Page 26 of Star Crossed Delta

SABA

S he jolted, startled at Mak’s sudden reticence, glacial iciness, and the cruel darkness dancing in his eyes.

She scrambled to her feet, her movements as frenzied as her thoughts.

Her heart pounded, her pussy still throbbing, humiliation and desire mingling with confusion.

She reached for her clothes, trembling hands struggling to pull them on.

Mak glared at her with a cold detachment, his eyes never leaving her face.

His stare was a palpable force that made Saba’s skin crawl. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, emotions left unsaid.

Now covered, she stumbled towards the door, her legs weak and shaky.

He didn’t move, didn’t say a word. He gazed at her, his expression unreadable.

Saba reached for the handle to his door, her hand shaking as she turned it. It slid open, revealing the hallway beyond.

She took a step, then swiveled back.

‘I think you achieved what you wanted,’ she muttered, her voice strained. ‘You just won in your pain and humiliation stakes.’

‘Fairs’ fair, Saba,’ he rasped with icy scorn. ‘You thought you might manipulate me, but you’ve only proven your powerlessness. Your deceit, your desire to destroy.’

‘You don’t trust me,’ she whispered, the words just audible in the charged silence that enveloped them. Her heart ached at the thought of Mak doubting her intentions and questioning her loyalty.

She also promised her sister she wouldn’t say anything about her beloved. Not sharing the truth was killing her.

He let out a bitter laugh that held no humor. ‘How can I? Faith is earned, Saba,’ he replied, this time weary and resigned. ‘And with every turn, you seem determined to erode whatever little I have left for you.’

His words were like shards of glass, cutting deep into her already wounded heart.

‘I never meant to betray your faith in me,’ she whispered as she fought the tears threatening to spill over.

He remained still, unloving, his disappointment heavy in the air.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the muffled sound of her ragged breathing.

‘There was never any,’ he scoffed. ‘Leave me now! Before I give in to the darkness that consumes me and fokk you against my will.’

She flinched, knowing that Mak’s words contained a crude yet profound truth. His body wanted her; this fact was evident; however, his heart loathed her.

Saba gave him another glance, which he met with a frigid chin raise.

The raw intensity in his gaze sent shivers down her spine.

She recognized the sorrow and the pain he was holding back, the memories of past torments hidden behind his cold demeanor.

Then she fled, lost in a whirlpool of emotions. His accusations hung heavy on her shoulders, a burden she didn’t know how to shake off.

MAK

At Mak’s request, and with Xander’s approval, a few days later, Kaal, their Signet, and the Sauvage strongmen swooped in on a swathe of Sidani supply ships. They arrested dozens in an operation aimed at dismantling the Sidanis’ influence in the flotilla.

Mak had no intention of letting the rivalry between the Sauvage and Sidani families escalate into a violent feud of vendettas.

But Zolan had forced his hand by entering his home and potentially bringing dishonor to his wife.

So, Mak gutted Zolan’s operations in his territory, a fact he’d neglected for years.

They ensured everything was legal, making sure they had the proper paperwork to validate the arrests.

The suspects were all wanted for their ties to the Sidani, extortion, and possession of illegal arms.

Of the 67 arrest warrants issued, 49 were executed, and the individuals detained, while 18 remained at large.

Mak’s men discovered the Sidani associates had a vast arsenal of weapons, including laser rifles and rocket launchers.

Kaal’s questioning revealed that the arsenal was intended for use in attacks on their ships and safe stores.

However, his investigations were hampered by the captured suspects, who either lied about their involvement or admitted to it but refused to implicate Zolan as their leader.

Still, the Sauvage family sent a clear message, one Mak hoped Zolan had received and would take seriously, to keep away for good.

MAK

Tewa Lisade was a short, stout man with an overbearing confidence that bordered on arrogance.

His eyes held a cunning glint, always calculating his next move.

He carried himself with an air of superiority, as if he believed he was above everyone else.

He was the type of fool who preened at all times, thinking he was capable of outwitting anyone, believing he had pulled the wool over their eyes.

But it was clear as day that he was a cutthroat, greedy simpleton.

Mak remembered the first time he spotted Suri at a wedding many years ago.

He fell in love with her even as the plans for the flotilla came into fruition.

According to Akkadian tradition, to court her, he needed the consent of her parents or guardians.

This led him to knock on Tewa’s door to ask for permission.

As soon as Tewa had seen him and realized he was the ?ar-In-Waiting of the Sauvage clan, he had turned on the charm, overly so.

From the get-go, Mak sensed something was off about Tewa. He seemed too rehearsed, too polished, as if every word had been crafted and practiced before being spoken.

Throughout the bridal negotiations, Tewa tried to outdo Mak with grandiose statements and exaggerated claims about his family’s achievements.

It became clear that Tewa perceived Mak as a blank check and was determined to own him in whatever way he could.

Suri had been the only reason he hadn’t blown Tewa’s head off.

He’d been smitten, enamored by her beauty, and willing to do everything it took to have her in his life.

However, a few days before his wedding night, Tewa had informed him that Suri had decided to enter a covenant.

He also mentioned he had another niece waiting in the wings, one even more beautiful.

Call him a chump, but after a period of madness, partying, and grieving, Mak had believed him and conformed to his madcap plan.

The picture of Shiloh had helped, for she was a famed beauty, but Mak had to wait for her to come of age, which would be another seven years.

Or so Tewa said.

After consulting with Kaal and his Signet pack, they agreed that hedging the risk was more significant than the reward.

Mak had gone along with the second arranged nuptials to ensure Tewa used his seat on the Syndicate council to Sauvage’s and Signet’s advantage.

The Lisade’s Don proved helpful, gaining them access to substantial deals with the rest of the Mafia families in the Syndicate with Signet as security contractors and Sauvage as shipbuilding suppliers.

