NALEDI’S POV
I had a meeting with Nicolai soon. He sent me a text the night before telling me how I needed to see him the following day without fail.
My head was all over the place and so was my temper. Everyone gave me odd looks as I passed, no doubt the news of the Alpha’s new mate had reached their ears.
Some even openly leered at me, daring to say they didn’t want me as a Luna anyway. It was funny how people changed the moment they thought you were no longer in power. So much for family.
Except this time, it wasn’t a thought. It was my reality. I had fallen from grace and I had a whole person to prove it. Donna. My replacement. It felt good to call her that because I knew she could never fit into my shoes.
I was a lot of work and the only one capable of playing me. Caellum didn’t know that yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he realized what mistake he had made trading me for her.
Not like he had me in the first place but getting her in place of the little part of me he once had has got to be the biggest downgrade in history. I would be glad to watch him learn that but I was too busy trying to get myself out of the shit I entered.
I went out on my own today after delegating my tasks to another. I was sure Matteo was having a field day after hearing me say I needed some time off. After the entire drama from dinner, I decided I was not going to remain in this pack.
Caellum’s bold introduction of Donna as his mate-to-be was enough to sober me up on that decision. Now I just had to make a clean break from Nicolai and leave before he found out how much my betrayal had cost him.
I drove to a restaurant and ordered some drink, waiting for Nicolai’s entrance when I caught sight of a familiar-looking mop of hair, seated with an older woman who looked like she’d rather be anywhere but there.
Now interested in their exchange, I relaxed on the chair, eavesdropping their conversation. It was Arturo, the man of the hour.
“You just have to play along. Everything is set and your daughter will soon be made the Luna.” He said, smiling wickedly as he handed her a phone. “You should keep your daughter in check, make sure she is in line.”
“The last thing you want is for her to betray me and go out of our deal.” He said, “You know what that means right?”
The older woman nodded, “Please don’t kill her.”
“Of course not! For as long as your other daughter plays her role and hands me my son’s head afterwards, I’ll release Donna, and who knows, maybe I’ll let her continue as the Luna. She definitely wouldn’t mind having an older version of Caellum.”
“Besides, everything that young lad has, or thinks he has, came from my loins. If she’s smart, she’ll choose wisely.”
My hands shook at the words I heard. There was no way I’d heard correctly. He was definitely not trying to kill his son. There was no way Arturo was plotting to kill his own son.
Suddenly, a text came into my phone, the sender unknown.
Do with that whatever you will – N
I didn’t need a revelation to know who that was, I immediately placed a call to Nicolai. He picked on one ring.
“I’m guessing that takes you out of the corner you are in.” His tone was confident and amused, “You’re welcome.”
“You planned this? Why?” I asked in a low tone, unable to wrap my head around it. “Where are you? Why aren’t you here yet?”
A loud laugh, “You don’t get it yet, do you?” He continued, “A little birdie told me you ran into a bit of a situation with Caellum picking another woman to be his future bride.”
“I figured having Caellum playing with another woman other than you might put a strain on my business and like the good and thoughtful partner I am, I decided to handle it for you.”
I nearly coughed up blood. “You call this handling things? What the hell am I supposed to do with the news of Arturo planning to kill his son?” I gritted, whisper-yelling.
“Like I said, do with it whatever you will. If I was to add my one cent, I’d say let him. It’s a family matter after all. But in retrospect, you might want to use that in kicking out the other woman and currying favour from dearly beloved Caellum.”
I felt like everyone had gone nuts. “Is that it? This is all this is about? Currying favour to keep the deal between us going?”
“You’ve always been a smart woman. I’ll send you the video footage of the conversation you just heard. Just in case it comes in handy.” He tutted, “From my past discretions with Caellum Morello, he would need a lot more than hearsay to hop on your boat.”
I was lost for words. I watched Arturo leave the restaurant while the woman remained on her seat, looking around for a few minutes before finally getting on her feet, and exiting the restaurant.
“Since I was so dutiful in protecting your interest, do you have anything to say? Perhaps give me some news on the Cosa Nostra?” I heard Nicolai ask before I dropped the phone.
I remained in my seat, pondering what I was supposed to do in this situation. Caellum rejected me the moment he introduced Donna as his future Luna right in front of me.
And I couldn’t exactly say I was on his side, seeing I was working with Nicolai on a plan to milk him of all the money he’s got. I was basically a traitor in the Cosa Nostra. One that would be exposed sooner or later.
I should be thinking of how to untangle myself from the mess I had begun but here I am, thinking about how I’d lose myself if I lost this lead. How I’d lose myself if I let Caellum walk right into his death knowing I could have prevented it but did nothing about it.
I dashed out the door immediately, following the elder woman who was about to enter a cab. “Excuse me, Ma’am, please, can I speak to you?”
She shook her head, and upon a closer look at her, I could see she was holding back tears. Just what had that man put her through?
“I can help you. Just please, give me a bit of your time.”
One would think that an offer for help would make it easier for her to trust me. Or just hear me out. Instead, her eyes dropped to my wrist and when she saw the Cosa Nostra tattoo ink, her eyes widened.
“I don’t need anything from you. Leave me alone.” She said and entered the cab, immediately ordering the driver to move while I stood, watching them go.
It took a moment for me to make a decision. It was either I followed that car, and got to the end of this, or Caellum dies. At least that’s what I thought.
Without a second thought, I hailed a cab of my own, and entered, giving the driver one job. “Follow that taxi!”