Chapter 15 Detlef.

Chapter 15 Detlef.
The photo lay on my desk for three days before I decided what to do with it.

Detlef would think I was moved, Xavier would perhaps think I was distracted but I wanted them to wallow in denial.

On the fourth morning, I had a discussion with Zemirah.

She still had that sweater on, the one from last week, she was recovering fast.

"Have a seat."

"I pulled out the photo." Then I explained to her...

"We're going to make a plan."

"What if they don't retaliate, instead they ambush you and take you out?"

I only laughed at her nativity.

"This ridge, a week from now, I'll have my best men go with you. I want you to position at the valley below, that's how they'll see you, once they see you, they'll try to launch an attack."

She looked at the map with keen interest, she traced the ridge valley and roads that led both in and out.

"This is the middle of the battle field Nandez." She looked terrified.

"That's the only way I can protect you."

"But why?"

"Because I want them to fight each other, I'm setting them up, against themselves, when they're done, I will clean up their mess and rescue you."

"It's going to be a simple in and out, I swear to you by the goddess."

She stared at me for a while, I think she was getting the picture now.

"What's your end game?" She asked.

"I merge Detlef's pack into mine, disperse Xavier's army and end the threat on my army."

"So what happens to me?" She asked.

"I didn't respond right away. "You become a free woman, go wherever you want to, be whoever you want to be, have whatever you want to have. Get to make your personal decisions."

"What if I want to stay with you?"

"Just tell me what you need me to do to make that happen."

She just smiled.

\------

The three days were preparations.

Marco separated the men into neutral divisions ahead of time scheduled, small but mighty teams, this was beautiful, Detlef wouldn't even know what was coming for him.

All these while, Viviana didn't know what was about to happen, but I was sure she'd find out soon.

On the third night, she found me in my study, the map spread widely across my desk, troop positions marked, supply lines too, she stood at the door before I gestured for her to come in.

"You're going to endanger her life."

"I'm trying to save her."

"Hope she'll be able to forgive you? Because you're making a terrible mistake."

I looked at her. Viviana was wearing a simple gown, hair down, arm crossed, she looked at peace.

"I'm not seeking for her forgiveness, I'm trying to protect her future."

"How about yours? What are you going to do about yours?"

I didn't know what answer to give to her.

She moved towards the desk and observed the map.

"You love her."

"Yes."

I knew she was aware, but she'd been waiting for me to admit it.

"I noticed from the first day you both came from the diner, the way you looked at her, oh how've I've longed for that. The last twelve years of my life, I've been waiting for you to look at me that way."

"Viviana—”

She held up her hand, cutting me short. "Don't!" I don't need your explanation or fake apology, I'll leave, I'll go back to my father's territory. At least I'm loved there... There's nothing here, for me.

I got up, "you know you can't leave due to the alliances, trade agreements and security pacts your family has with mine, if you leave—"

"Fucking find a way around it, besides you always have your ways around things like this. I will not be your solution anymore, Fernandez, I wasn't even meant to be from the beginning."

I hadn't even responded before she rushed out, I wasn't fazed, I just stood there staring at the map, clueless because I didn't know what to do anymore.

Then I picked my phone and called Marco.

"The time is now." I said to him over the phone. "Everyone into position, now!!"

\------

The morning of the fourth day, I went to meet with Zemirah.

She was prepared, she had on dark mafia clothes. High boots, and her hair braided tight, she looked like a warlord queen.

"You can change your mind if you want to." I blurted
Giving her the opportunity to opt out.

"Yeah... I know."

"If you have a change of heart, speak to Marco, he'll get you out immediately."

"Alright then, good luck!"

As I turned to leave, she called me....

"Nandez."

I stopped..

"Just so you know, I'm doing this because it's in my heart to do it, not because you asked me to, or because I think I owe you, it's because I tired of being afraid of the unknown, and this is the only way I can face my fears and kick it in the arse."

I looked at this brave gorgeous goddess.

"I'll be with you, every step of the way."

She walked past me into the hallway.

"Zemirah." I called her.

"I love you."

She looked back, smiled and kept walking, it was enough for me.

The car was waiting already, Marco was the one driving, there were four SUV's lined up behind our own car, they were filled with the bravest wolves, they'd trained for this day all their lives.

Zemirah got in the back seat, I sat beside her.

As Marco drove out, I had
mixed feelings about what to expect next.

I looked at Zemirah, she was looking out the window, I could tell she really loved the view of the mountains.

"You ready?" I asked her.

She looked so calm.

"No, but it doesn't matter now."

I squeezed her palm, and let the goddess decide our fate.