by Kiru Taye
After their order arrived, Duke stuffed a wad of cash into the woman’s pocket and told her to send everyone else away and take the rest of the day off.
Ebuka was impressed by Duke. The man worried about the welfare of the ordinary person, the same as his father had done. He was taken aback by his generosity to the woman. Many men in his position wouldn’t have cared and would’ve ordered the woman to do whatever they wanted without compensation. The money would buy her silence when law enforcement started asking questions.
After they were left alone, the two of them chatted mainly about the assassination of Duke’s parents and how Ebuka’s father had smuggled Duke out of the house that night.
At one point, Ebuka closed his eyes and raised hands to his face. He was bone-tired, and he wondered if this was even worth it. Was this man significant enough to incur Xandra's wrath? Unfortunately, he was. Family obligations made him necessary. Regret settled over him like a blanket.
His life seemed so far removed from the one his parents led. His father had been a prominent politician and lawmaker. According to Ebuka’s father, he’d been a beacon of light and fairness in a world with rising corruption.
Had the governor’s son become one of the men his father had fought against?
Ebuka believed Duke could accomplish his father’s vision for their people, and he said as much.
Duke laughed as if Ebuka was crazy. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not a statesman. Just a businessman."
"We both know you are more than a businessman. And you have a lot of influence. Some men do what you say. They will follow you and die for you."
"All this is inconsequential if I'm dead anyway."
Ebuka sighed. "I think I know how to keep you alive. I just needed to know if you're capable of keeping your father's legacy alive."
"And are you satisfied?"
"I think you'll do the right thing when the time comes. I know the person contracted to kill you."
He froze and tilted his head as if listening out for something. Then he stood in a rush, pulling a gun out and pointing it at his head.
“Stand. Keep your hands on your head. No sudden movement,” he said, keeping his voice low and urgent.
“What’s going on?” Ebuka asked as he stood slowly and did as he said.
He walked behind and pulled a zip wire from his pocket. “I should be asking you.
Slowly lower your hands to the back and keep them together.”
Ebuka let him tie his wrists together, wondering what had gone wrong. They’d been having a reasonable conversation. Now his hands were bound, and a gun was pointed at his head. “Why are you doing this?”
“Your friend is here,” he said as he pulled a phone out of his pocket.
Ebuka felt another presence and gasped as Xandra walked into the main room of the cafe.
Shit. How did she know where he was? Did she follow him?
“Yes, I am,” Xandra said. Eyes as cold and hard as steel, a black gun with a silencer nozzle in her gloved hand. She looked like the angel of death.
His heart nearly exploded out of his chest and sweat beaded on his upper lip. Duke stood behind him.
Xandra was in front, blocking the exit. Both had guns pointed at each other. This didn’t look good.
“Xan...” Ebuka cleared throat. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to kill two birds with one stone.” Xandra met his gaze. Her eyes were unforgiving.
He swallowed again. “What do you mean?”
“I find out that my lover has betrayed me, and there’s only one way this can end. And Mr Odili—” She tilted her head in Duke’s direction, “—was already on my list. You only accelerated my plans on his account.”
“No.” he took a step in her direction. “Stay where you are,” Duke ordered.
Ebuka turned to him. He needed to salvage the situation somehow. He didn’t want anyone dead on his account. “Let me talk to her. I can sort this out.”
“You mean you want to convince her not to kill you. It’s not going to stop her from trying to kill me, even if you resolve your lovers’ quarrel.”
He hit a raw nerve, and Ebuka eyes narrowed. “Look—”
“Yeah, exactly how do you plan on changing my mind?” Her fury seeped into her voice as well as her eyes. “You fucking betrayed me.”
Images flashed of the two of them in a room. Memories. His hands tied. She had the same expression of fury.
Her emotions were raw, exposed. He had to convince her of his good intentions.
He spoke to her quietly, softly and seemed to be getting through to her when he saw the laser dot in the middle of Xan’s chest.
Fuck. Ebuka’s blood went cold as he froze. He couldn’t let them hurt Xandra. “No. Duke, tell your men to stand down.”
“Tell your woman to stand down first,” he replied. “Weapons on the floor.”
“Xan, do as he says.” Ebuka’s heart pounded. He hoped she would comply without a fight.
Xandra eyed him and then looked down to find the spot on her chest. “Well played, Mr Odili. I was told you were a hard man to kill. But I didn’t think you would use my lover as a weapon to keep me distracted. It seems someone dies today, after all.”
“If I’d wanted you dead, I would’ve given the order already,” Duke said.
“So, what do you want from me?” Xan asked as she dropped the weapon and it made a dull clatter on the linoleum floor.
Another man pushed in the door with the ding of the bell and stepped in, gun pointing at Xandra. But he didn’t say anything, just picked up the discarded gun from the floor and tucked it into the back of his trousers.
“I think that Mr Njoku makes some valid points,” Duke said, lowering his gun, so it pointed downward.
Ebuka exhaled a little in relief, but he couldn’t fully relax. The red dot was still on Xan’s body.
“I’m in the market for good people, and you two seem like good people.”
