NALEDI’S POV
I woke up at the crack of dusk, ready to begin the day’s work.
Korah and Marcel were waiting for me outside, ready for the day’s business. They were to handle the dispatch while I went on my little mission in search of something that should identify Flora.
Something I was certain Donna’s mother would be able to provide if I could reach her today. I passed Caellum’s office and sure enough, I heard his voice, barking out orders. Something told me he hadn’t left his office all through the night.
I headed out with determination, ready to prove that he hadn’t made the wrong choice. To prove that I was worth it after all. I needed to prove that to Matteo, Donna, and ultimately, to myself.
I couldn’t deny having them ask me those words did something to me. Something I hoped to undo after I present Flora and expose Arturo for the evil he is. I pulled the door open, ready to head out when I came face to face with the devil himself.
Arturo Freaking Morello.
He gave me a disgusting look as he said, “Who do you think you are? Do you know what you have done? How dare you interfere in the matters of this pack?”
I scoffed, shocked at his audacity. I might be willing to take shit from Matteo and Donna but hell will break loose before I let him do it too.
“One more word, Father! One more word and that’s all you are going to have.” Caellum roared from behind me.
“You threw the fucking deal! Are you crazy? Are you trying to sink the Cosa Nostra because of this..” His teeth clamped in anger.
“I made a decision as the Alpha, and I expect you to respect that.”
“What does Matteo has to say? I thought I raised him better. Did he not tell you the repercussions of pulling out of the deal with the Bravtas? Giving them that much money is a risk you should not be taking!”
“Did Matteo put you up to this huh? Did he come crying to you because I couldn’t see reason with him?” Caellum sounded deranged. “Is that why you are here? To knock some sense into me? To tell me just how stupid I am to pull out of the deal because of a girl? My mate?”
He stepped into his father’s face. “I’m not fucking surprised. You see, people like you can never understand why I have to do this. The fact you fucking beat up your mate and nearly killed her is a testament to the fact you can never understand how and how not to treat one’s mate!”
“Look at that! You pull out the mommy card because you want to prove a point? Do you think I am going to back out and watch you destroy everything we’ve laboured for in the name of love? Think again, buddy.”
Caellum was shaking with anger. I made to speak, place his father right where he belonged but he stopped me.
“Leave, Naledi.”
I was stunned, “Caellum I-”
“I said LEAVE.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. Immediately, I headed out the door, not failing to send the dirtiest look at Arturo who returned the favour, before joining Korah and Matteo in the car.
The door shut and soon enough, we were on our way.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to leave them both in the same house?” Korah voiced her concerns first. “It’s no secret that they aren’t best of friends. And coupled with their little showdown, I think it’s dangerous leaving them together.”
I pursed my lips, deciding I wouldn’t say a word. Marcel spoke instead,
“The Alpha and Arturo might be estranged but they are family.” I hated that it was the truth. “It’s clear that the Alpha still acknowledges that. Whether he believes it or not.”
“The problem lies with Arturo then. He sees his son as an adversary. Which puts the Alpha at a great disadvantage in a fight, unless he is ruled by anger.” Korah added,
I was forced to speak, “What do you mean?”
“The Alpha might hate his father. Resent him for the ill treatments he meted out to him and his late mother, but if it got to a fight, the Alpha will not willfully put the life of his father in danger.”
“That’s why instead of killing him after he overthrew him and took his position as Alpha, he sent him out of the pack, with some men who were said to oversee him when in truth it was his way of making sure his father was safe from the many enemies he had garnered over the years.”
Hearing them say it aloud made sense, I could imagine the dilemma Caellum faced whenever he looked at his father. Hating his father for the monster he was and still had to keep him because, in all truthfulness, he was the only living family he had.
It can’t be easy being in such a difficult position yet he handled it like it was nothing. Now I was second-guessing everything else.
“Right now the only factor we can bank on to make the Alpha step over the line with his father is anger,” Marcel said thoughtfully. “Even I cannot tell what he is capable of when provoked.”
Korah made an agreeing hum, “I believe the Alpha is sufficiently angry with everything going on. I can only imagine what will happen when he hears of the evil his father has planned.”
“And he will. As soon as we get this whole thing figured out.” I said with a determined voice.
Soon enough, they dropped me off at a store where I was supposed to get things for my makeover. This time, I decided to go as a man – keep things interesting.
By the time I was done with my cheap makeover, I added a tilt to my steps, trying to perfect the gangster steps I planned to rock when I got to the said hotel. When I was satisfied with my results, I boarded a taxi and headed to my destination.
We got to the beat-up hotel and I stepped out of the cab and paid my fair. Something seemed different, cold, and wrong, but I continued on my way nonetheless. I entered the hotel and sure enough, the woman was seated in her place, snoring her way on duty.
Three knocks on her desk jolted her awake. “What do you want, handsome?” She put her flirt on, and although it told me I was doing well in the disguise department, it was a cringeworthy moment for me.
Determined to get out of her sight, I paid for a room and almost ran towards the steps when she didn’t stop with the fucking dirty smiles and winks.