Page 164 of Crimson Oath
Tatyana closed the folder with printouts of the prospectus that the new chief financial officer of Sokolov Industries handed to her.
“I don’t see any reason to think they willnotagree,” she said, “but of course, I will need to go over the details with my brother and sister.”
The middle-aged man nodded. “Of course, Miss Vorona. I would also add that structuring this trade complex outside Lublin this way is likely to bring outside investment that will benefit both parties. Since it will be a multiuse space, there has already been an inquiry from Wallace Enterprises about a longer-term hospitality complex.”
Wallace Enterprises becoming involved meant that Tatyana’s plan to build a vampire free-trade zone in cooperation with Oleg would have legs. Wallace was known for strict standards of neutrality, which would lend weight to promises by Oleg, the Poshani, and the Polish vampire court based in Krakow.
She stood and shook Bernard Lazareva’s hand before her guard Henrik saw the human out. Moments later, she was on-screen with Radu and Kezia.
“Did he agree to using Poshani labor contractors?” Kezia said. “I was on the phone with Polina about that last week.”
“Yes.” Tatyana held up a finger. “As long as at least half the management comes from Sokolov Industries.”
Radu nodded. “That’s standard for our contracts with them.”
Rebuilding the Poshani businesses without Vano was a little like reconstructing dinosaur bones. There were so many pieces missing, at times Tatyana felt like she was creating as much as she was recovering.
Add in a lot of dust and debris, and she had her work cut out for her.
Luckily, the bones of the organization were solid and the people left after Kezia and Radu’s purge of Vano loyalists were grateful to still be employed. Reconstructing things with the help of modern technology and improved logistics had turned the somewhat dire business enterprises of the clan around significantly in the past five months.
“What do you think of the new CFO?” Kezia asked. “As good as Elene?”
“No, but no one was ever going to be, especially with only three months experience,” Tatyana said. “He’s quick and he’s the right age. Good experience in international shipping, and I think that was the priority for them.”
In fact, she knew that had been the priority.
“It was a bit of flattery for him to negotiate personally for this contract,” Radu said.
“Agreed,” Tatyana said. “If Elene were still alive, one of her deputies would have been in this meeting.”
Radu nodded. “Go ahead and approve it if you’re satisfied,”he said. “I trust you.”
“I’ll have the lawyers look over everything then?” She looked at Kezia, who was often a harder sell.
“Let me think about it for a couple of nights,” Kezia said. “I want to read through it one more time. There are some political implications with putting it in Lublin.”
“Fair enough,” Tatyana said. “Sokolov can wait. I’ll look over the numbers once more too. Shall we schedule something for Thursday night?”
“That sounds good to me. Radu?”
“I am free Thursday after two in the morning.”
“Good.” Tatyana quickly scheduled an online meeting. “You’re getting a link now in your email.”
Both of them groaned.
“No arguments,” Tatyana said. “We agreed about this.”
“I hate the email,” Kezia said. “It’s so impersonal.”
“But much faster than human messenger.” She waved at both of them. “My mother made dinner for me, so I’m done for the night.”
“Say hello to her from me,” Radu said. “And tell her I need more of those ginger cookies she sent me.”
“Enjoy dinner. Good night.” Kezia’s screen went blank.
Tatyana waited for the connections to cut out before she closed her insulated laptop and waved at her assistant outside the conference room.
