Page 97 of Dark Wolf Soul
“Because the Diavolo family doesn’t care what happens to me, so there’s no point in trying to use me against them.”
“Is that what you think?”
I frown. “It’s the truth.”
“Regardless of what you believe, I called you here for a purpose.”
A purpose.
Was death a purpose?
I wasn’t sure, but I also wasn’t ready to let my guard down.
“I don’t give a shit about your purpose.”
“You will,” he says in a voice that makes me shudder.
“There’s nothing you can ask of me that I’ll agree to.”
He ignores my words and simply says, “Find out what Diavolo is planning, and report back to me.”
“Vincenzo? I already told you, he’s—”
“Not Vincenzo. The son.”
My gaze flicks to Ramsey, and dread punches me in the gut. “You told him?”
Ramsey’s expression crumples into silent anguish, but I feel zero empathy for whatever has him twisted up just now. All I can do is stare at him in horror and disgust.
“You fucking ratted on your best friend?” I demand.
“You don’t understand,” Ramsey says, but I cut him off and look back at Franco.
“You want me to spy for you?” I say in disbelief. “After abandoning and rejecting me? Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“Go to hell.”
Franco moves surprisingly fast for an old man. His hand shoots out, cracking across my cheek with enough force to make me stumble sideways. Fiery pain blooms across my skin, and my eyes water.
“You will do as I tell you, girl.” Franco’s voice is clipped with barely controlled anger.
Blinking furiously, I cup my cheek with my hand and focus on breathing. Now that I know what he really wants, I can’t help but think being dumped into a vat of acid would have been so much easier.
“Or what?” I challenge, squaring my shoulders and meeting his gaze like I’m not a completely terrified mess.
“Or the next miserable fuck I snatch off the street will be your precious fiancé.”
“I don’t care about Grey.”
“Bullshit,” he snorts, and I realize he’s seen right through me. Mia was right; I suck at lying. “Though, if you want to test me, be my guest. His death will be on you, and so will the long hours of torture that come before it. But if you don’t care…by all means, refuse me. The choice is yours, Granddaughter.”
The last word drips with sarcasm, and I decide right here that I hate him. There is absolutely no bond or debt owed to this man for being my blood. He’s evil and deserves what he gets.
After a beat of silence, I hear, “Lexi.”
My head whips toward Ramsey where he sends me a pleading look. Before I can tell him to go fuck himself, Franco grabs my chin and yanks me back to face him.
