NALEDI’S POV
I must have heard wrongly. Because this fucker did not just tell me he faked his own freaking death.
“You don’t believe me?” Nicolai got up from the stool, pacing around my chair. “We don’t have time but I figured if I am to get you to trust me, then I need to be transparent. We are going to be partners after all.”
He dragged his stool closer to the couch I was placed upon and resumed speaking.
“You see, when I walked out on that fool Luka for trying to get more people in on our deal, I knew it was only a matter of time before he came for me. So I was freaking prepared.”
“As expected, Luka crossed the line and before the day was out, sent his vampire minions to take away my life and thankfully, my witches were right there.”
My eyes widened, “You also have witches?”
He chuckled, “Believe it or not, there’s more from where that came from. Caellum believes that he is hiding the existence of witches from the supernatural world but that is a lie.”
“I have spent my years rearing the witches,” He corrected himself when he saw the look on my face, “For lack of a better word. I have them trained in numbers, much more than he could ever have.”
For some reason, that struck a chord. What exactly did this man want from me?
“After I escaped death at the hands of Luka, I decided if I wanted to make a move on him, I’d prefer he thought I was dead. I got the witches to adulterate the memories of his vampires, planted a body and created big news around its discovery.”
“That was surprisingly all it took to convince the underworld that I had passed at the hands of Luka Donatello. While he continued his little business with the Yakuza’s, I plotted the best way to hurt him, and did some digging.”
His eyes brightened as he gauged me, “You will never believe what one can find with thorough digging and the right amount of help.”
“What do you want from me?” I gritted, tired of his philosophical talks.
He shook his head. “I think the right question should be what do you want from me, Naledi. What can I offer you? How can I play a role in settling the long-standing beef you have with Arturo Morello?”
I couldn’t sit still. Without a thought, I struggled to sit up, feeling searing pain and immobility but refusing to give in to it. “What are you talking about?” I gritted, finally sitting up.
“I warned you to conserve your strength, Naledi.” He tutted, “I know about the exterminated Roger pack. I also know how Caellum’s father, Alpha Arturo Morello single-handedly murdered the inhabitants of the growing roger pack.” His eyes settled in on me, “And much recently, I learned the Alpha’s seven-year-old daughter, the only survivor of the massacre, sold and trained by the dreaded Yakuza mafia, was none other than Amara Cordel. Or should I say, Naledi Rogers.”
Hearing him speak so easily of my ancestry made my blood boil. “Good fucking job, Nicolai. You figured me out. Was I supposed to be surprised by my own life history?”
“Far from it.” He held a loft of my hair. “I recounted your history because that makes you my perfect partner. You see, the Cosa Nostra and I have a bone to pick. And when I mean the Cosa Nostra, I mean Caellum.”
“Of course, I realise that you have a special relationship with Caellum Morello, but I figured I couldn’t let things be without at least presenting you an opportunity to get even with the Cosa Nostra pack that took your family away from you at a young age.”
“If you believe you are past that and want to walk into the sunset with your terrific mate then I will take it as a no, I’ll send you right back to the Mansion and you can forget this meeting ever happened.”
“But if you want to get even, and avenge the exterminated Roger pack, your family, from the sad end that befell them, then you would want to partner with me.” He stretched forth his hand. “What do you say, Naledi Rogers? Are you willing to become my partner? Are you willing to work with me and avenge your lost tribe?”
I didn’t speak. My mind felt chaotic as memories of the said night passed in a blur. I might not remember the full events of the night, but I sure remembered the disaster it made in my life.
And I had never been a forgiving person.
However, I couldn’t make a decision yet. Not when I was in this state. Not when that was exactly what he wanted. I needed to be alone, and that necessitated my answer.
“How long do you plan on keeping me here?” My breath was harsh, “Believe it or not, it’s only a matter of time before Caellum or the others find that I am missing. I’ll only say this once.” My eyes were hard and unmoving. “Let. Me. Go.”
We remained in silence as Nicolai gauged me. Despite the pain I felt, I refused to waver. It was either he let me go or he didn’t. But one way or the other, I was going to get out of here. I knew it in my guts.
“You were never a captive, Naledi.” He broke the silence, wearing a smile I considered fake. “I’ll take that to mean you don’t like negotiating under duress. So I’ll let you go now.”
He got up from the stool with his hands in his pockets. “I’ll give you time to think about it. The next time we meet, I’ll be expecting a response. You must understand you can’t tell anyone about our meeting today.”
I sneered, “And if I do?”
“You shouldn’t.” He said with a smile but his eyes were a threat,
I felt a shiver go down my spine. I had no idea what this man was capable of. And a part of me, a secret part of me didn’t want to.
I’ve been through enough traumas as is.
“Till we meet again, Naledi. Think it through.” He turned towards the door, “You can come in now.”
I didn’t hear them come in. I suddenly felt my body weaken and soon enough, darkness took me.