Page 18 of Power

He remained silent for the remainder of the ride. Just a few minutes later, I arrived at the restaurant, where chaos overflowed onto the narrow sidewalk outside.

The restaurant was a cozy and intimate place, so the commotion spilling onto the street didn’t surprise me.

As we hopped out of the car, I scanned the sea of people, trying to make sense of the situation. Through the windows of the restaurant, I homed in on the faces of two members of prominent syndicate families. Their presence only fueled my suspicion that this chaos might be centered around me.

“I see the eldest Polus and Manolis,” Iason pointed out as we approached the crowd gathered outside to watch the chaos inside. “They’ve hated each other since they were kids.”

“Yeah, they’re going at it,” I replied, just as the eldest Polus son swung his fist, connecting forcefully with the nose of myhead chef, who happened to have gotten in the way as the fight moved in the direction of the kitchen.

Frustration boiled over, and I yelled, “Goddammit!” I pushed through the crowd and rushed into the restaurant.

Inside, pandemonium reigned.

Men were grappling with one another, while some customers and the staff huddled in the corner in fear.

My heart sank at seeing my beloved restaurant now a battlefield. Splintered chairs and shattered dishes were strewn across the floor, and all I could envision was the financial toll each broken piece represented.

Fury bubbled within me, and I needed to know who was behind this madness. I searched the room, finding Alex and the rest of the staff, who stood watching the chaos unfold. Relief washed over Alex’s face when he spotted me and hurried over.

“Leon, should I call the cops? You told me to contact you first, and?—”

“No,” I interrupted. “Just guide the customers out through the back door and apologize. Tell them they can dine free for a year once we’ve sorted this mess out. I’ll handle these assholes.”

“I’ll help,” Iason chimed in, fists clenched at his sides, ready for action. “Who do I punch first?”

“Nobody,” I replied. Determined to end the chaos, I grabbed an intact chair, climbed onto it, and took a deep breath. I shouted with all the authority I could muster, my voice cutting through the clamor. “Enough!”

To my surprise, it succeeded. Fists lost their force in theair, chairs were returned to the floor instead of being smashed over heads, and all eyes shifted toward me.

I quickly evaluated the crowd, identifying nearly all as sons of the Polus and Manolis families. Since I regard the Manolises as my allies, I could only conclude that the oldest Polus had instigated this conflict.

“Who wants to explain why you’re trashing my restaurant?” I yelled.

Nektarios Polus stepped up, dismissing my presence. He had been a scrawny kid years ago, but now he loomed over me like a giant. His shoulders were broad, and his biceps resembled melons. His face contorted into an ugly grimace as he glared at me. He’d taken quite a hit, and his left eye was rapidly swelling.

“This is all your fault!” He hurled the accusation at me.

I arched an eyebrow. “What have I done to warrant an assault on my staff and customers? Are you such a coward that you can’t face me directly?”

I leaped off the chair, landing in front of him, staring him down.

“I’m here now, Polus,” I stated.

Iason approached, planting his feet wide apart, fists clenched and coiled like springs ready to unleash a storm. Unaware of the chaos brewing, Polus continued to taunt, playing with fire as his words ignited tension. Iason, my business partner and steadfast protector, radiated a menacing energy, a clear warning that he could unleash fury if provoked.

But I could too.

“You’ve drawn your line in the sand, Boscos. Now you have to suffer the consequences.”

“And what line is that?”

“Don’t play innocent! Everyone knows what you’re planning!”

“Outside of another restaurant, Polus? Please tell me what plans I’ve made that warrant you beating the shit out of each other in my restaurant.”

“When you suggested marrying a Vitalis,” he started, standing amidst the debris, perfectly upright in his charcoal suit as if he had orchestrated the entire scene, “you made it clear to everyone where your loyalty stands. You picked a side. Now, anyone who enters your restaurants is endorsing your decision, every choice you make.”

I clenched my fists. “That’s ridiculous. You know it.”

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