CAELLUM’S POV
I watched her face morph into confusion, anger and ultimately, pain.
“Why are you doing this?” Her voice was broken, “Why are you trying to get me to hate you?”
I hated the fact that despite knowing everything she had done, I still yearned to comfort her. She fucking did a number on me.
“Hate me?” I scoffed, “Why the hell would I want you to hate your mate?” I asked with a smirk.
She shook her head, “You didn’t kill my parents. You are just angry because you think I betrayed you.” I could see that she believed it. “Arturo Morello killed them. Your father killed them.”
“Gray eyes,” I said and her eyes widened. “I enjoyed watching the life go out of her eyes. Your mother.”
“You bastard!” She roared, fighting with everything to get out of their hold.
That’s right. I was the devil. She was going to regret meeting me.
“You killed her?! What did she ever do to you?! Huh?! What did we ever do to you?!”
I turned away from her, satisfied with the torment in her eyes.
“And you both.” I said to Korah and Marcus. “I gave you the life you live. You owe me your life. You were supposed to be loyal to ME!”
I shook as anger overtook me. “It’s clear you have forgotten your place.” I turned to Matteo. “Lock them up.”
Like Naledi, some other men rounded them, unlike Naledi, they didn’t fight back. Without hassle, they were escorted by the men, while Naledi fought against the men that held her.
“Let them go you bastard!” She roared, all her anger directed at me.
I needn’t hear any more of her anger. “Lock her up. No food, no water.”
“Yes sir.” Matteo said, while I turned around, “And the women?” He stopped me in my tracks.
I had forgotten the little family reunion sponsored by my fucking mate. Donna and her mother were shaky. I could sense the fear that oozed from their direction. I was in no mood to play host, so I said,
“Send them to Alek. Tell him what a beautiful Alpha he is.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
I was done with all of this shit. I needed a fucking break from what was my entire life.
Soon enough, Matteo joined me in the office as we discussed prevailing matters in the Cosa Nostra.
“What’s the situation report on the shipment?” I asked, jaws clenched.
Matteo looked grim, “The shipment was seized right at the borders. Naledi must have tipped him off on the arrival of the shipment so his men were stationed at the site. They killed every single one of ours and took the goods.”
“What?”
“We are trying our best to trace the exact position of the ship. I need you to give me more time to ascertain the place.”
“We don’t have time!” I banged my fists on the table. “There is no time, with the discovery of the fake money, and the compensation for walking out of the deal with the Bravta’s we are flatlining in finance. It’s only a matter of time before these bigots think they can topple me.”
“I understand what is at stake. The men are working tirelessly to locate the shipment. I suggest we get some information on Nicolai’s whereabouts from Naledi, and see what we can do.”
A shrill laugh escaped my throat. I threw the drawers open and threw out the pictures mailed to us by Nicolai himself. “You think that bastard would send us pictures of their meetings if he was still anywhere in town?”
“We need to-”
“Just make sure that the shipment never leaves Italy. Make sure that they can’t move the fucking goods and use every weapon at our disposal to ensure that everywhere is combed. I want those goods recovered immediately.”
My words were law and he nodded. “Yes sir.”
******
A FEW HOURS EARLIER
“Alpha!” Matteo barged into my office with a ghastly look on his face. “You need to see this!”
He placed a big envelope on my table and I was confused. “What is this?”
“You need to see it yourself. It came in the mail this morning.”
I could tell he had no plans whatsoever on telling me what the hell it was in there so I picked up the envelope, silently murmuring that it better be worth my time.
Upon opening the envelope, pictures of Naledi filled the place. Surprised, I took a better look at the pictures, some taken in a compound unfamiliar to me, some inside a room, some in a car, then in a cafeteria.
It was clear she was meeting someone, trading something, but the pictures were taken in such a way that her partner was not revealed.
“What is this?” I asked, more like growled.
If someone was threatening the safety of my mate then they were in for trouble. Matteo dug into the pictures and produced a handwritten note, I took it and it read,
Caellum Morello. I hear you are happy these days. In love. I must confess your mate is a beauty to behold. A spitfire. I loved every moment of working with her but indeed, all good things must come to an end.
Nevertheless, we have achieved a substantial feat during our time together. I’ll end our interactions here and tell you that your shipment will be in my hands about the time you get this letter. All thanks to your precious little mate.
See you in hell, Nicolai Smirnov.
I threw the paper away in anger. “What the hell is he talking about? How did they drop this shit off?”
Matteo looked shaken, “We received it in the mail this morning. We did our research and they left no traces. No trace to who and how the letter was received or even faxed.”
No one was doing their jobs anymore. No one was doing their fucking jobs and I was beginning to lose it.
“We checked the picture and did our research. The picture was taken about one week ago. After the last shipment.” Matteo started, his face tightening as he spoke.
“And?”
“The lady is a traitor.”
I froze, “Do not talk nonsense! I will have your tongue if you say a wrong word when addressing my mate.” I looked at the papers. “You’ll be a fool to believe what anyone says.”
“I got news from the bank today.” Matteo suddenly said. He raised his head and met my gaze. “We received counterfeit money. Over seven hundred billion dollars has been lost.”
What?
“I have placed some calls, trying to get hold of the ones handling the shipments. They are yet to respond.” He sounded defeated. “With the payment for the contract breach, if we lose this shipment, it will be a fatal blow to the business. We’re fucked.”