Dominico
It would have been easier for me to jump off the cliff than for me to do this to her. She wasn’t suppose to get to me like this, to crawl deep into my heart, but I guess s**t happens.
I get it, the fact that I need to get married to her soon before other predators like myself gets to her. She’s the key to something great, something powerful that she knows not about. I need her trust before requesting that she hands it over to me, and getting married to her will seal the deal that she’s off limit.
I’ve never felt regretful about things I’ve done in the past, but the thought of deceiving her like this makes my heart ache. She has had enough disappointment to last her a lifetime; first from her parents and a pending one from me.
The door to the library opened, putting an end to my quiet time. “I figured I’d find you here.” Zadok whispered as if not wanting to upset the books. “You’ve always had this fascination about books.”
“It helps me think.” The fact that whatever problem we’re facing right now can be solved from a page in a book fascinates me, it gives my being the tendency to stretch way past it’s limit if it does have a limit. “What are you still doing here?”
Zadok has refused to return to his apartment ever since that attack. He leaves every morning, promising not to return again, only to show his ugly ass with a duffel bag. “It’s been a week now Zadok, I don’t need a f*****g baby sitter.”
He didn’t bat a lash at my insult. Settling down on the sofa, he lifted his legs to the table, apathetic to my deadly glare. “Nate located Harry.”
I frowned at his words as I leaned forward. “Why am I just hearing about it now? Where is Nate?” If he found him already, that dunce should be bleeding in my basement. “Send Nate in this minute.”
He stroked imaginary beards. “I met him on my way to the library, so I offered to deliver the news instead. They found Harry dead in his house.” f**k! “It seems whoever sent him killed him for not doing a good job. You know, the dead can’t talk and all that.”
This is messed up. The only lead we have is dead. “Did they search his house for anything that might point us towards the right direction?” He nodded.
“This can’t be good.” This isn’t good in any way. “Any idea when he died?” If I look around myself, I might be able to find something.
“His body was a bit warm according to Nate, which means the assassin practically just left the place few minutes before they arrived.”
“Make sure the news about his death doesn’t reach the cops until I’m done searching his house.” There should be something that will tell us who he was working for, or possibly why they are after me. Getting rid of the cigar, I slowly stood to my feet. “Inform Nate and Hide, we’ll leave in few minutes.”
He didn’t make any attempt to lift his ass from the sofa or get to work. As a matter of fact, he relaxed back and crossed his legs. “What’s his deal with Josephine?”
“Jayden?”
He nodded. “He seems to be hovering around her too much for my liking.” He lifted his head and stared at me. “You think he knows about the codes?”
I doubt he does. If he did, he would have gone after it while they were in Phoenix. Josephine trust him more than she trusts me, so getting the code from her won’t be difficult for him at all if he wanted to.
You see, Josephine’s grandfather Lamford was a scientist, it was believed that he created a drug known as VD-DEC 98. This happened over two decades ago. He created the drug for the Russian mafia, and the purpose of this drug is to create human robot.
Once administered to your system, the drug makes you forget everything about yourself down to your name. The only thing you’ll be able to remember is what is being whispered to your ear. Repeated administration makes you see the person as God and his words are laws to you.
The drug was administered once to one of the Igor’s men and it’s effect did not only marvel Igor, he became scared that Lamford might be a threat to him in the future. He tried to take the drugs from Lamford then kill him, but Lamford acted fast and smart. He destroyed the drugs, set it ablaze then hid the book where he wrote all his researches about the drug.
Igor killed him, more out of rage for destroying the drugs. It was assumed that everything including his research book was destroyed in the fire, but my father found out about the research book. We know where it is located, but we can’t get in because we need the code before we can gain access to the safe house.
We confronted Daniel Eluta about his father’s safe, but he denied not knowing anything about the safe, but when we threatened Josephine’s life, he told us that the code we need might be in the locket Josephine’s wears all the time. According to him, the locket was a gift from his father to Josephine and he believes it holds something meaningful.
I know the question lurking in your head right now is, why not take the locket and let the young lady be instead of forcing her into a marriage of deception. Here’s the thing.
Her father tried to get the locket from her, but it seems she lost it in Africa while she was there offering humanitarian services. Since she has been with the locket for a long time, we believe she knows everything about the locket.
Daniel pleaded with me to protect her, because if we were able to figure out about the existence of the research book, then others will learn about it soon too which will endanger Josephine’s life.
So here’s the deal. I get married to her, have a child with her and in return, her father will get every information we need from her about the code in the locket. The way, I get to protect her with my name and also the child a guarantee that I won’t discard her after I get the code.
The deal was quite juicy to my father so he agreed to it, not that I objected to it back then. But right now, the whole lies and deception is making me feel worst than the devil.
“Dominico?”
Blinking past the distant memories, I stared down at Zadok who seems to be eager for answers. “He doesn’t know about the codes.”
He shook his head, disagreeing with me. “If he doesn’t know about the codes, why is he always around? Ever since you moved Josephine here, the dude is always here every damn day. For a moment, I thought he moved in.” What is he? Her shadow?”
