Page 20 of Deadly Wolf Bite

“I won’t force her,” I growl, my temper lashing out hot and aggressive.

“Whoa, okay. Chill, dude.” He sighs. “I mean, you could ask her permission first.”

“And what if it doesn’t work?” I demand, my voice rising.

“She’s stronger than you think. She’d be fine.”

I don’t bother to argue something so non-negotiable. Instead, I change the subject. “Did you learn anything about my father’s comment? About controlling Lexi or about why she can’t access her wolf?”

“It’s been less than a day since you asked, dude.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “So, no. I haven’t learned anything.”

“Time is of the essence here.” I toss his words back at him, impatience fueling my temper.

“Very funny. Dude, relax. We’ll figure it out. I’m sure he just meant that he could use alpha compulsion on her once she’s turned,” Dutch says.

In the background, something echoes as it falls over and rolls away. I shake my head, picturing the mess of empty beer cans and chip bags that’s Dutch’s private suite. The entire Marini estate is immaculate thanks to the housekeeping services Sonesta employs, but Dutch refuses to allow them into his space. And it shows.

“Maybe,” I allow. “But the asshole always has something else up his sleeve.”

“Like what?”

“That’s what we need to find out. Has your old man said anything?” I ask.

“Only that Lexi’s the key to finally wiping the Giovanni bloodline from this city for good—and other dramatic, war-criminal shit like that.”

I sigh. Rocco still doesn’t fully trust Dutch, and while his hesitance is clearly for good reason, it’s slowing us down. “See what you can find out about why Lexi’s parents left town in the first place. It might give us a clue or direction to look in for what happened to stifle her wolf.”

“I’m on it,” he says, and I picture him sitting down in front of his computer.

He’s not the best hacker we have access to, but he’s the most determined. And the most loyal. After today, I’m keeping my circle of trust small.

“Call me when you’ve got something.”

I hang up as the blow dryer shuts off. It’s not like Lexi’s human ears could’ve heard me anyway, but I’m not taking chances. Not with whatever secrets she’s keeping.

A moment later, Lexi’s door opens. The click of the latch is a little off thanks to my rushed repair job earlier, but it’s better than it was before.

I slide my phone into my pocket as she emerges from the hall. My heart skips a beat and my cock twitches at the sight of her.

The red dress she’s chosen has a plunging neckline that fuels my imagination and makes it hard to look her in the eye. The softness of the fabric as it clings to her skin makes me want to run my hands over it—over her. She’s piled her white-blond hair high on her head, leaving her throat bare, and my wolf stirs, telling me to mark her and be done with it.

“You look amazing,” I rasp.

She brightens at my compliment, but there are nerves dancing in her gaze. “Is it okay?” she asks, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles.

I take her hand and kiss it. She’s wearing the ring I gave her, and it pleases me more than I let on that, at least for tonight, everyone will see that she’s mine. “It’s fucking perfect.”

We take the car and driver, mostly so I can stare at Lexi unhindered, but also because the added security is necessary for tonight’s adventure. On the way over, I try to prepare her for the circus that awaits us, though I’m pretty sure words can’t convey the overwhelm of being the focus of hungry paparazzi in this city.

“They’re going to ask you questions,” I tell her, angling my body so that we face each other on the bench seat.

“Should I answer?” she asks.

“If you want to. Just know that anything you say will be printed and blogged and blasted into the ether for eternal posterity.” I catch myself staring, distracted by how gorgeous she looks tonight.

Her smile is rueful though a little forced. “In other words, you father and my grandfather will hear about it.”

I blink, trying to refocus. “Exactly.”

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