\[Nadia’s POV\]
I lounge on the plush red couch of my Italy apartment while waiting for the arrival of Elise and the others. Goddess, this was nice, being back here in my home and not in that fucking prison cell that Rosco’s bitch landed me in. This was where people like me belonged, and that cell was where people like her belonged.
Sighing in contentment, I lift my glass of champagne to my lips and take a sip as my doorbell rings. Smiling to myself, I sit the cup down on the table beside me and get up, then begin to move across the room to the front door.
“Welcome,” I purr, pulling it open to find Elise and Byron standing there together, but to my surprise, they aren’t alone. “Who do we have here?”
“This is my cousin,” Byron explains. “His name is Alexander.”
As Byron speaks, he moves aside so I can get a better look at the man standing behind him, and to my surprise, I immediately recognize him as the one in the photos with Rosco’s wife.
“Well, well,” I murmur, reaching out and taking Alexander’s hand. “What brings you here, gorgeous?”
“I want to help,” he announces, not bothering to hide his intentions. “Just like you, I have something to gain from this.”
Something to gain... I could only assume that meant he wanted that bitch, Denali. Goddess, what the hell did these men even see in her? She was weak, and when it came to her looks, she was nothing special. Was she really that damn good in bed that she wrapped these men around her fingers?
“You can have her all you want as long as you help me get her away from my man,” I beam. “Now, please, all of you come in.”
Stepping aside, I watch as Elise and Byron come in first and then Alexander, and as they take a seat, I head back to my couch and plop down.
“Alexander,” I begin, deciding I want to feel him out first. “Can you tell me what your history with that bi... I mean Denali is?”
“She was mine before she was Rosco’s,” he responds immediately. “And I want her back.”
At his words, I feel a flare of excitement as I realize that this man sitting in front of me may be just what I need to get that bitch away from Rosco. If they used to be lovers, that meant that there was some feeling there, and if I just help along a little bit, then it wouldn’t be hard for something to happen between them that causes Rosco’s marriage to crumble.
“And why aren’t the two of you still together?” I push, wanting to know who was the one responsible for ending things. “If you love her so much, shouldn’t you still be together?”
“I was tricked,” Alexander growls.
“Tricked?” I repeat, cocking my brow. “And how were you tricked?”
Growing quiet, I wait as Alexander considers whether or not he should tell me the whole story.
“Go ahead, man,” Byron urges. “What that bitch did was fucked up.”
That bitch? Was he referring to Anastasia? Oh, this drama was getting even better.
“Anastasia slipped something into my drink one night so I would sleep with her,” Alexander slowly begins to explain. “And she recorded the whole thing. I was left with no other choice but to go along with what she wanted, and that ultimately ruined my relationship with Denali.”
“Wow, she really is something,” I giggle, leaning forward to get a better look at Alexander’s puppy dog face. “And because you went along with her scheme, the woman you love ended up married to the man I love. I suppose we both have Anastasia to thank for that.”
Anger flares in me as I speak her name and realize that she was responsible for all of this. It seemed that I truly owed her for all of this.
“But haven’t you heard?" I continue, deciding it was time to test Alexander’s determination. “She and Rosco are madly in love. How do you plan on stealing her back?”
“I know she still loves me,” Alexander responds matter-of-factly. “Once I explain the situation, then she will most certainly come back to me.”
“And if she doesn’t?” I push. “What makes you believe that you are so much better than Rosco? Don’t you know he is a great alpha that possesses immense power and has devilish good looks? What woman would choose you over him?”
I knew that I was pressing Alexander’s buttons, but I needed more than just a promise to steal that bitch back. I wanted there to be no fucking chance that she would stay with Rosco, and if I had to intervene a bit for that, then I would.
“We have history." Alexander shrugs. “There is no way that she would overlook that.”
“What about this?" Elise says, finally joining the conversation. “I can set up a meet-up for Denali and me, then you can go in my place.”
Tricking her into meeting with her ex, I liked it, but again, it didn’t guarantee anything, unless...
“One moment, please.”
Getting up, I move to my room, and once I’m inside, I begin to dig in my dresser until I find a small wooden box. Opening it, I take in the vile that lays inside with a clear liquid.
“It seems that I’m in need of your help again, old friend,” I giggle, pulling it out and moving back to the living room, where three pairs of eyes watch me. “Did you miss me?”
“What are you planning?” Byron asks, giving me a sly look. “Come on now, foxy, don’t leave us in the dark.”
Taking a seat, I throw one leg over the other and hold up the vile.
"This!" I announce, letting the group take it in. “Is exactly what will be needed for Alexander to get Denali back? It just takes a few drops in her drink, and then she will throw herself at you.”
“Oh, I like where this is going,” Elise giggles. “Shall I give my sister a call and ask her to meet me?”
“No,” I sigh. “Instead, you’re going to call her frantic, saying that something has happened. When she arrives, our hero Alexander will be saving you. They’ll be so thankful that she will want to reward him, and then he will have his chance.”
“And what if Rosco interferes?” Elise counters. “There is no way that she will be alone during all of this.”
“Leave that to me,” I beam.
“Foxy,” Byron says, his voice full of warning. “You better not be considering putting yourself in danger. You know that Rosco is ready to kill you.”
“I know,” I confirm. “But I am also the only one who knows the antidote to his precious wife’s poison. And I doubt he has told her anything about it because he doesn’t want to stress her out any further. He will come.”
“I still don’t trust it,” Byron growls, being overly protective. “I don’t want..."
“I won’t be alone,” I murmur, giving him a wink. “You’ll be nearby to help me with my end of things, won’t you, dear? While Alexander has his way with Denali, we will be making it look like Rosco and I have been together. All the news outlets will have the story by morning, and not only will Rosco be ruined, but he will also be an accomplice of a criminal. He will be left with no other choice but to clear my name in order to save his.”
It was all perfect, and now all we needed to do was get everything in motion.