NALEDI’S POV
The gruesome nights continued for two weeks straight.
I had yet to utter a word to Draken. Whenever he came to me every night, asking and flat-out demanding for me to be his bride. Every time I refused to answer, he beat me to a pulp and had me recuperate until the next night, only to begin his round again.
Without a word, I bore the pain, and yet it seemed like it was not punishment enough for what I had done. It was not punishment enough for the betrayal I had caused Caellum.
I couldn’t help the side of me that wanted to find out more about Caellum. I couldn’t help the need I felt anytime I thought of him, only to smoulder myself with the self-judgement I seemed to have every time I thought of him and the Cosa Nostra.
These days I even thought about Korah, Marcus and shockingly, Matteo. What I wouldn’t give to right the wrongs I have done. I didn’t know how to remedy the situation with Caellum. I wanted to fix everything I had caused and the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the perfect fix.
If I could get Caellum his shipment, then things would be a bit more bearable for him. Things would be a bit more bearable for me and I’d be able to die in peace. With every passing day, I convinced myself that this was the solution.
I needed to help Caellum recover everything he’s lost. I didn’t want to be like my father. I hated my father. That was the only way I could live with everything I had done. That was the only way I could live with myself.
So I made a decision. A whirlwind decision I decided to live my life by. I was going to recover everything my betrayal cost him. I was going to recover the shipment, money and everything my betrayal to the Cosa Nostra cost him.
Maybe then I’d be able to live with myself. And who knows, he might even take me back. I knew that was pushing it but there was only so much I could do right now. I needed to hold on to something to make this plunge into the depths of hell and if the thought of being able to have my rejected mate back would do the job, then so be it.
I was always a selfish bitch. I never claimed to be anything else.
Unlike other days, I was waiting for Draken’s arrival today. If I was going to get close enough to achieving my goal, then I needed Draken on my side. I needed him to trust me enough to let me into his circle. I needed to play my cards right.
After having a shower, I dressed in a white dress. Going for the white Lotus look. The only weapon in my arsenal was the fact that Draken was obsessed with me. Although he did a poor job of showing it, but he had always been obsessed with me.
Right from my time working with his papa. If there was one thing Draken got from his demon of a father it was his unhealthy obsession and need for me. I had never quite wrapped my head around the reason for his wanting me but I was certain that if I managed to spin things around to seem like he was getting what he wanted, or even on his way to getting what he wanted, I might be able to get back Caellum’s shipment.
Or at least the proceeds of it. And that was enough to see me through this death toll of a mission I had decided to embark on. I stiffened when my door pushed open. Of course, he never knocked. The bastard thought it his birthright to have his way with me.
I got on my feet and took him by surprise when I flashed a small smile his way. The fucker ate it up immediately. “Attai.” He said when he got in front of me, “How are you, my love?”
That was his usual routine with me. Usually, this was the time I pursed my lips and refused to have anything to do with him until he was so angry and pummelling my face and every part of my body with his fist.
No more of that. I looked into his eyes, and I knew he was expecting silence. He was hoping I didn’t answer. He was looking forward to breaking my face with his fists like every other time.
Too bad I had other plans. “I am fine, Draken.” His eyes widened a bit, and then he blinked. I smiled the more, “I have been looking forward to seeing you tonight.”
It was his turn to swallow. I got him really good.
“What for?” He asked, looking me over with suspicion in his eyes.
I didn’t blame him.
“I missed you,” I held the helm of his shirt, “Is that so unbelievable?”
“What are you planning?” He held my hand, tight. “Do not take me for a fool, Attai.”
I remained still, “I don’t want to be your enemy anymore.”
His eyes perked, and then a cynic look appeared in his eyes. “Why?”
“I don’t want to be beaten up anymore,” I said in a small tone, hoping that would do wonders to his maniacal ego. “Please forgive me for killing your father. I swear it was never my intention.”
A genuine smile made its way to his face. He palmed my jaws as he said, “I never wanted to hurt you love. You forced my hands with your stubbornness.” He pets my hair and I resist the urge to run away from him.
“If you are on your best behaviour, I would give you the world on a platter of gold.” He cooed, “You just have to be my bride.”
I nodded my head like a tamed animal, “I will be your bride. But I need some time to get used to having you as mine.”
A frown, “And how long would that take?”
I wrapped my hand around his. “Shorter than you can imagine.”
“I am not a patient man, Attai. Do not forget you belong to me. You are not in the position of making deals.” He reminded me coldly.
I nodded, “I understand. I am willing to be your bride, but didn’t you say that the others were underestimating you because I killed Papa? I don’t know how the pack would take it if I became your bride. I need to earn my place beside you.”
The look he gave me was foreign – like he was contemplating on calling out my bullshit.
“The Yakuza will accept my bride, no matter what.” He was firm in his belief. “You don’t need to prove anything.”
This would have been a swoon-worthy moment except for the fact that he was a nerve-wracking murderous nutjob.
“I want to work my way up. Become a bride worthy of you.” I smiled, “Let me work for you, Draken. Let me earn my keep.”
A smirk. “If you insist. But don’t you think you need to prove yourself to me first?” I froze when his hands lingered on my face. “Do not for one second think that I will let you work for me without verifying you are loyal to me.”
I opened my mouth and no words came out of it.
“Let me have a taste of you.” His hand made its way to the helm of my dress, “Allow me my right. Show me how badly you want me, Attai. Then we can have this conversation again.”