Xandra laughed, and it echoed humourlessly. “You want me to work for you. I already have a sponsor who wouldn’t be too pleased with that proposition.”
“Yes. Tiye Himba is a tough bastard. What do you think will happen when he finds out about you two? You’ll both be food for worms, that’s what.”
Ebuka exchanged glances with Xandra. Was Himba really that bad? Something in Xan’s eyes made him think it was true. He didn’t like the fact Xan worked for Himba anyway. And Duke had to be better. Hopefully, he would use his influence for good and make some positive changes.
“So, are you saying that you’ll be a different kind of boss?” Ebuka asked.
“I give you my word that the two of you won’t be harassed about your relationship if you come to work for me.”
“You’re offering me a job, as well?” Ebuka asked. “I don’t know much about your business.”
“As long as you’re willing to do whatever is required, there’s not much to it.” Duke shrugged. “You’ll both have my protection.”
Ebuka nodded before turning to Xandra. “Let’s do this.”
“You do realize that would mean that I’ll become a target. Tiye Himba won't be happy about this.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” His shoulders slumped. He didn’t want Xandra in trouble.
“But on the other hand, this hit wasn’t contracted by him. The contract is with John Bull Owo.” Xandra walked over and leaned against the counter. He wanted to reach out and touch her. It felt good having her beside him, even if his hands were still tied.
The new man and Duke exchange glances, but they didn’t say anything.
“And I don’t owe The Baron any allegiances. So, I couldn’t care less if he’s pissed off,” she continued, grinning for the first time. “And I wouldn’t mind a boss who was more inclusive and tolerant.”
Ebuka chuckled.
“Do we have a deal?” Duke asked. “Yes,” Ebuka said.
Xandra nodded and walked over to Duke, offering her hand. “You sure do
.”
The two of them shook hands. The other man came forward and introduced himself as Mason as he cut the tie binding Ebuka’s hands.
Ebuka breathed a lot easier as he rubbed his wrists. He’d managed to avert a bloodbath.
Afterwards, Duke pulled Ebuka aside. “Your father was Yadili. Why didn’t you become a member?”
“I was an associate member at University, but I renounced my oath of allegiance to the godfather.” He couldn’t be a full member without a godfather.
“Oh.” Duke’s eyes narrowed. “Why did you renounce your oath?”
Ebuka understood the man’s suspicions. Renouncing an oath was a bad thing, usually.
But he had good reasons. “It’s complicated.”
“I still need an explanation. I can’t bring you into my clan if I can’t trust you.”
Ebuka puffed out heavy air. “I understand. Chief Dede and I don’t see eye-to-eye on many matters. I cannot in honest conscience accept his methods or support them.”
“Chief Dede. You mean Senator Dede?”
“Yes. The same one.”
Sabina’s father turned his ambitions to the national assembly once he completed two full terms as a governor.
Duke nodded. “Now, I understand. I don’t think much of the man either.”
“You can say that again. But things are complicated because his daughter is my soon-to-be ex-wife and her father is threatening to ruin me.”
Duke whistled.
“And then there is the matter of an old friend who attempted to kill me,” Ebuka continued. “Do you know Ralph Nweke? He’s the attorney general in Bakili.”
“I don’t know him personally, but the name has come up in conversations,” Duke replied.
“Well, you might know that he is Yadili,” Ebuka said. “Since you’ve welcomed me into your clan, I am obligated to inform you that I intend to kill him and I’m going to need some resources.”
Duke tilted his head and stared at him for a few seconds. Ebuka had to get the man’s consent so that it didn’t come to bite him in the ass later for killing a member of the Yadili. He hoped that since he had saved Duke’s life, Duke would be happy to grant him this request.
After a few long seconds, Duke said. “We should formally induct you into the Odili clan then.”
TWENTY-FIVE
THE DRIVE to the hotel with Ebuka was silent. Xandra felt a sense of déjà vu.
The first time she met Ebuka she’d been sent to kill him. Spending time with him and developing feelings for him had stopped her. She’d managed to save his life by faking his death. But things had gone wrong afterwards.
Now she’d returned to letting another target go, because of Ebuka.
However, she understood some of Ebuka’s reasoning, especially now that Ebuka had been inducted into the Odili clan with an informal oath-taking. He would have to meet the head of the family, Don Sylvester Odili, who could veto it all. However, as Duke was underboss and heir-apparent, that would be unlikely.
Surprisingly, she was relieved she hadn’t killed him. Her stomach had been a ball of knots, and her hands had shaken when she’d followed Ebuka. She had suspected something was up when he had asked her for details of the target.
So, when he went out this morning, she had followed him discreetly and tracked him to the restaurant. When Duke and his crew arrived, she knew exactly what was up.
Anger mixed with anxiety. Because she would have killed Ebuka and Duke. Yet both were alive.
Although she had let Duke Odili walk away alive, he wasn’t out of danger for as long as The Baron wanted him dead.
But that wasn’t her problem. She had bigger fish to fry. Himba.
There was no doubt about it. Himba would send men after her. Most likely Norbert to finish the job he’d started. She had left him alone because she had wanted to focus on finding Ebuka and getting him back. But if their paths crossed again, Norbert wouldn’t be walking away.
