Wolfgang showers quickly at his flat. He checks his landline on the off chance that Kala thought to call his place, but there are no messages.
He frowns down at the keypad, trying to recall the pattern he'd made when he dialed her number just the other night, but of course it's useless. He doesn't remember Kala's phone number.
Wolfgang returns to the club, his mood soured. He makes his way back into his office, no less furious than when he left the gym, but now even more wary of Lila.
His phone is locked: She can't access any information from it, even if there is anything of value for her to take. She knows this. Taking the phone was just a way to get his attention, but he's no longer certain why.
Wolfgang lights a cigarette and paces in front of his desk. He stops at the window that overlooks the club floor and watches the activity below, smoking absently. He replays his encounter with Lila in his head, puzzled that she is pushing so hard for him to take Berlin. He had been so sure that she had given up the idea, sure that Lila was only here to establish herself over Kala and then move on when she inevitably could not recapture his attention.
Something isn't right. Wolfgang frowns sharply.
Lila has been pressing him to take over the Four Kingdoms of Berlin - the territories carved by prominent crime families - since his grandfather's death six years ago. Hassan Bogdanow was the force that held the disparate families in check; alliances splintered after he died. No one really trusted or respected Sergei or Steiner the way they had Hassan.
But they respected Wolfgang.
Wolfgang flicks the ashes of his cigarette into a potted plant beside him.
Despite Wolfgang's disdain for the family business, Hassan gave him responsibilities beyond being just a boxman. Unlike Steiner, Wolfgang was fluent in Russian and dealt with everyone from the German-speaking kings to the Bogdanows' Russian benefactors. Everyone knew him: understood that he could be difficult but reasonable. Wolfgang's word was good, which was more than could be said for most.
Lila saw this as an opportunity.
Wolfgang scoffs at memories of Lila's persistence: how she tried everything to convince him to take over after Hassan died, then after Sergei and Steiner were killed.
Being a king was Lila's dream, never his. Wolfgang has no doubt she can pick up where his grandfather left off. She already has a reputation of her own, enhanced by her public-facing position at Fuchs' corporation.
Six months ago he thought she was in danger from Fuchs, trapped in a brutal situation. Wolfgang promised to help her, even if that meant compromising the hard-earned peace he and Felix sought. He couldn't turn his back on Lila when she had seemed so desperate.
It took him a day or two to realize she was gaming him: trying to force his hand into finally taking over his grandfather's territories so she could return to Berlin under Wolfgang's "protection", safe from Fuchs. She intended to run the city beside Wolfgang, as she's always wanted.
Wolfgang wonders now how he had been so stupid.
He was furious when he learned the truth. But after he cooled off, Wolfgang admitted he should have known better.
Before they separated in Amsterdam, he told Lila he wouldn't stand in her way if she wanted to stake her claim to Berlin. He refused to broker any deals, but he would give her the names of his grandfather's contacts to negotiate for herself. In exchange, she would leave him and Felix completely out of it: He and Felix were done with the kings. Lila had agreed. Reluctantly. He assured her she didn't need him.
Six months ago, it seemed she finally believed him.
So why is she pushing her old agenda now?
Wolfgang puts out his cigarette, moves back to his desk, expression thoughtful.
To be fair, he didn't make it clear that leaving him "out of it" meant the end of their hookups.
He doesn't doubt that Lila came back to Berlin out of curiosity: Fischer is the type to run to her about Kala. Lila would want to know if Fischer is exaggerating; she would want to see for herself if Wolfgang is serious about someone other than her. Not because she is jealous - they were never very interested in being monogamous even when they were together - but because she wants to assure herself that whatever relationship he believes he has doesn't change anything for her and Wolfgang. Business as usual. Fucking as usual.
Wolfgang turns on his computer, frowns as it boots up.
If he and Felix want to stay in Berlin on neutral footing with the kings, he needs to sever his ties with Lila. Her ambition doesn't lend itself to staying neutral, as her theatrics in Amsterdam proved. He and Felix have worked too hard to jeopardize their business and reputations for the sake of a good fuck. When Felix spontaneously blurted Kala's name to Lila, Wolfgang latched on to the idea with no encouragement. It was as good an excuse as any to finally end their connection.
The computer screen blinks expectantly at him.
Wolfgang gives a huff of frustration. He doesn't remember Lila's number. The only way he can think to reach her is if she is still at her hotel.
He looks up the number and calls from his office phone. He exhales in relief when the operator transfers him to Lila's room. The phone rings for several seconds before it goes to voicemail. Wolfgang is not surprised Lila doesn't answer. He leaves a terse message and hangs up.
He wonders again, uneasily, why she is still here.
