Page 9 of Broken Wolf Heart
“It’s time,” I say, heading for the elevator.
“Where?” Razor asks, already following.
All of them are. It reminds me that the kind of pack I’ve made here with them is so different from the one my father has. Even when they’re pissed or confused, they have my back without question or hesitation.
“The generals have called a vote on recognizing Lexi as the new high alpha of Indigo Hills,” I say.
“How do you know?” Mia asks. “Lexi didn’t exactly take her phone with her.”
The elevator dings, and the doors open. We all climb back inside. “I have a source,” I tell them.
“Who?” Razor asks.
“You’ll see.”
I only hold back so they don’t give it away when they do, in fact, see who I’ve managed to bring over to our side. The last thing I want to do is expose someone willing to risk their own neck to help us.
“Are they going to let us into this meeting?” Mia asks, frowning as we ride the elevator back to the garage.
“Since the outcome affects all of us, the meeting is open to all pack members.”
“All?” Razor echoes. “Even your dad?”
“Who do you think called the meeting?” I tell him.
“Whoa.” Razor grabs my arm before I can step off the elevator into the parking garage. “You can’t go in there.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If Lexi’s threatened?—”
“Shit, your wolf will rip throats,” Dutch says.
They all pull up short.
“I can control my wolf,” I tell them.
“Maybe. But what if someone tries to hurt one of us?” Mia demands. I scowl, but she answers for me. “Your control won’t mean shit if one of your pack is threatened.”
Dutch sighs and shakes his head. “Fuck.”
I don’t argue, but only because there’s no time for it. The meeting will start without us if we don’t hurry up. “Fine. New plan,” I say, filling them in as we go.
3
LEXI
Idon’t remember getting into the car. I don’t remember the drive. All I know is, one second, I’m standing in a church with my marriage vows still warm on my lips, and the next, I’m being dragged up the marble steps of a house that isn’t mine.
No, not a house. A mansion. A goddamn empire.
The Giovanni estate is everything I imagined it would be—cold, grand, and suffocating. And that’s just my impression from the outside with its white concrete walls, imposing arches, and multiple stories offering balcony overlooks with iron railings. Not to mention the grounds that seem to sprawl as far as I can see in either direction.
None of the windows have bars on them like Vincenzo’s house did, but there’s something intimidating all the same. A sense that, once you go in, you don’t come out unless the person in charge of this place allows it.
Inside, gilded sconces line the endless white walls, casting eerie, golden light onto high, vaulted ceilings. The floors beneath my feet are pristine marble, polished so smooth I can see my reflection staring back at me.
Massive portraits of men I don’t know, men who ruled this mafia pack empire long before I ever existed, glare down from their brushed bronzed frames, their eyes full of the same judgment I’ve been drowning in since the moment I arrived in this city. My father’s name isn’t among them, but then, he didn’t live long enough to become an alpha.
