CAELLUM’S POV
The past two weeks were uneventful and audacious.
I was yet to locate my goods. Tongues were wagging in the underworld of how I’d been duped by some girl. Men were defecting to the rival pack and the Cosa Nostra was receiving threats.
Everything was going wrong. And it was all thanks to my mate.
Tonight, I planned on venting my anger on her. Right after I rounded off on some deals. The business was falling and I was running low on cash. I was also running low on patience.
Three knocks on my door and I knew that Matteo was out there. If I were to take a guess, I’d say he was waiting with yet another bad news. That was all he had to say these days.
I didn’t need to speak before he came in.
“Alpha.” He greeted me with a curt nod, then proceeded to air his mission. “The lady lost consciousness.”
I froze midway through my writing and raised my head. “What?”
“The lady-”
“What the hell happened?!” I roared, unable to take it anymore.
“She’s been in her cell for the past few weeks. No food or water. I think-”
“If she dies, you die,” I stated, and he knew I wasn’t joking.
“I ordered the doctor to attend to her and she’s alive.”
I hated the relief in my heart at his words.
“He says she needs to be fed. Her fainting was a direct result of starvation.” He reported and kept silent. Waiting for my verdict.
When I said nothing, he came right out. “What do we do to her? You are yet to say anything about her punishment.”
“Take her out of the cell, confine her to her room and ensure she gets a ration of food every day. Enough so she doesn’t die on me.” I said without looking at him, “Any news on the men? Have they located the shipment?”
“I was about to tell you.” That perked my attention.
“Have you found it?” I asked, waiting impatiently for an answer.
“I think we have our hands on something. The Yakuza’s newly moved into Sicily.”
A crazed look took over my face. “What?”
“I don’t know if the Alpha is here but there have been operations in Italy for two nights straight,” Matteo explained and that just infuriated me further.
“And you only thought to tell me right now?!”
“I have been monitoring their operations.” He was quick to defend himself. “There hasn’t been anything that points they are here for war but that fact in itself is unsettling. Seeing they haven’t expressly asked permission to operate in this territory.”
“They must have heard the news.” Unadulterated anger boiled in my heart. “They must think they can do whatever the fuck they want now that we are running short on business.”
I got on my feet. They’d be in for a rude surprise.
“I want every eye on them. Find out if they have something to do with the missing shipment and if nothing turns up, then get me a meeting with them tonight.”
The last thing I’d let them do is to feel comfortable waltzing in my territory. If they had no respect for me then, I was ready to make an example of them. That night, Matteo carried out his duties and soon enough, we were in a bar, with men scattered around the club.
I sipped my wine as I watched the nightlife play before me. High dosage of coke, booze, women and men who were having the time of their lives, whatnot. This was one of Luka’s spots. Taken over by some rich American investor who turned the place from a casino into a nightclub.
Every night was a blast that made him millions richer. I loved a good business sense. In fact, this place had become a neutral spot following the revamp. A neutral spot in the sense that none of the three leading mafia families were yet to claim ownership.
It was a safe spot. Out of my red zone but in my territory nonetheless. I ruled Italy. It was my birthright. Everyone knew that. Sicily was my home and it’ll be a death wish to think they could waltz in here and steal my thunder.
I came here to remind them of that.
“There he is.” Matteo said, pointing at a young man who looked Asain, safe for the tattoos that covered his skin – tipping to his neck. A fucking Yakuza if you asked me. That was their signature move.
Excessive use of tattoos. My eyes filtered down to the men who escorted him. They were the same bunch. Same thunder, same face. They stood out like a sore thumb. Which was a baby move if you asked me.
Lack of diversity, they couldn’t even blend into the crowd.
I tipped back my drink and got on my feet. I was going to make it short and snappy. Hopefully, they get the memo and leave my town before things get really messed up.
I dropped my cup on the bar and was surprised to see one of them walk up to one of my men. They seemed to be in the middle of something and Matteo headed right for them while I watched from my end.
It didn’t take long before he came back with word. “They are asking for you.” I froze at Matteo’s words.
“They are asking for news on how to get an audience with you.”
Seeing the back and forths between us, it was clear they found their target. There was no use feigning ignorance. I walked up to the men, who added as they saw me come up.
“Caellum Morello.” One of them spoke with a thick Japanese accent. “I have heard of you.”
“Is that so?” I dipped my hands in my pockets and tilted my head over to the side. “So that means you chose to disrespect me.” My tone was hostile and their eyes widened. “Because if you know who I am, I expect you to address me by my title.”
“Alpha.” The leading man muttered.
“You know your onions after all.”
“Apologies. I would like to have an audience with you, I have a message from the Head of the Yakuza Family.”
I scoffed, “That old hag?” Now I was begging for a fight. “Tell him if he has something to say, he should come himself and stop sending his little rats all around my territory.” I stepped forward. “Because the next time we meet,” A cold smile, “I might not be generous enough to let you go with your lives.”
“Capiche?”