He wonders if he should say something to Kala: It's simple enough to meet her at work, where he knows she'll be for at least a few more hours. But what is there to say? Lila has not attempted to approach Kala or had anyone watch her, as Yeruslan confirmed. With Mitaiki gone, Wolfgang doubts Lila will try anything on Kala. Instead, she seems to be focusing her attention on pressing him.
Wolfgang checks the time again. He told Kala he would call. He considers asking Felix for her number but winces at the explanation he'll have to give.
Wolfgang's two-way radio goes off. Yeruslan tells him that the bartender is asking about the liquor delivery that isn't coming today, and that two of the servers won't be working because they're sick.
Wolfgang releases a tight exhale.
He doesn't have time for Lila's games.
He tells Yeruslan he'll be down shortly.
...
Felix calls him in the office during the brief time Wolfgang is back from the floor. Wolfgang shakes his head, rubs a hand across his jaw before he picks up his phone.
Felix asks if the liquor delivery was straightened out or if they have to beg for bottles elsewhere. He doesn't seem surprised that Wolfgang has found another supplier, and he seems ready to hang up when Wolfgang asks him for Kala's number.
Felix sounds confused. "Don't you have it?" he asks.
Wolfgang tenses. "Yeah," he says. "But I don't have my cell."
Felix's tone is wary. "Why?"
Wolfgang releases a short breath and tells him: that Lila found him at the gym; that she wants him to take over Berlin with her, and he rejected her. That she took his cell.
Felix's silence is more unnerving than the shouting Wolfgang expects.
He waits for several seconds before Felix exhales into the phone. "I knew it," he says roughly. "I knew it. I didn't think Lila was back just to make sure whatever toxic shit you had going before she left you for Fuchs is still alive. If that was true, I think you proved your point. Scheisse you're even sleeping with Kala for real." Wolfgang frowns sharply, but Felix continues, blunt: "Lila wants you back. Not just your dick, but you. Back. With everything. With the kings. Don't do it. Don't let her drag you."
"I know." The words come harsher than intended, mostly from some latent guilt that it had almost worked. "She won't. I'm clear."
Felix mutters something under his breath. "Maybe to you, but you know how Lila is." Wolfgang says nothing. "Look," Felix adds, his voice subdued, "if it looks like Lila is digging in, you should probably stop this thing with Kala. Easier just to deal with Fischer."
Wolfgang's frown deepens. "She won't bother Kala," he says. "Lila's been focused on me. First the zoo, now this. She thinks my grand romance is messing with my head."
"I guess." He can almost see Felix pacing, agitated. "Wolfie. I'm not gonna ask because I know you're gonna give me a bullshit answer." Felix pauses. "But if you haven't stopped seeing Lila, just fucking stop now. Let her keep your fucking phone. Fuck that. Don't fall for it. And that's it. Game over. She'll get the message. You're done."
Wolfgang nods slightly, brows furrowed.
"But if she still doesn't leave," adds Felix, "you need to stop seeing Kala. We'll figure an epic breakup or something. But Kala can't be hanging around if shit happens."
"I know," Wolfgang huffs, aware that what Felix says is sensible, but irritated by it, nonetheless. "Look," he mutters, "could you just give me Kala's number? I don't remember it. I told her I'd call."
There's just the slightest pause: "Yeah. About that." Felix sounds almost sheepish. "I can't give it to you right now. The damn cat chewed through my cable, and my phone is dead. I have to wait until the cell store is open tomorrow to get a charger. Didn't you notice this is my mom's landline?"
Wolfgang's eyebrows tick up as he glances at the display on his desk phone. "No."
Felix sighs. "You're gonna have to go and tell Kala. Are you sure Lila can't unlock your phone?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." Felix sounds relieved. "Just go meet Kala after she gets off of work. Give her a heads-up." He sighs again, weary. "We'll see what Lila does next, then we'll figure something out."
Wolfgang nods stiffly although Felix can't see him. He wants to argue, to tell Felix that there's no need to alarm Kala about Lila or about anything else. But he knows Felix is right. Felix is always right. "Yeah."
Felix is quiet for a moment. Wolfgang doesn't want to ask what he thinks. He's pretty sure he can guess. "We'll figure something out," Felix says again, maybe more gently.
Wolfgang can't help the faint scoff in his voice. "Sure," he says.
...
Wolfgang waits for nearly an hour outside the lab where Kala works. He checks his watch, wonders if she left early or is still working. Many people leave in intermittent waves; he scans each crowd from a discreet distance but doesn't see her.
He sees Lukas Fischer leave alone, and for a moment thinks about approaching him to ask if Kala is still there. But he hesitates, and Lukas is too far away to catch up to without causing comment.
