NALEDI’S POV
“I slept in. My apologies.” I said to Caellum who looked everything but upset. “What do we have here?”
“Let’s find out.” Caellum led us inside the building and I felt a sense of intrigue as I passed the steel doors.
Soon enough, we got to a hall, with people seated in front of a table with white substances and a wooden ruler.
“This is where the goods are packaged.” Caellum lectured, “We are known for the best dope in the market. I personally see to it that everything is of the best quality for our customers. Matteo is my second eye on the business.”
Matteo joined us as soon as he noticed our presence. “Alpha.” He greeted Caellum, and we exchanged curt nods.
I couldn’t help feeling the antagonistic vibes that rolled off him in bouts.
“Beta Matteo here will be working with you.” Caellum started, “You will be in charge of handling the distribution of the goods. The beta will assign some workers to you, while you ensure I get my money.”
I nodded my head, understanding the task handed over to me. I walked forward, taking a closer look as the workers bagged the white substance after measuring them with a wooden ruler and placing them in a little bag.
They packaged the dope in dozens, packing them into a pile on their work table, oblivious or uncaring of the things happening around them. They didn’t even acknowledge the Alpha.
“They are so dedicated to their job.” I muttered under my breath, “How long do they work?”
“Round in shifts. There are hostel facilities in this building so as soon as they are done with their respective shifts, they are able to relax and do whatever it is they want.”
Interesting.
“So where do I start?” I said eager to begin my job.
“I’ll let Matteo deal with that. Korah will work as your right hand.” Caellum explained, I could tell he was close to discharging me.
I shook my head, “We haven’t talked money. You don’t expect me to work without a clear statement of what I get, do you?”
A raised brow. “You get 30 percent of the amount realised from your outings.”
“Outings?”
“You will lead a part of the distribution crew, and get familiar with the business and our partners on the streets.” His eyes narrowed down at me, “Think you can do it?”
“Forty percent.” Caellum looked confused. “I get forty percent of whatever sales I make on the streets. And that’s a non-negotiable.”
A smirk found its way to his lips. “Forty it is.”
We shook on it and he left me with Korah and Matteo.
“The men assigned to you went for a pickup.” Beta Matteo started and I felt that animosity yet again.
“Do we have a problem?” I asked when I couldn’t take it anymore. “Beta Matteo?”
“My Lady.” He pulsed his lips, bowing his head. For some reason, I found that mocking, far from respectful.
My mouth formed an oh, “Are you still shaken about the kiss?”
He didn’t answer. That meant yes in my books.
“You see, I was trying to get back at the Alpha, you just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” I said, trying and failing to hide my amusement.
Just what in God’s name possessed me to kiss him? He wasn’t even that attractive. I could barely remember how the kiss was. It was that quick. Or rather, insignificant.
“I understand.” Matteo met my eyes, “The Alpha sent me on a mission that nearly cost me my life as a price for that. I learned my lesson.”
Matteo spoke too calmly for me to ascertain the mood and thinking behind his words. I knew that Caellum was crazy, but sending his Beta on a journey that could have cost his life because I decided to use him to get to him has got to be the worst thing I’ve heard in a minute.
I shrugged, “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I never intended any harm.” I stretched out my hand, “Peace?”
He took it. “Your men are around. I’ll quickly introduce them to you, shall we?”
Matteo led the way out of the building where I met the men assigned to me. Left for me, I’d prefer to work alone, or most, with Korah, but with my experience dealing with men from the underworld, I figured I would need a lot more manpower to successfully establish my dominance and be taken seriously – especially as a woman.
In this male-dominated business, it wasn’t unheard of for people to look down on women and downright bully them in the business. I had enough of that in my time with the Yakuza.
Hell will freeze before I allowed a repeat of that shit. Besides, I had a heavy forty percent on the line. Money made me happy, lots and lots of it. And since I was stuck here till the darned full moon, I was going to take every opportunity to make money by the horn.
No questions asked.
The day was still young, which meant I still had time to make some money before the day ran out. When Matteo informed me of a delivery to a certain Don Hawkins, I took it on and hit the roads.
Sicily was a beautiful city. Driving around it in a luxury jeep made the experience a lot more unforgettable. We moved in a convoy and stopped at a bar. I looked around the place and caught a feel of it.
Money. A lot of money to be made.
We stepped out of the car with Korah beside me and a couple of others from the headquarters. My crew. We walked into the bar and took a seat on the stools by the bartender’s stand.
As expected, the place was empty of people. They had been informed of my coming. They were to receive quite a large quantity and I had been given strict orders to get the money in cash before handing over the goods.
“Get me Don Hawkings,” I said to the bartender who looked nothing like a bartender and more like a thug.
“Who’s asking?” He gritted, giving me the stink eye I hate so much.
I didn’t waste my breath on him. My eyes connected with Korah who showed him the Cosa Nostra ring on her finger before she spoke. “Get us Don Hawkings.”