Page 11 of To Hunt A Wolf
“I didn’t kill the alpha,” I say.
“Dirk says otherwise.”
“Dirk is lying so he won’t be brought up on his own charges.”
It’s a classic maneuver on Dirk’s part. Cliché even. But either Thiago doesn’t see it, or he doesn’t care.
The slow-curling smile he offers tells me it’s the latter.
“Prove it, little Quinn.”
His voice is velvety soft. A challenge. A dare. The look in his eye tells me he knows I can’t.
“The pack is in mourning,” he adds. “They’re devastated over the loss of their alpha and demanding justice. What kind of alpha would I be if I denied them that? And with his murderer already in captivity?”
I glare at him, but fear slides beneath my skin.
“It wasn’t me,” I say, but we both know my words are hollow without proof.
“I see. And who was it then?”
I scowl, not offering an answer.
“I found you standing over his dead body. A Romantic with every reason to hate the man. Tell me, Mac, if you were in my position, what would you think?”
“I’d think I need to investigate,” I say, but deep down, I can see his point.
I’m a reject with a broken heart. A Romantic, though I hate that label. I have motive, even though I’d never use it as a reason to kill in cold blood. That’s not me, despite my rep or line of work.
Unfortunately, my rep and line of work are what make me a perfect killer. Thiago knows it, and I do too.
“The thing is, little Quinn. I’m in a tight spot here. On the one hand, vengeance must be had. On the other, you’re Kari’s best friend, and I know my little sister would be heartbroken if she had to watch you die publicly.” He sighs like it’s a real conundrum. Like he cares.
My veins burn with wolfsbane and rage.
His mention of Kari is a trigger. He’s been cruel to her for years, always in secret. Always behind the back of his father. But now, there’s no one to hide from, and that terrifies me more than my own fate.
“Leave Kari out of this,” I say through clenched teeth.
Thiago smiles. Sort of. It’s a dead kind of smile that turns my veins cold.
“Tell you what. You bring me who actually killed my father, and I’ll let you live. For Kari.”
I blink.
My surprise teeters dangerously close to relief before I realize what’s happening. He believes me. Thiago knows I didn’t kill his father. Otherwise, he’d never let me go. He’s using me. Manipulating me to get what he really wants. I can’t tell if what he wants is his father’s killer—or me gone so he can mess with Kari unhindered.
“I’ll give you a name,” I say. “You can send your men to hunt him down.”
“A name.”
“Yes.” My stomach twists even as I say it. The idea of selling Levi out is…horrific. But if I don’t—what will Thiago do? “I saw the killer. He ran out right before your men stormed in. I’ll give you his name. And you can let me go.”
One glance at his hardened eyes and I know he’s not going to go for it.
“A name is hardly a fair trade for your whole life, little Quinn.”
“It is when I’m innocent,” I shoot back.