As a result, both corporations’ profits soared in the subsequent years.

Tewa, on the other hand, continued to request additional funds and privileges to honor the marriage bans.

Which meant Mak worked day and night to afford the bride price, schills and diamonds Tewa kept extorting from him.

The man was deceptive to the bones, motivated by material gain, and a worshiper of money.

Being the gracious groom-to-be and a tad young back then, Mak had played along with Tewa’s games while seething in silence.

Now, he was a full-fledged man, with no intention of being exploited anymore.

Mak strode into the glittering restaurant, a jewel of haute cuisine, perched atop The Sombra’s concourse.

The chandeliers, fashioned like frozen raindrops, cast a soft glow over the opulent space.

Servers moved between tables, and the rich scents of gourmet fare filled the air, adding to the atmosphere of power and subtle manipulation.

Mak’s presence shifted the energy in the room, a quiet ripple of excitement trailing in his wake.

Koda and Kelam marched in behind him and stood guard, flanking the entrance and scanning the room.

Though Mak was running late from a previous meeting, he had no intention of apologizing. There was nothing like making someone wait to remind them who was really in charge.

As he neared Tewa’s table, he noted the smug expression falter as Mak gave him a cold, deliberate once-over.

Tewa recovered, a grin plastered across his face.

‘Greetings, ?ar ,’ Tewa purred, gesturing for Mak to sit. ‘I was starting to think you wouldn’t show.’

Mak sat opposite him, his face neutral. ‘You know how it is, Tewa. Busy day and all that.’

Tewa chuckled, a sound that grated against Mak’s nerves. ‘Of course. Now, let’s get down to business. What is it that you need from me today?’

Mak leaned back in his chair, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ‘Let’s order first.’

He raised his hand to signal the server. He picked from the menu, and when the steward left, he made his move with no preamble.

‘You lied to me.’

Tewa’s eyes widened in shock. ‘ ?arkhan ? I did not. My nieces are the ones who deceived you.’

Mak’s gaze hardened. ‘You’re the Don. You should have known that Shiloh didn’t want me and fled the wedding. Given you failed me with Suri, you ought to have been thorough with Shiloh, and your lazy slip-up makes you complicit in this shit show.’

Tewa seemed taken aback, but Mak’s glare only deepened, his anger just contained. The bitterness burned in his chest like a slow fire.

Fourteen years had been spent with the thought of finding a love that would last forever.

Tewa trembled. ‘ ?ar ,’ he said, his tone patronizing, ‘you know our custom. It is not the Akkadian tradition to force a young woman into matrimony when she asks to follow the Path of Light. Suri had her rightful claim. Shiloh chose her way, and she and Saba conspired together. In many ways, I had no part to play in either decision.’

Their food arrived, and silence fell between them as the restaurant staff served up a stunning Wagyu beef steak.

Accompanied by duck fat potatoes, sautéed vegetables, truffle and bone marrow butter, horseradish crème fraiche, and a thyme and pinot jus.

Mak ate, sipped his wine, and let Tewa deflate under his glower.

It was only after he’d had a few bites that he continued.

‘You were aware of what Suri meant to me. You knew what I was working for every day to afford the diamonds for her bride price. You were also cognizant that she was getting caught up in religious fervor and wanting to wed the Holy See instead of me. You had a million chances to warn me, but you chose to string me along for years so you could extort more money and gems from me.’

Tewa only shrugged, his eyes avoiding Mak’s gaze.

The racing pulse at his neck signaled his growing fear. ‘Why fret, ?ar ? You now have a wife. Isn’t that enough?’

Mak’s rage intensified. ‘Remains to be seen,’ he growled, the words heavy with venom.

Tewa’s face blanched, then he wiped his apprehension away with a tremulous smile. ‘Do we still have a dowry agreement? Do I still have the bride price?’

Mak stabbed a portion of his steak with his fork, his voice chilling.

‘I’ll give you the diamonds,’ he said. In turn, I expect your unwavering and continued support on all Sauvage and Signet-related matters put to the Syndicate Council.

Cross me one more time, and I’ll tear you apart, piece by piece.

I’ll take pleasure in ripping your throat out with my fangs. ’

Tewa’s beam faltered, a brief flicker of fear in his eyes before he regained his composure. ‘You wouldn’t dare,’ he muttered, trying to sound confident, but the uncertainty in his tone was clear.

‘Oh, but I would,’ Mak responded. ‘You met me fourteen years ago, when I was young and naive and impressionable. You still regard me as guileless, and in your arrogance, you believe you can still manipulate me. I’m not that unworldly, gullible youth.

I have both the Sauvage and Signet powerhouses behind me to ensure that if you attempt to walk over me ever again, I’ll destroy you. ’

Mak leaned back in his chair, savoring the tension in the air as Tewa squirmed.

His hands clenched beneath the table, his confidence crumbling.

‘You’re my mark now,’ Mak continued, his voice a dangerous timbre. ‘If you make this more difficult than it needs to be and demand more from me, I won’t hesitate to bring it all down on your head. Savvy?’

For an instant, silence ruled.

Mak stared Tewa down until the older man nodded.

‘ ?ar , I will keep to your wishes,’ he conceded, his tone bitter with resentment.

Mak gave him a narrowed gaze. ‘Not sure I can believe it yet. Still, I will test you as I also test your niece. By giving you both freedom, I want to see how your liberation unfolds. Whether you end up betraying me some more or revert to form, as manipulative, lying souls. Now leave, because I can’t fokkin ’ stand your face. ’

Tewa scrambled to his feet, his chair scraping as he fled.

Mak remained seated, letting the satisfaction of the moment wash over him as he lingered over the expensive wine and lavish dishes, with long-earned gratification.