04
MELUSI XULU
l slip into my tracksuit before sliding into my sleek, black car, l start the engine with a low growl. The night air is crisp, and the city’s lights shimmer in the distance. l know my destination well—a hidden base, known only to me and my closest associates.
My lips twist into a cold smile as l approached the bound figure.
Melusi : You know, I hear you’re the man who thought he could come in and take over my father’s business.
His tone is smooth, almost pleasant, but the sharp glint in his eyes tells a different story. The man spits on the floor, glaring up at Melusi .
"Ucabanga ukuthi uMkhonto is invincible? He’s getting old. It’s time for new blood to take over.”
Melusi takes a slow, predatory step closer to the man.
Melusi : I’m not the one strapped to a chair, bleeding from a dozen wounds. If you want to take over, you should’ve aimed for the crown instead of stabbing my father in the back.
The man grits his teeth, his face filled with rage.
“You’ll never be half the man your father is.”
Melusi :Maybe not. But I’ll be twice the monster.
With a swift, fluid motion, Melusi produces a knife from his pocket and presses the tip against the man’s throat.
Melusi :See, the difference between you and me is that I don’t hesitate.
“What are you going to do? Kill me?”
His grip on the knife tightens
Melusi : Not yet. But soon. ( he leans closer, his voice low and chilling.) First, I’m going to make you suffer. I’m going to show you what happens when you try to take what’s mine. And when you’re a whimpering mess, begging for death, that’s when I’ll finish you off.
The man’s eyes widen, his body trembling. “Please…”
hes silenced him with a hard slap, Melusi's expression icy.
Melusi : Don’t beg. It won’t help you now.
Melusi ( turning to two men) : Prepare him.
The men nod, moving to the side of the room. They return with a long, heavy chain and a set of brutal-looking tools.
“Please, no!” the man screams, his voice cracking.
l nod to my men, stepping back as they moved to restrain the prisoner. The prisoner struggles his feet kicking against the floor. But my two men are experienced, they quickly secure him with the chain and immobilizing his limbs.
Melusi (smirking) : Now, now. No need for all that. This is just business.
“You think you can threaten me?” he spits on my face . “You’re nothing. A spoiled brat. Your father’s empire will crumble without him.”
l chuckle , my knife tracing circles on his palm.
Melusi : You’re wrong. My father taught me everything I need to know. He may be the king, but I’m the prince, waiting in the wings. And when I take over, men like you will rue the day you underestimated me.So you see...this isn’t just about revenge. It’s about sending a message. A message that anyone who dares to cross me will suffer the consequences.
The prisoner pale, his bravado all but vanished. “Please, I-I can help you. I know things. I know people.
Melusi's smile stretches into a razor-thin line, his eyes gleaming with intensity. He leand in, his knife pressing lightly against the prisoner’s cheek.
Melusi : It’s too late for that. But don’t worry. I’ll make it quick.
he whimpers , but Melusi's eyes are hard as he drawsv the knife across the man’s cheek, drawing a thin line of red.
Melusi (calm) :A single cut snd you’re bleeding. Imagine what I can do with a dozen, with a hundred.
l move the knife lower, tracing a line across the prisoner’s throat.
Melusi : And now ( whispering, his breath hot against the prisoner’s skin) I’m going to show you what happens to those who dare to threaten my family.
With a swift, brutal movement , he plunges the knife into the prisoner’s chest, burying it deep. The man gasps, his eyes wide with shock as he clutches at the knife.
Melusi :I’m going to take your life , just as you tried to take mine.
And with a savage twist of the blade, he ends the prisoner’s life. The room falls silent, save for the sound of the prisoner’s body slumping against the chair, his blood pooling on the floor.
l stared down at the corpse, my face expressionless.
Melusi : Clean it up ( addressing his men) Make sure there’s nothing left.
The men nod , my eyes linger for a moment, my eyes fixed on the dead man’s face.
Melusi : Ukuziwe ...this is what happens when you cross the Xulu family.
l leave the scene, my boots crunching against the gravel outside the building. The night air felt colder now, more bitter. But as l slide into my car, l feel a sense of satisfaction. The deed is done.
The engine roars to life, and l speed off, the city lights blurring past as l head back to the mansion. l can already picture myself walking into the house, the taste of blood still lingering on my tongue.
l walk through the mansion’s hallways, my steps heavy and purposeful. l paused at the bar, my fingers closing around a bottle of high-end Scotch. l uncap the bottle with a snap and raise it to my lips. The liquor burns its way down my throat, a fiery heat that matches the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.
“Success,” he murmurs, the ghost of a smile flickering across his lips. But the taste of victory is tempered by the bitterness of his circumstances.
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