NALEDI’S POV
“Luka Donatello.” Caellum dropped a file on the centre table.
His right hand held a drink and the other slid into his pocket.
“One of the rising businessmen in Italy. He has done himself well, too well if you ask me.” He dropped his empty glass. “Your job is to know everything there is about him and this weekend, you will approach him as a business partner, looking to invest.”
“You will be given a new name, personality, business, family, guards, you name it.” He sat on his chair. “Everything you need will be provided. You just have to play the part and deliver. At the end of your meeting with him, you must become his business partner.”
I took up the file and read through it. Everything about the man was stated there. His age, residence, secret houses, their locations, pictures of his many hotels, clubs, and an underground ring.
Boy was he rich.
With my brief assessment of him, and the net worth of 30 billion dollars he boasted of, I wondered why Caellum decided to hand this job over to me. He would make a good partner if he went himself.
Unless there was something he wasn’t telling me.
“He’s got impressive stats. Why don’t you meet him yourself? He would be more than willing to work with the famous Caellum Morello. Except there’s something more you hope to achieve with this. Something you are not telling me.”
“Good thing I am the boss around here, and your job is to do as I say, not to ask silly questions.”
“If I am going to do anything. Anything at all. I’d like to know exactly what I am walking into. I don’t know if you’ve found that I hate surprises. Expecially one that is capable of wrecking my life.”
Caellum watched me with suspicion. It seemed like he was having a hard time deciding whether to give me more details or not.
‘No. I don’t trust you.’ His words the other day chorused in my head.
“He is a Vampire Lord in the mafia business.” Caellum cleared his throat. “I need to figure out exactly what business he does these days and why he is looking for more secret investors under my nose.”
He was insecure. Who knew?
“A vampire who leads a business in the woman world. Interesting. Anything else?”
“Try not to fail me.”
His words were not a plea. They were a warning. One I didn’t take lightly.
“Korah would go with you and everything you need will be given to you in due time.” He resumed his work, flipping through some papers.
A thrill of excitement coursed through me.
“When do I leave?”
He looked up at me. “Tomorrow.”
I nodded, and turned to leave when he suddenly spoke.
“One more thing.” I stopped in my tracks. “I’m choosing to trust you. You’d really hate to disappoint me.”
*****
I was done listening to Caellum’s poorly hidden threats.
When I got to my room, true to his words, everything I needed was provided. Marcus, my new partner-in-crime, accomplice and bodyguard was already at the door, waiting to brief me on the said mission.
“We will be living in a Manor in town.” He explained when I asked why my suitcase was being packed by Korah.
Did I fail to mention Korah was here?
“Since you would be posing as a bi-racial billionaire who came into town to seek places to invest her hard-earned money, we made preparations down to the clothes you wear. All we need is for you to play the part.”
“Tell me you didn’t pick out my clothes.” I gasped.
“I am aware of the fact you don’t look too favourably on people picking out your clothes, so today, you would be getting the job done.”
Marcus just saved his life. He was two seconds from the land of no return just now.
I clasped my hands. “Great! Let’s go mission shopping!”
That was all it took. We went out of the premises, and for the first time, I wasn’t blindfolded. I guess Caellum was serious about his words to trust me.
I soon found out we were in Sicily. That was after a long drive out of the Cosa Nostra premises. We had gone through bushes for a solid two hours. In between I took some much-needed naps because it was a punishment to stay up that long, looking at never-ending trees.
My eyes opened as soon as we got into the city. It was easy to know following the sight of human activities and life. Everything was perfect, and I yearned to mix up with the unknowing humans once again.
Settle in the midst of them, make some friends and who knows, maybe find some man to spend the rest of my life after I dealt with Caellum for what his Pack did to mine.
I pushed those thoughts at the back of my mind and decided to focus on the task at hand. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“My my… is that a walk-in Balenciaga store?” We parked in front of the building and Marcus opened the door.
I stepped out like a woman hopelessly in love. I sniffed the air, and everything dripped luxury. The sweetest smell in the world after money. And that was rich, coming from a wolf who had smelt her mate.
What can I say, I love me my good stuff.
I charged into the store, ready to take it when Marcus suddenly stood in front of me like a brick wall. Pushing me towards the direction of our parked car.
“What is wrong with you?” I gritted, refusing to budge.
“Please stay still, My lady.” His tone told me something was wrong.
Immediately, I felt the pistol hidden beautifully on my waist. If something was about to happen, then I would be ready.
“Step aside.” A familiar voice said to Marcus, who refused to budge.
“I have been commanded to protect the lady with my life.” Marcus was breathing threat and danger. “I suggest you walk away. This is our territory. Trying anything funny would not only endanger your life but you would be pissing off the Alpha.”
The silence was tense, cutting. I wanted to know who it was. But I couldn’t, seeing other members formed a wall around me. Did they think I was some damsel in distress? I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you.
I pushed my way to the front, and that was when I saw him. Alek Volkov. My former Employer.
A dazzling smirk graced his lips as soon as he saw me. He looked up at the store and then at me, holding an amused glint in his eyes.
“Caellum sure knows the way to the heart,” He tsked. “You’ve always had a thing for luxury, baby.”