Page 23 of Broken Wolf Heart (Mafia Pack #3)

Mia turns away, sliding her phone out and speaking in a low, clipped tone. Grey. Fuck. I don’t have much time before the cavalry shows up.

Razor hesitates, wincing as he says, “If he looks closely at me, he’ll know I’m not his pack anymore. Same with Mia.”

“Stay in the hall. Don’t let him see you when he comes in. Be ready if I call for you, but do not come in unless I say.”

Razor’s jaw tightens, indicating he’s clearly unhappy, but he nods sharply. “Fine.”

Mia returns just in time to say, “The fuck I am. I’m staying in here with you.”

“Mia, this is an order—from your high alpha,” I tell her. “Round up the closest guards, and send two of them in here with me.”

She glares at me, and I wonder if she’s going to refuse. “I’ll send six. And I’ll be in the hall with Razor. If you so much as breathe heavy, I’m coming in.”

I nod. “Fine.”

She disappears.

Andy rises, gathering her papers.

“Will you stay?” I ask her .

“Of course.” She remains standing near the window, her expression stony and blank.

A second later, exactly as Mia warned, six guards file into the room and fan out behind me, feet planted, hands clasped. They don’t say a word, but I can’t deny their presence is comforting.

I turn to face the door again and wait.

The silence amplifies my heartbeat, pounding loud and chaotic in my ears. My palms sweat, and my breath feels too shallow. I force myself to straighten my spine, lifting my chin defiantly.

The door opens slowly, deliberately, like he’s savoring my anxiety.

Vincenzo Diavolo steps inside, shutting it carefully behind him.

He’s impeccably dressed, polished in every way that’s designed to intimidate.

He glances over the other occupants. Andy.

The guards. Then me. The faint smile curving his lips sends chills down my spine.

“Hello, Lexi,” he drawls smoothly, eyes cold and calculating.

I stand firm, meeting his gaze without wavering. “You can call me Alpha.”

His smile tightens slightly, eyes narrowing. For a heartbeat, the air thickens, charged and dangerous.

“You look well,” he says, ignoring my title. “Not quite as bloody as the last time I saw you.”

“What do you want?” My voice is cold, hard, even as my pulse hammers in my throat. Every nerve is on high alert, waiting for the trap he’s surely about to spring.

“Just what I was promised,” he says calmly, hands clasped in front of him. “You do remember our deal, don’t you?”

My fingers curl into fists beneath the desk. “I remember.”

He steps closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Good. Then you also recall the terms. I’ll take your title now. And the blood sample. ”

My heart kicks painfully in my chest. My wolf snarls in my mind, protective and fierce. “I changed my mind.”

A brief flash of rage crosses his expression before he masks it with practiced ease. “Careful, Lexi. Changing your mind could have dire consequences.”

I meet his gaze, holding steady despite the ice sliding down my spine. “Threatening me won’t change my decision.”

He smiles slowly, darkly amused. “You forget your place. You’re not ready for this role. I can help you—protect you from your own inexperience. From the rejection of your pack.”

“I don’t need your help,” I snap sharply, anger lending me strength. “And I won’t be handing anything over.”

His eyes darken dangerously, a predator’s stare that pierces straight through me. “You’re playing a dangerous game. Do you really think Grey will protect you from the consequences?”

My chest aches fiercely at the mention of Grey’s name. “I’m not involving my husband .”

He arches an eyebrow skeptically. “We both know that’s a lie. Grey is involved, whether you want him to be or not. And if you refuse to honor our agreement, he’ll pay the price first.”

“Any threat against Grey is a threat against me.”

He flicks a glance at the guards behind me but doesn’t look nearly as worried as I’d hoped. “Your pack can’t be happy about you being married to a member of another pack. I doubt they’d fight to protect him.”

Fear stabs deep, sharp, and painful. My mind races with images of Grey—injured, captured, killed. My wolf strains to act, to defend and protect. “Touch Grey, and I’ll rip you apart myself.”

He chuckles softly, eyes glittering with cruel amusement. “Such loyalty. Such foolishness.”

My wolf snarls, pushing to the surface, urging violence. I fist my hands, fighting for control. If I shift now, I’ll likely kill him where he stands. But there’s no telling who else I’ll go after once my wolf takes me over. “You underestimate me.”

“And you underestimate the enemy you’ve just made,” Vincenzo murmurs coldly. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I don’t think so,” I snap back, heart racing, adrenaline flooding my veins.

“Very well.” Vincenzo inclines his head mockingly. “Have it your way. But when the walls come crashing down, remember this conversation. Remember your choice.”

He turns smoothly, heading for the door. Pausing, he glances back, eyes chillingly calm. “Tell Grey we’ll see each other very soon.”

The door shuts behind him with a quiet finality, leaving me standing in trembling silence. I let out a shaky breath, my legs finally giving out as I sink back into the chair, heart thundering.

I know I’ve just declared war by refusing his demands.

Vincenzo will retaliate. He’ll target Grey, Mia, Dutch, Crow, Razor—all of them just to hurt me and make me give in. I squeeze my eyes shut against the panic clawing at my throat. But beneath the fear, there’s determination.

I won’t let him hurt the people I love.

If I have to lose myself to my wolf forever, it will be worth it.