Page 32 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

DID HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN BOY COVER UP A MURDER?

KRISTA FORTUNE: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE SCANDAL

Krista's soft footsteps echoed behind me, and I didn't have to turn to know she was there.

Her presence was a warmth that cut through the tension in the room.She stopped beside me, her arm brushing mine as she followed my gaze out the window.For a moment, we just stood there, the silence between us comfortable and familiar.

"You're brooding again," she said finally, her voice teasing but laced with concern."It's not a good look on you."

I huffed a laugh, though there was no humor in it."I'm not brooding.I'm strategizing."

She raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a small smile."Strategizing?Is that what we're calling staring at the ocean like it's plotting against you?"

I turned to look at her then, my chest tightening at the sight of her.Even now, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, she managed to find the humor in it.Her hair was messily on top of her head, and she was wearing one of my hoodies that swallowed her frame.She looked perfect.

"What if it's not enough?"I blurted out.

Krista's smile faltered slightly as she searched my face, her playful expression softening into something more serious."What if what's not enough?"she asked quietly, her voice gentle but probing.

I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat.I wasn't used to vulnerability, to admitting weakness.But with Krista, it felt different.She had a way of disarming me, of making me feel safe even when I was teetering on the edge of losing control.

"What if all of clearing my name, taking down Dante, all the evidence we've gathered, what if it's not enough to fix what's broken?"My voice was low, the weight of my fears pressing down on me."What if it's not enough to protect you?To keep you safe?"

Her brow furrowed, and she stepped closer, her hand reaching up to cup my cheek.Her touch was warm and grounding.I couldn't help but lean into it."Levi," she said, her tone firm but laced with tenderness."You've already done more than enough.You're not just fighting for yourself anymore.You're fighting for justice.It's for Selene and for all the people Dante hurt.And you're not doing it alone.I'm here.We're in this together."

Her words should have been enough to ease the ache in my chest, but the doubt still lingered."I don't want my past to keep dragging you down," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper."You deserve better than to be caught up in this mess."

Krista's eyes narrowed, and she gave me a pointed look."Stop it," she said firmly, her hand dropping from my face to poke me in the chest."You don't get to decide what I deserve, Levi.I'm here because I choose to be.Because I want to be.And if you think for one second that I'm going to let your self-doubt push me away, you're dead wrong."

I stared at her, stunned by the fierceness in her voice.There was no hesitation in her eyes, no trace of doubt.She meant every word, and it left me speechless.

She crossed her arms, tilting her head as she studied me."You're not just Levi Storm, the actor, the alpha wolf, the guy with a chip on his shoulder the size of Hollywood," she continued, her tone softening but no less resolute."You're Levi, the man who saved me when I didn't even know I needed saving.The man who shifts for a one-eyed Chihuahua and volunteers at an animal shelter because he cares.The man who, despite all his growling and brooding, has a heart bigger than he'll ever admit.That's who I choose.Not the image, not the fame, not the drama.You."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of my lungs.I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.I couldn't remember the last time someone had truly seen me and still chose to stay.My wolf stirred in my chest, a low, rumbling purr of contentment that I could feel vibrating through my bones.

Krista stepped closer, her arms uncrossing as she reached up to frame my face with her hands.Her gaze locked onto mine, fierce and unwavering."You're stuck with me, Storm.Whether you like it or not."

A laugh bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me, unexpected and raw.It felt foreign, like a forgotten reflex, but it was real."You're impossible," I said, my voice rough but affectionate.

Her lips curved into that blinding smile of hers, the one that could light up the darkest corners of my soul."And yet, here you are," she shot back, her tone teasing but her eyes soft.

I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight against me.Her warmth seeped into my skin, chasing away the lingering chill of doubt.I buried my face in her hair and inhaled her scent, letting it ground me."You're right," I murmured against her hair."I'm stuck with you.And I wouldn't have it any other way."

She laughed softly, her breath warm against my chest, and I felt her arms wrap around me just as tightly.For a moment, the chaos of the outside world faded away, leaving just the two of us in our little bubble of quiet.

But the peace didn't last long.From the corner of the room, the sound of a throat being cleared broke the silence.I glanced up to see Garrett standing in the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.He raised an eyebrow, his tone dry but laced with amusement."Am I interrupting something, or should I come back later?"

Krista pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushing a faint pink, but she didn't let go of me."You're fine, Garrett," she said, her voice steady despite the embarrassment."What's up?"

Garrett stepped further into the room, his gaze flicking between us before settling on me."We've got a situation.The press is camped outside the gates, and they're not going anywhere.They're demanding a statement from you."

I groaned, the weight of the world settling back onto my shoulders."Of course they are.What do they want now?"

"A lot of things," Garrett said, his tone grim."Mostly, they want to know about your involvement with Dante.They're speculating about Selene's death, Krista's role in all of this, and whether you're going to address the rumors head-on.Some are even questioning if Krista's just a PR stunt."

Krista stiffened beside me, and I felt a low growl rumbling in my chest."They're calling her a stunt?"I snapped, my temper flaring."After everything we've both done to take Dante down?"

Garrett held up a hand, his expression calm but firm."Don't shoot the messenger, Levi.But you need to decide how you're going to handle this.If you don't address it, they'll keep pushing.If you do, you risk giving them more ammunition."

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