Page 19 of Dark Wolf Soul
And I don’t want anything more than I want to be free.
To remind myself of that very fact, I close myself in my bathroom and send a text to my father.
Made it back. She’s all yours.
My stomach twists as I send the last three words.
It’s true. She’s his pawn to use now.
He won’t hurt her, not physically—not when she’s so valuable to him alive. But putting her fate in his hands makes me sick.
Almost immediately, he texts back.Be there soon. Sending extra guards now.
I wonder if the guards are for her or for me.
Freedom, I remind myself. That’s what this is about.
And I’m almost there.
Even as I think it, my chest twinges with guilt. This city has been at the mercy of tyrants and monsters for decades. Growing up, I used to think I could change things. That I could really make a difference. Somewhere along the way, the futility of my desire hit me. Between my father and Franco and their never-ending feud, the people of Indigo Hills are nothing more than collateral damage. Every time I tried to help, I failed. At some point, I stopped fighting for them and decided, if I couldn’t save them, I could at least save myself.
My father might have been the one to track me down and order me home, but I only came so that I could find a way to be free of him once and for all. I’m still surprised he agreed to our deal—one last favor for being allowed to leave and never return—but I want it too badly to question his reasons. Guilt tugs at me for what it will mean to see him take over the pack, but I decided long ago that Indigo Hills is a lost cause. Hell, after what I’ve just done to Lexi, maybe I am too.
9
LEXI
Grey’s waiting for me when I exit the bathroom. Arms crossed, feet planted, he stands framed by a window with the sunlight muted by a Roman shade. Refusing to acknowledge the fact that I find him handsome as he broods at me, I look away. Instead, I glance over and note the neutral bedroom tones. The space is furnished with a dresser, nightstand, and large bed, the last of which is covered by a fuzzy comforter and matching pillows done in a soft gray. Shocking.
I turn back to my captor and do my best to appear unfazed by my circumstances—something that’s getting harder and harder to do as reality sets in.
“Better?” he asks.
“I’m not going to pee on your carpet if that’s what you’re asking.”
He drops his arms, shaking his head as he makes his way to the door. “You’re more of a smartass than I expected.”
“At least one of us expected this.” I glare at him pointedly. “Are you going to tell me what you’re planning to do with me? Or do you get off on leaving me terrified at all the possibilities I’m imagining?”
“I don’t get off on any of this.”
He seemed to get off on that lap dance, I remind myself. Even thinking it makes my cheeks flame with heat, but I refuse to bring that up now.
“Then why kidnap me in the first place?” I demand.
“Because, princess, you’re valuable. Whether you know it or not. And I need the leverage you provide me.”
I can’t help but laugh at his words. “You must have me confused with someone else. I’m not leverage, and I’m no princess. I’m worthless,” I say, my voice twisting at how much I hate that it’s true. “I’m nothing to anyone. No value at all. Sorry to disappoint, but you’ve done all this for nothing.”
“You’re Lexi Ryall. Or that’s the name you go by.”
“What the hell do you meanthe name I go by? That’s my name, dumbass.”
I clamp down on my tongue. Apparently, fear makes me a shit-talker.
His eyes flash, but his voice remains even as he says, “No, your real name is Lexi Giovanni. You’re the granddaughter of Franco Giovanni, the alpha of the entire mafia pack and the man who currently runs this city. You are his only living blood relation, and that makes you valuable currency in my world.”
His voice is calm and matter-of-fact, but that doesn’t stop my jaw from dropping.
