NALEDI’S POV
I felt his presence long before my eyes met his. “I’m fine.”
Caellum approached me with worried eyes. Despite the frosty aura around him, I could feel his worry tip into me. Another one of those mate things I presumed.
“Luka is onto you.” He said as soon as he got to my face, tracing my form with painful eyes. “He doesn’t trust you.” I resisted the urge to tell him I’d just heard him say it some seconds ago.
The last thing I needed was a repeat. I thought we agreed I was taking care of this on my own. Why was he here so early?
“Then I am going to have to convince him.” I managed to say, stepping out of his hold. “Is the money ready?”
Caellum gave me a look that told me he couldn’t believe I was saying that.
“Of course, but I figured if he didn’t trust you, and he’s well after your money, you shouldn’t be so liberal towards him.”
“It’s five million dollars. I doubt it’ll take a point off your account. You’ll survive.” I said in a joking tone, knowing it was a serious business.
“When it has to do with bastards like Luka, you can’t be reckless. I already -”
“Can we speak in my room?” I asked, feeling my blood boil.
One look at me and he knew he crossed the line. He nodded and I led the way. As soon as we got to the room, he shut the door behind me. I turned to make my case but he met my lips in a kiss.
I melted in his arms, letting him do the one thing I’d expected him to do the moment he walked in. I couldn’t deny my disappointment when he decided to talk business off the bat.
We disengaged and his eyes were clear as day. Worry in them. “Are you alright?” He asked again, and I nodded, swallowing the bile in my throat.
I was not alright. And he knew it too. But for some reason, he decided it was better left unsaid, and I silently thanked him for that.
“We agreed you will give me free rule.” I reminded him, getting back to the topic on hand.
He nodded, “And you have free rule.”
“I’d like for you to trust me. Let me handle this my own way.” I said in a firm tone.
“He’s dealing with the Japanese mafia pack.” Caellum said, “They are fucking bad news. I don’t feel comfortable letting you walk around him knowing he’s unto you and can do anything he darned pleases when he feels.”
Hearing him mention the Yakuza’s brought chills to my skin. If only he knew. If only he knew the horrors I’d gone through at their hands. I knew first-hand how brutal the Yakuza’s were in their business.
The moment I heard that fucker mention how he was selling them women to the devil, the job became a lot more personal to me. “I heard.” My tone was snappy. “I need to gain his trust and get in on the real team. And withholding money isn’t going to get me there.”
Caellum spoke calmly. “Your money is your power. The moment you give it away, what makes you think he wouldn’t kill or sell you off?”
“He wouldn’t.” I was confident. “He couldn’t. Just get me the money and I’ll have the rest handled.”
Luka was a persistent man. Seeing he was after my money and a little bit of action even if he didn’t say so himself, I was going to give it to him. Vampire or not, he was still a male, a greedy one might I add.
Flash him some money and assure him there’s more where that came from should be enough to buy me time to figure out how to win his trust. It was only when I won his trust I would be able to truly deal with him.
“The money is at your disposal.” Caellum gritted, “But bear in mind that I will be coming after him in my own way.”
His tone told me there was no two ways about that. I could understand he felt insulted by Luka, but I wondered if there was any other reason he was so adverse against Luka’s new business.
Let’s face it. He was the head of the Cosa Nostra. I hardly imagine what he did was a stone’s throw away from Luka’s business. But I was going to take it one at a time.
Speak of the devil and he shows up. My ringtone blared, and much to my surprise, it was Luka. I fought the hatred that clouded my heart at the sight of his name.
“Hello,” My tone was even.
“Amara! Love, how are you doing?”
“You didn’t call me to exchange pleasantries, did you?” I couldn’t help the tone.
“Oh dear, is it a crime to check on my woman?”
“It isn’t. Only that I am not your woman.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
A small laugh, “If that makes you sleep at night.”
“I presume you have something for me?” I was getting impatient.
“I should be asking you that question, love. I’m yet to receive a word from you like you said.”
A smirk graced my face. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours and he was already desperate for money. One would think with his big payout, he’d have enough on his hands.
“You know, it takes a lot to run the business, and I need all hands on deck,” He continued, “Of course, you don’t need to show up here, I can send someone over to yours and he’ll deliver your message just fine.”
My eyes widened at the prospect of him sending someone to me. I couldn’t risk it. If Caellum’s expression was anything to go by, we shared the same thoughts.
“I’ll come to you.” I said in a resignatory tone, “Two pm will be fine for me.”
“Sweet. A lunch date with my woman. I should pick you up.”
“I’ll be coming from the bank. Text the address.” I ended the call, stopping any further conversation.
Caellum had a rabid look in his eyes. I guess I better get prepared for another day with the devil. Yay me.