Page 43 of Deadly Wolf Bite

“Come on,” I say, propelling us to the elevator before I change my mind.

“So, what’s the meeting about?” she asks as we ride the elevator downstairs. I bypass the garage and instead take us to the lobby’s main exit, where Elio, one of the men assigned to my security detail, has our car waiting.

It’s best to keep up the expected pretenses, which include allowing myself to be driven to these things.

“Grey?” Lexi asks as we cross the lobby.

“Hmm?”

“Is everything okay?”

“These meetings aren’t my favorite,” I say, and she nods like she gets it.

She doesn’t.

Outside, the morning sun is bright and hot, promising to bake the city before the day is done. Lexi looks up at it, angling her face as if to soak it in before she ducks into the car ahead of me. With a nod at Elio, I slide into the cool interior behind her.

I don’t bother to check behind us for Cruz and Darius since I already know they’ll follow us over.

“What do I need to know about this meeting?” Lexi asks.

“It’s a full pack meeting,” I start.

“Okay. I’ve met them all before,” she says, “and your dad’s currently happy with us so that’s a good start. What else?”

“The meeting includes the entire Indigo Hills mafia pack leadership,” I explain. “It won’t just be my father and our generals.”

“Franco will be there,” she says, eyes widening as understanding dawns.

“And his generals,” I add.

Her bravado slips and her cheeks pale. “Dom.”

I nod. “And a couple others you haven’t met yet.”

“Do I have to be there?” she asks nervously.

“My father wants you there, but technically, the answer is no,” I tell her. “In fact, there might be a few complaints that I’ve brought you, considering we’re not married yet and you haven’t been officially recognized as Franco’s heir.” My gaze flicks to the ring she’s wearing.

She twists it nervously, though I don’t think she realizes she’s doing it. “Then why did you?”

“Well, my father suggested it.”

“But?” she prompts.

“But the truth is that I brought you because I can protect you better if you’re with me.”

She doesn’t protest my reasoning. Nor does she point out how caged that must make her feel. I don’t add that she deserves to see how things work in my world. To see what she’s gotten herself into. Or that I’m double checking that she meant what she said about wanting to stay in this city with me.

Maybe that’s why I haven’t told her about the mate thing yet. Maybe I’m waiting to see if she changes her mind about the life I’m asking her to live with me.

Fuck, maybe I’m the one with trust issues here.

“Will Dutch and the others be there?” she asks.

“Mia and Ramsey will. Their dads have begun training them for their future positions.”

Her brow creases. “The others aren’t being trained?”

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