Page 12 of Deadly Wolf Bite

I find the gorgeous redhead lounging beside a pool fit for the Olympics. She wears dark sunglasses and a black-and-white striped bikini that, along with her red hair, gives off a classic-movie-star vibe. Sunlight casts her skin in a bronze glow, highlighting the freckles dotting her cheeks. The entire scene could be printed on a postcard. Only the slight breeze stirring her hair gives it away as real.

When I stop in front of her, she reaches up and slides her glasses down her nose much like Dutch did. “You’re alive.”

And just like that, the pretty picture is slashed into pieces, and I’m on full alert. “Was there a doubt?”

“Sit.” She points to the empty lounge chair beside her.

I take it, still on edge. Does she know what Ramsey did to me last night? Does everyone? Is this a setup?

“He’s not using you,” she says. “Well, not entirely.”

“Who?” I ask, confused.

“Grey.” She says it like it’s obvious, but I honestly have no idea what we’re talking about here.

“Okay…”

“Look, if you don’t trust him, just tell him that. You don’t have to fake an illness to avoid going out with him. He’s a big boy. He can handle the truth.”

“I wasn’t?—”

Razor and Crow emerge from the house, followed by Ramsey. The three of them are laughing and hooting about something. At the sight of Mia and me, they offer boisterous greetings and matching grins.

“Fucking finally,” Mia says with a huff. “You ladies take forever to answer a summons. What if it had been an emergency?”

“Crow couldn’t get his hair right,” Razor says, reaching out to ruffle his half-brother’s hair.

“Fuck off.” Crow shoves Razor.

Razor shoves him back.

They nearly knock each other to the ground in a sudden wrestling match.

“Ramsey, do something,” Mia says, sitting up.

“What the hell do you want me to do?” Ramsey asks.

“Ugh. I swear, I’m surrounded by children.” Mia jumps up and rushes over, easily yanking the brothers off each other. It’s impressive, her tiny stature overpowering their muscular bodies. Of course, Mia’s a powerful wolf shifter just like they are, but it’s hard to wrap my brain around it when she’s standing next to them and looking so slight in comparison.

I can’t help but wish I had strength like that too.

Would Franco think twice about messing with me if I were a wolf? Would Vincenzo?

With their fight over, Mia starts lecturing the two of them about manners. I smile at their sheepish expressions—until Ramsey steps into my path, blocking my view.

My smile evaporates.

I force myself to focus on his face, bile rising. I hate the way he stands here, pretending he’s not selling out his friends to their worst enemy. But mostly I hate that he forced me to do it too—which has essentially put us on the same side. So, now the sight of him reminds me that I hate myself.

He comes toward me, his happy-go-lucky expression replaced by a tightness that hardens his sparkling blue eyes to granite. Ramsey reminded me of a Greek god the first time I saw him. Now, that’s even more true, considering how fucked up and backstabbing those gods really were.

“What did you tell Grey?” he asks, pulling up a chair from the table nearby.

“About what?” I ask stubbornly.

His eyes narrow. “You know what.”

I glance away from him. “I told him I was sick.”

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