He waits several minutes after Lukas is gone before he walks back to his car. He debates whether he should go to Kala's flat. He doesn't need to return to the club for another hour: It's possible he missed Kala in an earlier crowd and she's on her way home.
Wolfgang gets into his car and starts the engine, checking his watch again.
He sighs, brows drawn as logic sets in.
By the time he reaches her flat, even if Kala happens to be home when he arrives, it will be time for him to head back to the club. It's ridiculous to drive all over Berlin just to tell her that Lila has his phone, to worry her with any lurid stories. Nothing came of it except the inconvenience of not being able to call when he told Kala he'd do so; they have no plans for tonight, anyway.
In any event, Kala knows he's busier than usual with Felix gone. And while normally he wouldn't be so concerned with the opening hours, between the liquor and last-minute staffing, he should be at the club to make sure things run smoothly when it opens.
Wolfgang exits from his parking spot, brows drawn.
Lila will leave before the weekend is over. It doesn't really matter what it is she hopes to accomplish by taking his phone. And once Lila leaves, it won't be necessary to abruptly end things with Kala before they've decided on their own terms.
His brows lift a little at his own thoughts. It's curious, whatever it is with Kala. He'd thought of her often in the weeks following Fischer's party. Maybe, if Lila had not returned, he would have reached out to her eventually. But he doubts it. There was a certain uneasiness in his attraction to her, something he couldn't quite identify but made him reluctant to call her as he'd normally do. It unnerved him a little. It still does, even though circumstances are different.
Wolfgang's hand tightens around the gear shift.
Whatever it is, he's not ready to give it up. Not yet. Certainly not for Lila.
Wolfgang drives away from the lab and heads back to the club. He might not know what time Kala gets home, but he knows what time she leaves for work. He'll leave the club a little early, catch her at her flat before she goes. Maybe he can convince her to be late, have breakfast.
He gives a mental shrug, not quite satisfied but at least he has a plan.
…
The hotel room is small but neat, surprisingly quiet given its location.
Kala can barely sleep.
She frets in equal parts outrage and worry, unsure whether she should be afraid that Lila Facchini might very well be psychotic: Sending people to spy on her ex; stalking him at the zoo; breaking into his girlfriend's flat to leave cryptic messages. Who does that?
Kala tosses to her other side. She thinks of movies she's seen and firmly shoves those unlikely images from her mind. She tries to focus instead on getting some rest.
Her night is so fitfull that Kala wakes, startled by her alarm clock, surprised she got some sleep after all. She moans a little, her head already throbbing from a dull headache. She checks her phone before showering: no missed phone call or message from Wolfgang, only a message from Hernando telling her she doesn't have to get him coffee since Lito made some amazing atole to bring to work. Hernando, of course, is pleased to share.
Kala smiles faintly.
She readies for work like usual, catches her train and then transfers to her regular bus.
She is almost at the lab when her phone goes off with a notification. Kala's eyes light with surprise and a little relief to find a message from Wolfgang. She didn't realize how concerned she was for him until that moment.
The message makes no mention of her earlier calls. Instead, it is brief, almost terse: Meet me at the coffee shop by the lab at 8.
Kala's brows knit. She wonders if anything is wrong that he asks to see her before work. Kala glances outside the window of her bus. It is just past 7:30 and she should arrive well before 8. She gives a quick reply: See you there.
Kala sits back against her seat, glad for the opportunity to see Wolfgang. She wants to tell him about the note, ask why Lila would do such a thing. She wonders at Wolfgang's reaction, if he'll be as surprised as she was. Or maybe he'll simply be too tired to care.
Kala gives a self-conscious half smile.
Perhaps Wolfgang is just now returning from the club and decided to see her before going home to sleep. After all, she had called him multiple times. She expects that as busy as he was last night, it can't be any easier on a Friday.
The coffee shop is busy this morning but not overly so. Kala looks around at the few tables and doesn't see Wolfgang.
While the promise of atole sounds delicious, Kala stands behind two people as she waits to order her coffee.
She isn't queued for long before there is a deliberate, light tap against her elbow.
"I saved you the trouble, my dear."
A cup of coffee is offered by a slender, jeweled hand. Kala's startled gaze focuses on the exposed wrist before she turns to the woman behind her.
Lila smirks back, placing the coffee cup in Kala's stiff hands. "Join me?" she asks, although it is more of a statement. She loops an arm around Kala's waist and steers her to a table.
A/N: I'm back from my unexpected hiatus!
Thanks, everyone, for your continued patience.
Lots of thanks and gratitude go to my beta for tightening up this chapter and basically keeping the scenes from being a confusing mess.
As always, reviews are very much appreciated, and thank you very much for still reading?