Bought by My stepbrother, the don

Chapter 44: Frustration

Carmen’s POV

The next day was a weekend and I was more than relieved when I saw no signs of Nico. Most likely because I refused to leave my room while ordering in food from the chef.

Bite me but I wanted to relax even for one day and that was exactly what I did.

Watching movies and eating junk food. I thought this would at least continue until Monday only to hear a knock on my door which I was tempted to ignore. But another and I got up to pull the door open only to be stunned to see Nico standing right there immaculately dressed in a tuxedo with a Bolaji bow tie.

"Get dressed. Something colourful. It’s important," he said turning around to leave the next instant and i masked my face into one of complete indifference which was a lie by the way my heart thumped sporadically in my chest as I shut the door behind me.

Refusing to dwell on the dashing image of him i had seen I hurriedly took my bath picking a light blue dress that matched the color of my eyes as I bound my hair into a messy bun on my head.

Vera would have done a better job but the results after I was done with my makeup was still extremely good. Picking a black pair of shoes, ignoring the cut of the dress that reached all the way to my thighs as I headed out of my room with a small black purse in my hand where I had stashed my gun.

Nico was waiting by the entrance with his hands in his pocket head lifted in an almost arrogant manner even as I noticed his eyes light up as he fixed his gaze on me. Clearly he liked the dress.

"You could have informed me earlier if it was that important," I tell him the moment I get to him and he pulled me over to the car. We had barely settled in when the bodyguard in front the same one that always rode with us passes a folder to him which he instantly passes to me.

I had barely opened them with a frown sliding onto my face when I heard him begin to speak, "...those are all the businesses and shares your father allocated to you, I had Gordon send them over," he said and I could help but feel ashamed that it hadn’t crossed my mind to check them individually first to make sure that they were fine.

’This is why getting involved with Nico is a bad idea! He’ll distract you,’ I thought to myself my eyes scanning the pages in front of me as I heard him continue to speak.

"A group of people have been buying large shares in all those businesses. By itself it’s a small amount..." Nico said even as I nodded my head, "...but together, a sole buyer would become a rival," I finished even as I realized just how big of a problem it actually was a problem I had missed.

Balling my fists together until it hurt as I realized that if I was not proactive Nico could steal from me and I wouldn’t be aware of it almost like I had forgotten my father’s rules. "Find problems and fix them yourself. People are tools and nothing more,"

"It’s hard to believe that that’s the only reason why we’re going to..." pausing since I had no idea where we were heading to, "It’s a private Campaign fundraiser for the current governor masked ss a charity dinner," Nico said even as I slowly comprehended what he said ss he continued.

"I received some information from Gotti from the people he tortured and it led to one person in particular at this gala. I intend to meet them and speak to them while you try and figure out who your new competitor is by talking to them," he said and it was hard to try and not frown

I had no doubt he was telling the truth at least most of it ss he spoke but beyond that I also realized the amount of work he had done in the space of days. His resources and reach would also have helped as I realized that I had nothing.

Yes the shares and ownership of the 50% my father gave me had been given to me. I had money but I didn’t have power. All my father’s men were still being controlled by Bianca something that would not change as long as I remained with Nico’s house.

Aware that even if gave me men that answered to me they would answer to him first. It was better to have no reach than have disloyal men which was what had almost gotten Gotti killed.

I slowly slammed the folder in my laps shut taking a deep breath ss I closed my eyes and turned my gaze towards the window. My lashes lowered realizing I depended on Nico more than I should something I hadn’t even been aware of. I also owed him.

"You didn’t think you should asked me first before asking Gordon for the list to my businesses?" I asked a bitter ring in my tone which I couldn’t hide as I scrambled for straws. Expecting Nico to lash out something I almost desperately wanted. Some space and a bit more anger between us would be enough to straighten my head out from whatever cloud it was embedded it. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

I was being lax and in the world I lived in it was the fastest way to get yourself betrayed and killed. But instead all I heard was a low voice that sounded more genuine than I was comfortable with.

"I’m sorry. You’re right. The least I could have done was inform you," he said and I jerked my head to glare at him with all the hate I could muster even as he tilted his head with a smirk on his lips and a glint in his eyes that said he knew exactly what I was doing and how I felt which only made me mad.

Madder than I had been in a while which was not good since I tended to act first and ask questions later and somehow Nico wasn’t any better as I caught a spark of anger in his eyes.

"I’m sticking to my part of the contract going above and beyond yet you can’t even commit to the simplest things," he said and I knew he was referring to me leaving abruptly and denying whatever tension was between us.

"What’s the use of a contract if you can’t trust me? You flinch and scurry away with a single touch?" He said his gaze calm and cool even though I could feel a tower of fristration built into his tone.

He didn’t look at me with his gaze forward which only made it even more annoying since he was changing the subject. "You should have informed me about the list before you went through them, it’s basic cutesy," i point out again with steel in my tone but this time around Nico turned his gaze to me and it was ice cold. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

His expression still blank but his blue eyes shone with irritation, "...maybe I would have if I wasn’t confident the last person you would want to speak to or see was me. This could be work better if you put a bit more effort," he pointed out and somehow I knew he wasn’t just talking about the contract between us.