Dimitri
Flying into Athens in my private jet was a routine, but it never lost its allure. The jet itself was a custom Gulfstream G650, sleek and cutting through the sky with a quiet grace that belied the speed at which we traveled. Inside, it was an epitome of luxury—Italian leather seats, a private area with hand-carved mahogany tables, and the latest in-flight technology. I traveled in style, but it was never about indulgence. Efficiency, power, and control—these were the reasons I insisted on such arrangements. When you are a Stavros, time is money, and I had neither to waste.
The crew knew my preferences by heart. I didn't need to ask for anything. A freshly brewed cup of Greek coffee sat waiting for me the moment I stepped into the jet's cabin. My pilot, a former military officer, gave a brief nod as I entered, fully aware that his skills were what kept us moving through the skies with precision. My flight attendant, perfectly professional in her tailored uniform, made sure the cabin was as quiet and serene as I liked. No unnecessary conversation, no disturbances—just how I preferred it.
As the plane descended over the Aegean Sea, I glanced out of the window. The blue waters and sun-soaked coastline were always a sight to behold, but I wasn't in Greece for pleasure. I had work to do. Stavros Conglomerate didn't run itself, and though I managed operations in the U.S., this meeting required my direct involvement. I made it a point to return home every few months to touch base with my brothers and oversee our empire.
When the jet touched down, the transition was seamless. A black, armored Mercedes awaited me on the tarmac, engine purring softly as my driver opened the door. Security was discreet but ever-present. I had a tight schedule, and there was no time for delays. Within minutes, I was being whisked away to our headquarters, the city of Athens sprawling beneath us.
The Stavros office in Athens was nothing short of magnificent—towering glass walls overlooking the Aegean Sea, polished marble floors, and handcrafted furniture that whispered wealth and power. It was a reflection of our family—opulent, commanding, and unyielding. I'd just flown in from the U.S. for this meeting, and even after all these years, walking into our headquarters still stirred something in me. This was our empire.
Alexandros and Pavlos were already seated when I arrived. The three of us had been raised to lead and control, and though we had our differences, there was an unspoken understanding between us. We knew our roles. The Stavros Conglomerate was ours to protect and expand.
"We've got great news about the expansions in Germany and Canada," Alexandros said, leaning back in his chair, his face relaxed but eyes sharp. "Our recent investments in the tech sector have paid off. Shares have surged, and it looks like we'll be dominating the European market by the end of the year."
Pavlos nodded in agreement. "The partnerships we've formed with the smaller companies have given us leverage. They were more receptive to our terms than expected. It's good news all around."
I glanced at the report in front of me, taking in the details of our various ventures. Tech, real estate, manufacturing—we had our hands in everything, and failure wasn't an option. Not for us.
"What about the new project in the U.S.?" I asked, turning my focus to the expansion I'd been overseeing personally. "Any concerns on your end?"
Alexandros shook his head. "Everything's moving smoothly. We've integrated the operations well, and our partnerships there are solid. No issues, just steady growth."
I nodded, satisfied. It was what I expected. "Good. Keep it that way."
We continued discussing our various enterprises—stocks, mergers, upcoming deals. It was all part of the game, and we were always playing to
win. The Stavros name wasn't just a brand—it was a legacy, and every venture we took on had to be handled with care and precision.
Then Pavlos brought up something that had been on our radar for a while. "We've also been in talks with a company out of New York—Carter Wave Solutions. One of their divisions aligns well with our operations in the renewable energy sector. Their father, Mikeson Carter, recently stepped down from the company, and our people have been in touch with their executives to work out a partnership. It's nothing major yet, but it could be useful to us."
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. "Carter Wave Solutions? I've heard of them. They're good at what they do, especially in green tech. But I haven't been too involved with that side of the business. Who's running the company now?"
Pavlos flipped through his notes. "Not sure. The old man stepped down recently. Could be one of his sons, or maybe a business partner. Whoever it is, they've kept things tight and efficient."
That made sense. I'd always assumed a company of that scale would be led by a seasoned businessman, someone with experience and a solid track record. "And we're dealing directly with their executive team, not the owner?"
"Correct," Alexandros confirmed. "Our point of contact is their head of operations. We haven't had any issues so far, so it's all moving smoothly. I didn't see any need to get you involved until the deal solidified."
"Good," I said, my tone even. "I'm not worried about it then. If it becomes significant, let me know."
In truth, I wasn't particularly concerned with who owned or ran Carter Wave Solutions. At least, not yet. It was a smaller partnership, not one that required my direct attention. My team handled these deals regularly, and I trusted their judgment. If something more pressing came up, I'd step in, but for now, it was just another business relationship.
Alexandros moved the conversation along, shifting focus back to our latest real estate acquisitions. But as we talked, a part of my mind stayed on the partnership with Carter Wave Solutions. It was a solid company, and we could benefit from aligning our renewable energy efforts with theirs.
That wasn't going to be a problem, at least, that was what I thought..