Page 111 of Delirium
“Ophelia, you’re smarter than that. You know that they’re not going to stop until they take everything. Every single territory, and I’m not about to lose everything The Order has gained just because some mongrels think they could do it better. I’m not gonna stand for that.”
“And neither would we,” I said. “But the alliance with you would mean going against everything we believe in.”
“You don’t have to like me, Storm.” Casimir chuckled. “You don’t have to agree with what we do, but you gotta admit—we’re pretty good at what we do. Hell, we’re the fucking best, and you know it.”
“You mean at making people disappear?” I said. “That, you’re really good at.”
“We are,” Casimir agreed. “But we’re good at other things too. If we all get into an alliance together, I can promise you that none of you would ever have to worry about anything. Especially your kids.” He smirked, the undertone of a threat lingering in the air.
That was the last straw.
“Cas, Casimir, whatever the fuck your name is,” Ophelia growled, slowly standing up. The knife was in her hand again as she leaned over the table, coming closer to Casimir. “I don’t give a rat’s ass who you are or what you can do. I don’t care how many men and women have disappeared because of you, or how many organizations are under your thumb. Hell, I don’t even give a flying fuck that you could kill me with a flick of your wrist because you have other idiots working for you who might make it happen. What I do care about is you mentioning my kids. My fucking kids!” she roared. “Do you understand me?”
Casimir nodded, all traces of humor gone from his face. That cocky little smirk he wore suddenly disappeared, replaced by the fear only Ophelia could instill in men.
“You thought you could come tonight, wave around your army of men, and we would fall down on our knees, kissing your feet? Think again,blyat. And trust me, Cas, if you ever, and I mean ever, mention my kids, even thinking of threatening them, I will find you,” she warned, snickering at the same time. “And not even Satan will help you to save you from my rage.”
“I get it,” he murmured.
“I don’t think that you do,” she added. “But you will. I’ve killed men more powerful than you, and I would kill you as well if I felt that you’re fucking around with my family,” she threatened, lowering the knife on top of the table. “You want to create an alliance with us? Great. That’s an awesome idea. But if you for even one second think that we would bend our backs to appease your sick desires, you should think again, because we won’t. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever!” she yelled out.
The tension at the table increased with every new word she said, and even Ash who wasn’t paying attention to the first half of the dinner was now looking at her, smiling at everything she said. It was obvious the kid didn’t like Casimir, and I could only wonder why.
“I didn’t come here to threaten you,” Casimir stated, straightening up in his seat.
“Could’ve fooled me,” Ophelia said as she sat down, pressing against me. “That little cocky attitude of yours might fly with government officials and dickless little fucks who think that the sun is shining from your ass…” Cillian choked on the water he was drinking. “But that shit won’t fly with us. I get it, you’re scared.”
“I’m not—” he tried denying.
“You’re fucking scared,” Ophelia repeated. “I would be too if someone tried taking my home away from me, but this isn’t the way to make friends, Casimir. You gotta understand, buddy, you’re an outsider here. Just look around you,” she said, letting it linger in the air. “I’ve known Cillian and Kieran Nightingale since we were kids. Hell, I was supposed to get married to Kieran. Do you really think that we would need you to create an alliance? Look at the Club.” She smirked. “They have more than twenty chapters around the country, with more than one thousand men and women ready to fight for their president. We don’t need you, Casimir. You,” she pointed at him, “need us, and that’s the fact.”
Silence ensued as soon as she rattled it all out, everyone looking around the table, figuring out what just happened.
“Damn,” Casimir breathed out.
“Yeah, damn,” Ophelia grunted. “You came to us, not the other way around. So if I were you, I would show a little bit of gratitude for letting you sit at this table with us. I have no doubt that you earned your position, but you gotta earn our trust if you want us to work together. You can’t just waltz in here, demanding things, mocking us, laughing at us, trying to make Storm jealous. If that’s the way you guys do things, then I feel sorry for you, because it reminds me of Nikolai Aster and the spineless little fucks who followed him all those years, until we killed them all.”
“I agree with her,” Ash said, looking at Ophelia. “Trust needs to be earned.” He glared at Casimir. “People expect that just showing up will make us trust them, but it won’t. Trust is such a fickle thing, and one simple mistake could take it away forever.”
“I know that,” Casimir grumbled.
“Then start acting like it,” Ophelia said, calmer now than five minutes ago. “Start from the beginning and start with the facts, without trying to laugh or smile or threaten any of us. I have long legs, and your crotch is not too far away.”
I lost it.
The laughter bubbled up from my chest, escaping through my lips as she so blatantly threatened one of the most powerful men in the country. Only her, only Ophelia.
I wasn’t the only one laughing. The rest of the guys were trying to keep it in, and as Casimir truly heard what she said, he started chuckling as well, his eyes glinting.
“I said it before, and I’m going to say it again.” Casimir grinned. “I think we’re going to be great friends, Ophelia.”
Over my dead body, I thought to myself, but he didn’t need to know that.
* * *
Casimir kepton talking about the plan and what he had in mind, connecting all our organizations together, explaining the logistics behind everything, but I’d stopped listening at least half an hour ago, too tired to give a shit.
My back was killing me, my eyes were closing down of their own volition, and all I wanted to have was a hot shower and bed, with Ophelia by my side. I turned to look at her as she played with the napkin on the table, the empty plate in front of her. I had a feeling she was ready to leave as well. But, true to his word, Casimir changed the way he spoke to all of us, showing a lot more respect than he initially had.
