Page 35 of Dark Wolf Soul
“This asshole’s been feeding information to Franco,” he explains. “He claims he has information for you that he’d only deliver face to face.”
“What information?” I ask.
Grey gives the man a pointed look. “Spill it.”
“You don’t look like an heir to an empire,” he says to me.
And even though I couldn’t agree more, his words make me feel inadequate and embarrassed.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really care about the predator vote,” I tell him.
He laughs—or tries to, it turns quickly into a cough that spews more blood and saliva down his chin.
I resist the urge to step back.
“Ah, you’re a Giovanni after all, I see.”
I don’t answer.
“The old man never wanted it this way, you know.”
I stiffen. “So, giving me up for adoption and never coming to find me or tell me I had family was an accident?”
“He was protecting you.”
“From what?” I ask.
I have no idea if this guy is speaking the truth, but with so little information to go on, I’ll take whatever scrap I can get. Even from a stranger in a warehouse in the middle of the night.
“What the hell do you even know about Franco’s intentions?” Grey’s friend demands. “You’re a sewer rat. A fucking traitor. You can’t possibly know what Franco wants.”
“As a matter of fact, Franco invited me to have a seat at the table,” Trucker says. “He believes those of us who’ve put in our time should get something in return, which is more than I can say for what this family’s given me.”
“We’ve given you a life, a home, protection.” Grey’s expression hardens. “More protection than you deserve, considering what you were trying to do to that girl.”
Claire sniffles, and my heart squeezes with what she’s been through. With that in mind, I suddenly trust this asshole’s information a lot less.
“Grey,” I say quietly, hugging my hands to my arms. His gaze snaps to mine. I glance back at the girl still cowering in the corner. “Can we go?”
“Yeah,” he says with a sharp nod. “This was a waste of time. Sorry for dragging you out—”
“Shit. She tells you to jump, and you’re already asking how high.” Trucker snickers. “Looks like you finally went and got yourself a real boss to run this shitshow.”
Grey glares at him. “You already got more than you deserve from me tonight.”
Trucker’s lip curls as he looks at me again. “You’ve already gone to their side.” He clucks his tongue. “A damn shame too. Your old man would’ve welcomed you with open arms. You could have been on the winning side of this fucking war right along with the rest of us. But now… you’re fucking worthless to him. The only thing you’re good for is securing me my rightful fucking seat at his table.”
A ripple of unease runs through me. How can I secure his seat with Franco?
Before I can ask, he springs to his feet. My shock sends me reeling backward as he transforms into a wolf and lunges—not at Grey but at me.
“Run!” Grey’s command is swallowed by the attacking wolf’s snarl that echoes off the concrete.
I turn and race for the door then veer toward the wall to avoid getting tackled as the angry wolf attempts to head me off.
Grey’s friends surround me and Claire, shoving us back against the wall and screaming at us to get out. I make sure Claire goes first and then stumble sideways to avoid getting smashed.
On the far side of the room, Grey shifts, his human body transforming into an enormous wolf in less than a blink. The sight of it distracts me, and I barely avoid getting cut to ribbons by Trucker’s claws before I’m yanked out of the way just in time. But the angry wolf is already coming again, and Grey’s snapping teeth are barely holding him back.
