I know that. Does he think I’m dumb? Wanting to keep my position is the only reason why I’m in the bloody car about to meet a man who might become my husband. Though, I’m hoping he will slip up and do something that might leave a possibility for me to refuse.
“I realise it’s not what you want.” And isn’t that the truth? “But it’ll be good for us in the long run. Our business must stay intact and with all the fights that break out between our families, we are losing almost half of our profits.”
He is right. Even though we still control the docks, Macsen always finds another way to mess with my shipments. Especially ever since my father has started supervising the deliveries. He just has to fuck everything up. And if it wasn’t for William who talked me into leaving it be so that my people think that I have some kind of respect towards family – which I don’t – I wouldn’t let him do shit. He was a fixer a long time ago. Never someone who handled business.
As I predicted, I stop the car with a tire screech in front of a massive hotel barely thirteen minutes later and two seconds before Diego.
I hold back on commenting on his driving skills. It’s not the time and place for it.
Once we are about to go inside, I look at them. “We’re not about to meet just anyone. Those are not your regular soldiers who work for Addison. They don’t throw shit and expect it to stick. They are observant, vigilant, and logical. So watch out for any indications of things going downhill. You might have a hard time seeing it coming. Still, don’t act without a cause. I don’t feel like getting my clothes covered in blood,” I warn them.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Macsen is a cunt and I don’t have to meet him to know that. The way he handles things is precipitative and leaves me with only the same violent decisions to match him. That’s why our conflict has taken a turn for the worse. It only takes the slightest hesitation to go back to another open war like the Seven against the Quarter one when I took over as boss.
My people go first before I step into a wide, spacious foyer in which the black and grey colours dominate along with wooden detailing. Exactly my style. Even though I’m still against Macsen Addison, I must admit that the man evidently knows what he’s doing running the hotel. It’s one of his own ventures that has not been taken from his father. I can appreciate the effort of him making a name for himself.
Still, I hate the marriage idea.
Even if it was my idea, to begin with. Or maybe it was more of a thought, really.
At once, all eyes are on us. I can see guards spread around, carefully watching whether we plan on doing anything stupid. As if I had a death wish being in the enemy's territory.
I roll my eyes before moving towards the stairs. There is a lift but there’s no fucking way I’m getting in it when it could be filled with explosives. Not taking precautions and thinking that it’s just a business meeting would be foolish on my part. So even though I need to go twenty floors up, I intend to stay alive.
There are surprised looks on Addison’s men’s faces but they don’t say anything. From the corner of my eye, I see one of them murmuring something. Probably informing his boss about my whereabouts.
“Good dog.”
I swallow my laugh and climb up the stairs with an ease. Working out pays off in moments like this for sure.
Once we reach the highest level where the conference room is – from what I got in a text message from Macsen himself – my hand immediately goes to my throat. It’s just a tic I have each time I am about to walk into an unknown situation. My fingers slide along my scar. Something that has always been a good reminder of who I am.
I am Davina Kinsley. To most people also known as Nyx. The woman who fought tooth and nail to be where she is. To rule over the south part of Liverpool when my brother-in-law is sniffing the flowers from underneath. I stood tall when all seven of The Firm’s directors came after me just because I am a woman. Someone who shouldn’t have a say in business matters. Let alone rule over them.
I am not giving up my power.
Not now.
Not ever.
Diego and the other guards go first towards the furthest door to the right. I come last. A good way of making an entrance, even though it’s not why I do it. I hear the door opening, all men resting their hands close to where they stashed their weapons. I make sure mine is there as well again.
I feel my body getting uneasy with each step but I drink down my fear like it is the finest red wine; the purest blood. Because I can’t be weak.
My men spread around on both of my sides when they see that there’s no immediate threat to be met with. That’s when I get a clear view of who I am in the room with. It’s not surprising that my eyes go to the boss himself. Macsen Addison. He radiates with an aura of domination above all others, standing by the big, round, glass table. His hands are in the pockets of his slacks. The sunlight coming through the floor-to-ceiling window illuminates his features even more. He’s wearing a dark beige suit with a black dress shirt underneath. It’s slightly unbuttoned by the collar, exposing a hint of his tattoo-covered chest and neck. His five o’clock shadow accentuates his strong, sharp jawline. All perfectly matching.
I look up. His black eyes settle on me, watching me carefully with a hint of disgust. Probably because of who I am to him. An enemy. His full lips are curved in a smirk.
My breath becomes shallow and my heart skips a beat. He is even more handsome than he appears in the media. I know it’s not the right time to think about the way he looks but I cannot help it. And I rarely pay attention to men as it is. My imagination is used to running wild when it comes to Macsen because it’s our first official meeting. Now, I can no longer hope for him to show weakness because he is all tough, dangerous.
And yes… even hot.
Still, I leave my emotionless mask on, not letting it come crashing down.
With a lot of self-encouragement, I look to his right where his father, Victor, is standing. A little bit shorter than Macsen but still giving off this businessman-like vibe. He was a good boss from what I’ve heard before his health started to decline. The reason is unknown to me. They never shared it with any journalists, so I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on such a piece of information. With all the medical records sealed, my possibilities are limited.
On the other side of Macsen, there is someone whom I know all too well as I’ve been dealing with him in the past. Theo Addison – Macsen’s younger brother as well as his financier. The only person who is allowed on my territory once a month to settle certain city issues that are unfortunately in my best interest to be a part of.
He doesn’t like me. It is more than obvious with the way he is used to sneaking in snarky comments here and there. However now, he just looks blunt. As if he couldn’t care less about my presence here, about to make an all-time deal to marry his brother.
Or not.
The outcome is still to be seen.
Victor Addison smiles widely, making me pay attention to him. “Davina Kinsley,” he says, using my real name rather than the nickname Nyx that most people are used to saying. They refuse to do it and that’s exactly why he starts this way. Again, to show that I’m just a woman and he’s holding all the power. Him and his pretentious son. “It’s a pleasure to have you here.”