Page 30 of Dark Wolf Soul
It's bullshit. And it’s exactly the kind of thing I’ve always wanted to stop in this town. I only ever walked away because Franco finally seemed to settle into something resembling decent. For the last few years, he at least did a better job than my old man would have, and that’s enough for me.
Now, that’s no longer true, and something has to be done.
Unfortunately, somethinghas become a someone.
After twenty years as Giovanni’s biggest rival, my father is perfectly poised to do what no one else has ever attempted. He’s going to unseat the alpha of the mafia pack and put himself on that throne instead. Using Lexi to do it is just a practical means to an end. Or it was until I met her.
Now that I have, I’m not sure I can let one monster replace another. Not if it means hurting her in the process. For reasons I can’t understand, my wolf won’t allow it, and I’m not sure there’s any difference between him and me on this one.
My phone vibrates, and I see Dutch’s name on the screen.
“What?” I answer.
“We found Trucker.”
“It’s late, bro. You couldn’t call me in the morning to tell me that?”
“We found him with a girl. Maybe sixteen?”
“Dammit.” Anger heats my blood, and the need to punch that asshole myself makes my knuckles ache. “Is she okay?”
“She will be. Could use a softer touch than Razor and Crow, though.”
I sigh because I know who he wants me to call. “Where’s Mia now?”
“Not answering her phone,” he says, clearly annoyed.
I sigh again. “Did he at least give you any details on what he’s fed Franco?”
His voice drops low. “He says he’ll only talk to the princess herself.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I say. “Now?”
“That’s what he says. We’re at the cargo dump. You want me to stay put?”
“Yeah, keep him there. I’m on my way.”
I hang up and toss back the rest of my drink. This town is going to be the death of me yet.
13
LEXI
Isleep with a chair wedged beneath the knob of my bedroom door. Okay, not so much sleep as lie in the dark, trying to make myself relax. It doesn’t come easily, thanks to my racing thoughts. After all that’s happened, I don’t know whether to be more scared of the mafia head that never wanted me in the first place or the monster of a man trying to force me to marry his son so he can take power.
Two days ago, my biggest worry was earning enough money for rent while somehow not selling my soul in exchange. Now, I’d gladly sell my soul if it means not signing my body over to a man whose worst nightmare is being tied to me forever.
My heart squeezes as I imagine a life with the man sleeping across the hall from me. He’s not quite the monster his father is—or at least, I haven’t seen that side of him yet. But I can’t let myself forget that, at the end of the day, he’s my enemy.
If I’m going to survive this, I need to remember that and stop looking for proof he’s the nice guy when all the evidence I have says otherwise.
Hours later, I’m just drifting off when a noise jolts me awake again. It’s a soft chime, but in the stillness, it echoes, rattling my nerves. I sit up, listening intently as the chime comes again then abruptly cuts short.
Grey’s voice is muffled through the walls. I hear him, but I can’t make out the words.
Sliding out of bed, I pad to my door and pull the chair out of the way. Easing the door open, I step into the hall and hover at his door, straining to listen.
“…got to be fucking kidding me,” he growls. “Now?”
