Page 81 of Deadly Wolf Bite

My stomach twists with uncertainty. “When can I see Grey?”

“When Vincenzo allows it.”

I want to ask so many other things but have a feeling the answers won’t be good. “Can I see Mia?”

He softens. It’s barely noticeable, but it’s there. He shakes his head. “I’m afraid that’s not up to me.”

“Will you tell her I’m okay? So she doesn’t worry.”

“I’ll tell her.”

He pulls open the door and steps out. I catch a quick glimpse of the armed guard standing outside in the breezeway before the door shuts and locks.

The echoing silence that follows hits me harder than I expect. I grab the edge of the couch, sinking onto the cushion as my knees buckle. My breathing is shallow as I struggle to draw in the air I need to stave off the darkness inside me.

I’ve been alone my whole life but never doubted my ability to survive. I’ve never wavered in my will to find a way. Being locked in here feels different. Maybe it’s knowing that Grey’s been lying to me all along. That he never wanted me to trigger my wolf. Maybe never wanted me as a mate at all. Especially now.

The way he acted tonight makes the future feel more uncertain than ever.

It makes me question everything. And that’s a prison I’m not sure I can escape.

26

GREY

Rocco and Alvaro find two dead security guards downstairs, but no trace of any other Giovanni pack members. Dom’s body is disposed of by Rocco himself. My father forbids a clean-up team, which makes the whole process take much longer than usual, but it means our secret is protected. Or it would be if my father wasn’t using it to blackmail and manipulate me into following his orders.

In the back of my mind, guilt for our failed mission tugs at me. I should’ve been alpha by now, not covering up Dom’s murder. But all I can think about as I rip up the bloodied carpet is Lexi.

Her betrayal is a raw wound rubbed with salt.

The others still have no idea.

Rocco makes it a point to tell me he texted Dutch that I’m out of pocket for the next few hours, which means the others are probably losing their fucking minds over what’s happening—but they also know better than to show up down here. It’s safer for them if they don’t.

Alvaro and I carry the ruined carpet down to the dumpster in the parking garage. Then, we head back up to lay the fresh carpet Rocco delivered from some warehouse. I don’t even ask where they get the resources they do. It’s no longer impressive, just more evidence that these men stay prepared for covering up murder.

When we’re finally done, sunrise is just beginning to lighten the skies. I stand and survey the office, looking for any sign of disturbance. The fresh carpet covers the floors and the rest of the furniture’s been put to rights.

It’s spotless.

No trace of destruction and death remains.

“Fuck, I’m exhausted,” Alvaro grumbles. “Let’s get out of here.”

Despite his complaint, his eyes are clear and alert. Any trace of the drug we gave him is gone. It’s the same with Rocco. Their arrival down here interrupted the slow dosing we had planned so they were never fully knocked out anyway. I’ve officially missed my window to challenge my father, and something tells me I won’t get another chance like this one.

Maybe Lexi wanted it that way.

The idea that she sabotaged this is almost too much to consider.

The sun’s risen by the time I make it back to the penthouse. Rocco gave me my phone an hour ago, but by then, I was too exhausted to look at it. Still, I’m not surprised to see Dutch, Mia, Razor, Crow, and Ramsey all huddled close in the center of the living room. They break apart when they see me.

“What happened tonight?” Mia asks worriedly.

“Did you challenge your dad?” Razor asks.

They scan me like they’re looking for signs of injury. I washed off the blood hours ago and put on clothes I had stashed in my car but I’m sure I smell like death.

---