She pulled the car into the parking space of the hotel lot and turned to Ebuka. “I’m going to Ralph Nweke’s house with you.”
“No.” He looked shocked. “I will handle Ralph myself.”
Her anger rose again. He had no right to refuse her after what he did today. How dare he? She got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Then she leaned hands on the roof of the vehicle. “You don’t have a choice in the matter. As it is, I can’t fucking leave you alone for two minutes without you trying to betray me.”
Admittedly, she couldn’t stand to see him with other people. It had been bad enough when she had seen him with Sabina. Although he wasn’t doing the same thing with Mr Odili, the fact that he’d gone out of his way to warn the man rankled. He’d chosen to risk her wrath to protect another man.
Jealousy boiled in her gut.
“I told you I didn’t betray you.” He strode around the car and shoved her in the chest, and her back hit the car.
“You chose to save his life and risk my anger. I would’ve killed you both today.”
“But you didn’t.” He stepped close enough for her to feel his body heat.
Her heart raced, and she yearned to feel him skin to skin. It felt like a long time since that happened.
“I couldn’t let you kill him. Ralph is a member of the Yadili syndicate which Duke belongs. Now that we’re part of Duke’s crew I can tackle Ralph without having the wrath of the entire Yadili network on my neck for killing one of them. I did it to keep us all alive.”
“But you’re not going to be able to save him from the next assassin that goes for him.”
“Maybe not. At least it won’t be you pointing the gun at him.”
He breached the gap between them and kissed her in public. Someone could see them.
Her breath caught, her lips parting, pulse racing.
He pulled back, his dark eyes intense, his voice husky. “You trusted me today by letting me take the lead in front of Duke and his men. I know it wasn’t easy for you to let go of the control and let me take charge, so I appreciate it.”
Their bodies were still connected at the hips. The bulge in his jeans prodded her belly as her pussy clenched.
He leaned forward so that his breath feathered her neck, and he spoke in a whisper. “So, if you’re good, when we’re done with Ralph, I’ll reward you by fucking you.”
The breath locked in her throat, and she couldn’t breathe at the image his words conjured up. Her body felt as if he’d lit it on fire.
“I know you want my dick inside you. You’ve wanted it, from the first time at the auction. Well, you’re a step closer to having it stretching your pussy.”
Jeez. He was killing her. It took all her strength not to beg him to fuck her right here. She loved it when he asserted his power over her. He was the first man who didn’t make her feel weakened because she bowed to his command.
Her job required discipline and control for her to be efficient. Yet, there were times she yearned for situations where she didn’t have to be in control. Where she could hand over the power to someone she trusted.
That person was Ebuka.
She just needed to convince him that inside this killer was a woman whose heart thrummed for him.
He brushed his hand over her short hair before stroking the sensitive skin on her neck with his warm lips. Then he pulled away and turned, heading to the hotel entrance.
She leaned against the car, panting to catch her breath before following him.
***
The next day, they drove east to Bakili, about seventy kilometres from Opal City. With roadworks and diversions on the route, it took about two hours to arrive at their hotel.
Ebuka intended to deal with Ralph before going to the ranch to see his family.
Between meals, they spent the day going over their plans—drawing the layout of Ralph’s compound, how to gain access, taking down night-time security, surveillance equipment, confronting Ralph. Xandra was brilliant, making sure they had all bases covered. Since there was o
nly two of them, they needed to make sure there would be no surprises.
Duke’s enforcer, Maddox, had ensured they had the ammunition they required.
After midnight, they left the hotel. No other cars on the road, the BMW headlights cut into the pitch blackness as Xandra drove. She parked the car a street away from Ralph’s house.
“You ready?” Ebuka asked. He didn’t want her here in case something went wrong.
However, she was the best person to back him up in this situation.
“Yep.” She replied, stepping out of the car. The street was tree-lined and shadowed. They were parked next to a high wall so had adequate cover.
He followed, opened the boot and took the Berretta out of the rucksack, tucking it into the chest strap. He shouldered the backpack containing the spare magazines and explosives.
Xandra already had her FN Five-seveN in a holster too and a knife sheathed in her boots.
They wore matt black clothing. He’d bought black jeans, t-shirt and jacket earlier today.
He pulled down the black mask and hood, which helped him blend into the shadows of this starless night. “Let’s do this.”
They jogged up the hill towards Nweke’s mansion at the top, keeping to the shadows, avoiding streetlamps and moving quickly.
The area around the gates was well lit. A patrolling guard smoking a cigarette leaned against the wall by the entrance. They could disable him, but someone watching the video feed from the camera would spot them.
Ebuka indicated for Xandra to follow and they skirted the perimeter wall and walked through the dense hillside, checking for a spot to exploit. There was elevated ground overlooking the side of the house. With their position on higher ground, they could clear the fence. But there was a camera positioned there.
“I’ve got this,” Xandra whispered, pulled out the silencer and attached it to the nozzle of the FN. Then she shot at the camera.
Ebuka jumped over, checked the corners and then, whispered into the mouthpiece. “Clear.”
Xandra did an acrobatic flip and landed with ease like a cat on the mown lawn, rolling to a crouch.