Page 80 of Broken Wolf Heart
“We need to learn to trust each other,” I explain. “Besides, I want to be able to observe. To see what they really think of this new regime.”
He gives me an approving look. “You’re not so bad at strategy either.”
“Thanks. How’s Grey?”
“Getting dressed.” He glances over the assembled faces as he adds, “He’ll be okay.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugs like it’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll all be fine. “Because he has you.”
I don’t bother to remind him that I’m not exactly fit to be someone’s anchor in the storm right now.
His eyes flick toward Andy. Then to me.
“So,” he says under his breath. “What’s her story?”
I give him a look. “You mean the woman who didn’t flinch when I slaughtered her husband right in front of her and thinks emotions are just the thing that get in the way of doing her duty?”
He lifts a brow, intrigued. “She sounds like my fucking dream girl.”
“Be careful, Dutch,” I murmur. “If you break her heart, I’ll break your jaw.”
He grins, but there’s a flicker of something more serious behind his eyes. I shake my head, biting down on a smile I shouldn’t have time for, and focus on the table.
Everyone’s here—well, almost everyone. Grey’s absence is one I can feel like a sore rib. But we can’t wait any longer.
When I give her the nod to begin, Mia doesn’t waste time.
“We’re here because Vincenzo has officially declared war on both our packs.”
No preamble. No pleasantries.
“And you’re here because your pack isn’t big enough to ride in the HOV lane together,” one of the lieutenants calls out. I don’t remember his name, but his taunting expression suggests he’s not exactly an ally just yet.
At his comment, a few others snicker.
Mia’s head snaps toward the one who spoke up. Her eyes narrow.
I can feel a few people glance at me, but I don’t intervene. This is Mia’s to handle. As I have no doubt she will.
“Broderick, you’re still the same pimple you were in middle school, who doesn’t know when to shut up.”
The snickers are louder this time as Broderick’s face flushes. “I could shut you up,” he says, the words dripping with innuendo.
Irritation flares through me at the disrespect.
“Welp, he’s fucking dead,” Dutch mutters.
“You’re welcome to challenge me and try,” Mia tells Broderick, eyes glittering as she pins him with a look of pure invitation.
The unconcealed hunger in her gaze hits me, and I wonder if she’s been itching for a fight with this guy for a long time. Ormaybe Mia just likes the unexpected adventure of it all. The unpredictability of a moment, like when she stabbed that guard in the thigh yesterday.
Because then she winks and says, “But we all know you won’t proposition me with anything else after I turned you down in that bar the summer after senior year.”
Broderick mutters something, ducking his head, and the snickers turn to hoots.
Mia turns back to the rest of the group, and her smile fades. “Now, Vincenzo Diavolo might be a piece of shit, but he’s not a threat to ignore.”
