Page 134 of Broken Wolf Heart
I brace myself for the violent jealousy to hit. But my wolf merely smiles at the knowledge that the strong alpha female beside me is his. And Franco’s ghostly voice doesn’t utter a peep. The ritual changed something inside me. I just hope it means I’m back in control—for good.
I go back to sweeping the room just as Lexi tenses beside me. I sense her awareness of him through our bond before I even see him. Charlie. He stands by the back wall as if he’s just come through the kitchen door. His wrists are bound, and two guards flank him.
“I want in,” he says as we approach him.
“Who gave the order to bring you here?” Lexi asks.
“I did.” Mia steps up beside her dad and shoots me a pleading look. I shift my gaze pointedly to Lexi. Through the bond, I can feel her skepticism. She doesn’t think having him here is a good idea. I don’t disagree.
“He wants to help,” Mia says to Lexi. “I think we should let him.”
“Helping us stop Vincenzo is one thing,” Lexi says. “But if you go in there, you’d likely have to harm the men you once considered brothers. Are you sure you’re up for that?”
Charlie nods, eyes hard. “I helped him build this nightmare, and that’s something I’ll have to live with. But now, I need to help tear it down.” He glances at Mia. “Brothers or not, it’s time I fight for my daughter.”
Lexi hesitates, and I watch the decision play out in her expression even as I feel it through our completed bond. Holy hell, it’s so much stronger than it was before. She looks up at me as if she’s thinking the same thing.
“What do you think?” she asks softly.
We both know everyone can hear us. But it won’t matter once the decision has been made.
“He’s here. Choosing us,” I say. “That has to mean something. Besides, we’re all fighting our family today.”
Lexi nods and looks back at Charlie.
“Can you get to Rocco?” she asks. “Make him stand down?”
“You would show him mercy?” Charlie asks, clearly surprised.
“Of course,” she says. “If we can avoid just one person raising a hand in violence against their own blood, it will be worth it.”
Dutch steps forward. “Lexi, you don’t have to do this. I made my choice.”
“I know,” she tells him. “But we’ll let your dad make his.”
They share a look, and finally, Dutch nods. “I’ll take Charlie with me. If my father refuses his offer to surrender…I’ll handle it.” He looks at Charlie, daring him to argue.
Charlie nods. “I’d expect nothing less.”
Dutch turns back to Lexi, expression hardening into a stony resolve. “And I’m not leaving that building without Andy.”
“That works for me,” Lexi says.
“I’m coming with you,” Mia says.
Lexi nods. “Okay.”
“Take a team,” I say. “If anyone surrenders, someone from your team escorts them directly here to swear loyalty to their new alpha, or the police take them into custody until they’re banished.”
“Got it.” Dutch and Mia call out for a couple of the others, and they all disappear into the back room together.
Savannah walks up, camera crew in tow. “You sure about this?” the reporter asks. She looks equal parts nervous and thrilled at being so close to the action.
Lexi glances out the window, where the office building across the street is deceivingly quiet considering our obvious mobilizing. “The city deserves to know what’s really happening.”
“Yes, but in real time?” She glances at me. “You know this will bring a crowd.”
“That’s what we want,” I tell her. “Let them pick a side.”
