NALEDI’S POV
I felt his gaze on me. Caellum’s.
I didn’t need to see him to know he was there. To know he was looking at me while I walked into the dancefloor with Alek. The dancefloor was cool, a few couples swayed together as they danced to the soft music.
“I told you,” Alek whispered, I didn’t know why he was whispering. “It was easy to get back at them.”
“Right now, Caellum wants to be me. So much he is willing to kill me to take my place.” We moved so closely, it felt wrong. “He is dying to be in my shoes but he can’t. He’s too busy for that.”
“Why are they here together?” I asked, “What deal are you trying to close?”
“The same deal that got me all up in Italy, having to put up with that prick.” I hated his choice of words and he knew it. “No offence.”
“I shouldn’t be telling you my business, but since you won’t rest until I speak anyway, there goes nothing.” The music played softly and our dance intensified. Swirls and turns while he explained his big business plan. “The man over there is a billionaire from the US.”
“He is also my ticket to getting my gold bars into Italy. If I can get him to approve the movement.” My face betrayed my confusion. “Other than the fact your Alpha is good with the connect, he also has a way of making people do his bidding.”
“Believe me or not, I have no idea what they intend to use in convincing the darned man to approve the movement from his position, but all I know is that by the end of this night, I should be able to do my thing without hindrance.”
I nodded in understanding, and we continued our dance. This time, I was able to catch his gaze on us. Caellum looked royally pissed and it tickled my feathers.
The nerve of him to look angry at my dancing with Alek when he was here with a whole other woman was baffling to me. Talk about the effrontery. Soon enough, the dancing was over and I returned to the bar with Alek by my side.
“So tell me, how is it being Caellum’s mate?” Alek had a lax smirk on his lips.
How was I supposed to answer that?
“Sometimes, I regret having invited you into the darned ball, Attai.” He spoke like he was reminiscing on his mistake. “Maybe your paths wouldn’t have crossed and you would still be with my pack.”
“I was always going to leave,” I said, it was the truth. “After having served my time with you, I knew I was not going to remain with the Bravta pack.”
“Why? Because you wanted revenge?”
Looking back I could see why he’d think that.
I nodded, “Because I wanted revenge and I wanted to find out who I was on the inside.”
He chuckled, “Well I’m sure Caellum hasn’t helped you figure that out. He gave you a new identity. His mate.” He sniffed, “You fucking reek of him.”
“Apparently that’s what getting a mark does to you. Brands you permanently.”
He shook his head, “A mark that hasn’t been reciprocated is not permanent.”
That caught my attention. “What do you mean?”
“If you don’t complete the circle, the mark fades and the bond loosens.” He said, and my jaws nearly hit the floor.
“What are you doing here?” Caellum finally joined us.
“Oh hey there.” I said with a faux smile, “Didn’t know you were here.”
“Drop the act.” He growled then turned towards Alek, “Did you bring her here?”
“Don’t be rude.” I snapped, “You have a woman standing alone amid other couples. Go to her.”
He stood there, giving me and Alek the look.
“I think she’s right. The last thing you want to do is appear like a fucking douchebag who leaves his wife alone to talk to others.” Alek gave his one cent in. “That is definitely not what our overtly religious client expects to see.”
Sure enough, the man in question returned to Donna’s side and Caellum looked caught between a rock and a hard place.
“You have some explaining to do.” Those were his parting words.
My heart squeezed as I watched him go to her, plastering a smile on his face and putting an arm over her shoulder. My eyes remained on the duo just in time to catch Donna stealing a gaze at us.
She fucking knew what she was doing. Business or not. I’ve had enough of it all.
“Excuse me,” I said, getting up and heading for the restroom.
They were posing as a couple. Those lying duo. I sucked in a deep breath as the water poured down the drain. What exactly did I aim to achieve by coming here? This is ridiculous.
At that moment, I decided it was time to call off this shit show and head home. The thought startled me. When did I start to think of the Cosa Nostra as home? I vehemently shook my head, slapping my hands on my face when the door to the restroom suddenly flew open.
“Occupi-” The words died in my throat when I saw the person that stood right in the door.
“Hello, Naledi.” He shut the door behind him. “Been a while.”
I shook my head. He wasn’t real. There was no way he was standing in front of me. There was no way they found me.
“Draken?” My voice shook, and suddenly, right before my eyes, the face faded to another, one that I knew. “Nicolai?”
“Impressive, isn’t it?” He said, chuckling. “I can take whatever form I want without breaking a sweat.”
He relaxed on the wall while I tried to catch my breath. “W-what… How did you do that?”
“Magic? Glamour? Whatever floats your boat.” He said in an offhand tone. “I just decided to use a face that scares you the most to make our meeting memorable this time.” An evil smile drew on his lips. “After all, this is our first time meeting as partners.” He pursed his lips. “Which of course I wonder if you are aware of the task you have taken.”
His eyes fell to the mark on my neck. “I came to make sure you have not been distracted by other things, Naledi. So tell me, do you remember exactly what you have to do?”
His tone was grave, as were his eyes, in that moment I knew without a doubt that I might have made the greatest mistake of my life.