NALEDI’S POV
The nightmares returned.
For hours and hours, my subconscious chose to torment me with the visuals of the life I had abandoned, the life I had escaped and somehow forgotten during my time here.
Throughout the night, I paid the price of my choices. The price of my cruelty to Caellum. But I didn’t regret it one bit. There was no use of me playing sweet when I was going to stab him in the back anyway.
We were better off this way. If only I could tell that to my bleeding heart. I woke up early, thankful to be rid of the shadows of the night, and put in the work to hide the dark circles under my eyes.
News on the streets was Matteo had successfully brought in half the shipment into the factory. I couldn’t even pretend to be happy because today, much more than ever, I wanted to fold up in my room and avoid any contact.
Money had to be made, so here I was, storming into the building like the champ I was supposed to be, heading straight for Matteo’s office.
“Naledi.” A familiar and feminine voice said as soon as I walked into the office.
Sure enough, Donna was right there, standing beside Caellum and Matteo, with their eyes on some papers placed on the desk.
My eyes shuffled between them and it was clear I was the intruder so I did the next best thing. I muttered an apology and walked out of the place, standing outside with my head bowed.
The next second, Caellum walked out of the office with Donna in tow. He didn’t spare me a look, he didn’t even act like I was there, I didn’t know what I expected but I didn’t think I’d feel the knife twist so painfully in my chest.
“Next time, please knock before walking into my office,” Matteo said and I met his eyes, amusement and smugness were laced in them.
When I looked at him, one word came to mind. Ridicule. He was ridiculing me. I swallowed hard, refusing to let him get to me, he was the least of my problems as it was.
“I heard the shipment came in,” I started, using a curt tone.
He nodded, “I called in some of your minions but since they are yet to come, I think you will do.”
Matteo made to move but I stepped in his way. “Let’s be clear on this. When it comes to my business, you speak directly to me. Not to my partners, not to Caellum. Straight to me.”
His lips turned in a slight smirk. “Yes, My Lady.” His tone was mocking, he was trying to annoy me. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Good. Now what do I have to do?”
Matteo watched me with guarded eyes as he narrated the amount of goods I got from the offload. I nodded and soon got on my way for the distribution. Everyone on my team could tell I wasn’t in the best mood and thoughtfully kept their distance.
Which I appreciated because the last thing I needed was another person getting on my nerves. We got to a crossroads and I made a call.
“Go left,” I said to my driver who I had been directing to our last drop for the day.
“That route leads towards the borders.” He said and I rolled my eyes.
“Oh really? I couldn’t tell. Step on it.”
That shut his mouth, and soon, we were on the highway headed to God knows where. I was supposed to meet him today, Nicolai. I’d been given directions on the place to meet him and for the love of all things holy, I prayed he was not trying to fuck me up.
After meeting me out of the blue last night, it was safe to say my priorities shifted. I had gotten involved in something I shouldn’t have and I was the only one capable of solving the problem.
Earlier, I’d sent the others back to the mansion, telling them I was fine making the last delivery and I was going to spend some time out afterwards just in case someone asked.
Soon enough, we got to the signpost he described and sure enough, there was a car waiting to have us. I could sense my driver was having double thoughts and reaching for his gun but I flagged him down.
“Wait here. This is an important client so I’ll go with them.” I stepped out of the car, taking the boxes of the goods. “If I’m not out in thirty minutes, by all means, inform the Alpha,” I said the last part to the hearing of the person who came for me.
The last thing I wanted was for him to get other ideas. Or his boss. I stepped into the Pathfinder jeep and we drove into a path in the bushes. We drove a total of ten minutes and I was getting antsy.
Nicolai said he’d be here, that was all I was banking on. Just when I wanted to speak about the delayed destination, I saw a huge black gate which marked the end of our path.
It seemed like it was an automatic gate as it opened as we approached, welcoming us to the most beautiful mansion I’ve seen in a very long time. More grand than Caellum’s estate.
And that was a heaven on its own. I didn’t have time to take in the beauty of the place because Nicolai was standing there with a blunt between his fingers, watching with a smile playing on his lips.
“Naledi Rogers.” He gingered.
What was with this man addressing me by my full name?
“Welcome home.”
Those words brought chills to my skin. “I’m just here to discuss business, Nicolai.” I managed my confidence. “We spent a whole ten minutes driving here, so that leaves us with less than ten before I need to be on my way.”
I could tell he didn’t understand what I was talking about but he didn’t push further. “I see you came with gifts.” His eyes were literally fucking the bags I held. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes. I added a bit more dozens in there for good measure. Give me the cash and I’ll be on my way.”
“I love that you are all about the business.” He gestured for one of his men to take the bag, and immediately, they threw it open, tasting every single Coke wrapped in the bag.
There was no way I was waiting for them to test every single one of them,. I didn’t have much time. “They are the best of the batch. Just give me the money.”
Nicolai shook his head, “I like to check the goods. In this business, you can never be too sure of anything – anyone.”
“Seeing you are giving me fake currency for the real dope, the least you can do is actually trust me.” I gritted,
“And what if half the bag is filled with something else? Salt for instance. What do I do then?” He antagonized.
“Then you fucking take it. In the end, it’s not a loss to you.”
He didn’t appreciate my tone. That bit was clear from his looks.
“Give her the money.” He was amused by his joke. Soon, some men came in with three bags of money. Fake currency. “These have been printed by the best in the business. Even Caellum wouldn’t know what hit him until of course, it’s late.”
I bit my tongue, refusing to speak, knowing I had done this to myself. I cut a deal and there was no going back.
“When do I expect the next batch?” He asked gleefully, watching his men check the goods I brought in.