlet that in part serviced by the availability of suitable females via the sex trafficking channel. He was however quite particular so a lot of the sex trade for prostitution revenues were unsuitable for his purpose.
He was aided and abetted by the most unlikely of number 2 candidates, a beautiful Russian thirty-six-year-old who was both a fully qualified legal barrister but also had a professional accounting qualification and several MBA degrees, supremely intelligent with an aristocratic background. A ruthless adversary in her own right at times she needed to be the objective target of his sexually sadistic needs if there was not another suitable alternative when the occasion arose. Herself with a strong sadistic tendency and in her twenties a BDSM dominatrix that usually involved having two female slaves as 'pets' to satisfy her own sexual needs as a lesbian.
"So, Pushkin what is the latest on our top three strategic goals?"
Pushkin was the term that Achillas used when he addressed Inessa, he knew she hated it but it was one of the many idiosyncrasies she had put up with. She had known Achillas for over twelve years and they had been a couple for a while and even too, lovers, whilst Inessa was working out that she was indeed a lesbian. In part the relationship had helped her realise that but also that in character they were both too self-centred and arguably both a narcissist, certainly Achillas was at the time. But it was Achillas that pushed Inessa to become a very proficient financial accountant in addition to her legal qualification. She had therefore become indispensable to him.
"On the question of the Turkish territory and plans for expansion into West Africa the situation may not be as hopeless as we thought."
"Oh?" Achillas ears pricked up. He knew well in situations keep silent and more information will inevitably materialise. Inessa continued.
"The death of Mustafacan Düzgün may not have been the end of the access to his resources and network which were to be key"
"Go on"
""Mesut Teke it seems gained the close confidence of Mustafacan.
At the end Mustafacan had transferred most of that knowledge to him and relied less on Mehmet who he lost confidence in. I followed up on your advice to find out if there was a token of good faith, they could provide to restore your confidence."
"And?"
"Do you recall discussing with Mustafacan about procuring a certain specific type of girl through his sex trafficking operation."
"Hmmmm yes, I might have mentioned a specific preference."
"And I told you before about sharing these private intimacies that could be used against you."
Achillas waved his hand impatiently,
Inessa raised her eyebrows and continued.
"Mesut has procured the girl, not just any girl the specifics you requested, a blond girl is most uncommon in Turkey as you might have guessed."
"It was a test yes, but as you know acquiring such a girl would give an outlet to that sadistic part of me you know well."
"Indeed, and potentially sparing me the need to satisfy it instead.
"Yes, yes" again the impatient hand waving.
"He secured the girl. It appears she was his girlfriend briefly when he was in England. Basically, she snubbed him, I don't know the details. He bought her at auction. They still have these high-class girl auctions for very rich clients. What Mustafacan failed to deliver to you he can. I assume this gets him in as he clearly has the funds to win the auction."
"We know who she is? From before?"
"Yes, we have a full profile of her. Turkish born. Emel Asokay, Mother Swedish, died when she was twelve. Father Norwegian a sailor still living. He sees her occasionally; they are close but are in different life cycles right now."
Achillas nods.
"Moved to England to escape the Düzgüns. Degree from Manchester University. Hired as a principal by the Devereaux corporation. Extremely effective in that role. It gets a bit sketchier after that, but somehow, she becomes the property of Sir Michael Braithwaite. For reasons unknown she is sold at Auction."
"And the price to me?"
"Free of course, a gift, to show you he can deliver in his end. It's a nice quarter million-dollar gift to you to get back a seat at the table."
"Excellent! When will she be delivered?"
"I will arrange it. Can I assume you will expect her to earn your affection. Previously she was treated like a daughter by her previous owner."
