Page 14 of Deadly Wolf Bite

Dutch’s dad is one of Vincenzo’s generals. In fact, every one of Grey’s friends is the son or daughter of a mafia pack general. I’ve only met the generals once, but that was enough for me to know we don’t want them discovering our plans. They’re loyal to Vincenzo, and he’s already proven what he’ll do if Grey defies him even an inch.

We file into the pool house, which is larger and nicer than any house I’ve ever lived in. White carpet and beige furniture decorate the space. Artwork with relaxing beach scenes hang on the walls. It’s not quite as opulent as the main house—and a little more lived-in, now that I’m looking closer. Video games are strewn over the entertainment center’s surface and a pair of flip flops rest upside down in the corner where someone flung them.

Dutch drops onto the couch and drapes his arm over the cushioned armrest. Razor and Crow both take a seat on the couch with him. Mia opts to stand near the window, leaning on the wall as she sips her drink.

Grey takes one of the oversized chairs opposite the couch. I take the other.

“Well?” Dutch says when everyone’s settled. “What’s the plan, boss?”

Grey’s gaze is aimed across the room, where Ramsey’s standing in front of the fridge. He comes away with another beer but stops short when he sees us watching.

“What?” he asks, his golden-haired, blue-eyed look the epitome of innocence.

If I hadn’t been with him at Franco’s, I’d never suspect him as a traitor.

But he is.

And all I feel when I look at him is contempt.

“Before we discuss our strategy, we need to get a few things straight,” Grey says. His tone is sharp, and no one says a word, even when his pause stretches.

Ramsey comes slowly forward, his drink dangling in his hand. “All right,” he says warily. “What’s on your mind?”

“First off,” Grey says, his gaze stony, “why don’t you tell me what Franco said to you last night.”

Every cell in my body screams danger.

This is it.

He already knows—and bringing us out here to this isolated space is the perfect way to deal with us without anyone ever knowing what happened.

This isn’t just a setup. It’s an ambush.

Ramsey doesn’t miss a beat. “Ugh, I fucking knew you’d hear about it. Listen, before you get all cocked on going after Dom, think it through.”

“Of course I’d hear about it,” Grey snaps. “The question is why didn’t you want me to know?”

Mia shoots me a questioning glance, but I don’t meet her eyes. I can’t. Even without Grey’s attention on me, I know he’s reading my reaction right now. I’m hyper-aware of him sitting so close to me. Close enough to reach over and grab me if Ramsey decides to throw me under the bus.

The others are deadly silent, hanging on Ramsey’s answer.

“Because it’s not hard to figure out that you feel something for her,” Ramsey says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Grey frowns.

I stop breathing, waiting to see how this will play out.

“And I knew the moment you heard Dom touched her, you’d want to kill him. But listen, we can’t afford that emotional shit right now, okay? Dutch, talk sense into him.”

Dutch blinks, and I watch as the words click into the parts of his brain that make sense. He looks over at Grey and shrugs. “Ramsey’s right. Dom deserves whatever we dish out, but we can’t get reckless about it.”

Grey’s attention swings back to me. “Did he hurt you?” he asks quietly.

“No,” I say quickly.

“The motherfucker tossed you over his shoulder from what I heard,” Dutch drawls.

Grey’s eyes narrow on me.

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