Lips pressed together, I let out an exasperated sigh. “The ninny is in love with my fiancé, and she’s too blind to see it.”
He threw his head back and laughed heartily. “Wait a minute. Her friend is in love with her and she isn’t aware of it, and you have to deal with his presence because you want to earn some brownie points from her. This is f*****g hilarious.”
Cantankerous, I stomped off towards the front door.
“I don’t think I like this side of you Dominico. Yes, I’ve always wished you were less ruthless and cruel, but I never prayed that you’d turn out to be chump.”
My nose flared. “What did you just call me?” Damn the fact that he’s my brother, I’ll put a bullet in his useless brain if he insults me again.
He rose to his feet. “You’re willing to take an insult from him, but not from me.” He strolled towards me. “He knows you’re aware of his feelings for Josephine, yet he rubs it in your face and you do nothing about it.” He stopped a foot away from me. “Let me tell you something brother, as long as he is round her, Josephine isn’t going to appreciate all your efforts.”
“What do you suppose I do?”
“Since killing him is not an option, I’ll keep him busy while you work your magic on Josephine.” His lips twisted with a cunning smile. “Nothing pains a man than seeing the woman he loves getting married to another, make it happen.” He slapped my shoulder blade softly before walking out of the library.
Zadok may not be the man behind the trigger, but he’s definitely the serpent whispering to Eve, that was one of reasons I made him my second-in-command. Exhaling heavily, I stalked off to get ready for the operation; Harry’s house will soon be a crime scene, I need to do my thing and leave before it becomes one.
Distant chatter and laughter grabbed my attention. I’ve never heard her laugh so hard before. I ambled towards the dining room where the laughter is undoubtably emitting from.
Standing at the doorway, I watched them quietly. Engrossed with the camera, none of them noticed my presence, they laughed and argued about a picture, Jayden getting too comfortable with her for my liking. Zadok’s words echoed in my head.
What exactly am I doing? I can get us married tomorrow if I want, yet here I am, playing Prince Charming. His hand which was on her left shoulder lowered down to her thighs and I snapped, unable to watch the display anymore. “If you don’t take your hand off her thigh, you’re going to lose it.”
Josephine brushed his hand away from her thigh as I advanced them. “Hey.” She greeted, smiling warmly at me.
Too blinded by the disrespect from Jayden, I paid deaf ears to her greeting. “It’s late, what are you still doing in my house?”
“He is waiting for his ride.” Josephine intervened. “He should be here soon.”
Jayden who apparently doesn’t need a spokeswoman spoke up. “Why? You don’t want me in your house?”
“Jayden, right?”
He looked past my shoulder to Zadok. “Yes, why?”
Zadok appeared in my line of vision, dressed in a black jeans and black leather jacket. “I’m Zadok, Dominico’s brother. I suppose we haven’t met.” He stretched out his hand and Jayden considered ignoring it. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, I’m only trying to be nice.”
Jayden accepted his handshake. “Why does it feel as if I’m being ambushed?”
“It’s all in your head.” Zadok assured. “I heard you say you’re waiting for your ride to show up. I’m heading into town, come on, I’ll give you a ride.” His easy smile would have confused anybody that he is making a harmless offer.
“No.”
His smile widened and Jayden furrowed his brows. “No? Why? I just want to get to know you. I’m harmless dude, not unless I’m provoked and until you said no, I wasn’t offended.”
Jayden narrowed his eyes, trying to figure him out. Good luck with that. Some times, I find it difficult to figure him out too. “Fine. I’ll go grab my things.” He turned to Josephine. “If you don’t hear from me after an hour, call the cops.”
Zadok chuckled, his eyes darkening with the thought of killing him. “Don’t be dramatic Jayden, a friend of Josephine is our friend too, right Dominico?” I rolled my eyes at him.
“I can read in between the line.” His rigid stature gave Josephine a hug before he gathered his stuffs and left with Zadok.
Left with just me in the room, Josephine picked her finger, shying away from looking at me. “We we’re going through some pictures that took today.”
“He prefers street photography to a job offer from Vogue.” The handwriting is written on the f*****g wall, I wonder why you’ve refused to read it. “Interesting.”
“Jayden is just being stubborn.” She mumbled. “I’m sure he’ll come around.”
He can go to hell and burn to ashes. Who gives a f**k about his career. “Be sure to let him know that door won’t remain open forever.” She looked at me from beneath her lashes and quickly looked away. “I’m stepping out, if you need anything, inform Hugo. He knows what to do.”
Frowning, she stared at me. “It’s late. Where are you going?”
Few minutes ago, she was seated here with Jayden discussing and giggling over s**t, without caring which part of the house I am occupying at that moment, and the moment he leaves, she thinks it’s right to question my movement. “Only two people has the right to ask me such question, my mother and my wife.” Arching my brows, I smiled tight-lipped. “Which are you?”
Her silence pained me more than I’m willing to accept. Guess I wanted her to claim me. Scoffing, I glared at her. “I thought as much.” Turning on my heels, I walked out of the dining room.
Aksara