The next night, Kelechi stood before the entrance of an upscale club, the kind of place where power wasn't just bought; it was earned. Malik had sent her here, a meeting with a man who was high in Oba Eze's circle.
The man who held the key to everything.
She felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Every step toward the door was a step further from the woman she used to be. The woman who had loved Ayo, who had dreamed of a future without bloodshed.
Now, that woman was gone.
The man Malik had set her up with was waiting inside, and she knew the conversation would be a dangerous one. He wasn't just going to hand over information.
He'd want something in return. The price for the truth was always high.
She walked into the club, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The lights were dim, the air thick with tension and unspoken deals.
She spotted him at the far end of the room—a tall man, dressed in a dark suit, his gaze already locked on her.
"Ms. Kelechi," he greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've been expecting you."
"You have something for me," she said flatly, not bothering with pleasantries.
He raised an eyebrow. "And you're just here to collect?"
"I don't have time for games," Kelechi replied, her voice sharp.
He laughed, though it was low and humorless. "No, I suppose not. But you've come to the right place. Information is expensive, Ms. Kelechi. And I'm not in the habit of giving it away for free."
Kelechi's fingers brushed the edge of the gun hidden in her coat. "I'm not here to haggle," she said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I'm here for what I need. If you want to stay alive, you'll give it to me."
His eyes flickered to the gun, then back to her face. A smirk played at his lips. "You're a bold one, aren't you? I like that."
The tension between them crackled, thick with the promise of violence. But Kelechi wasn't intimidated. She couldn't afford to be.
"You'll get your information," the man said, his voice suddenly cold. "But remember, there's always a price. You might not be able to pay it when the time comes."