Page 44 of Broken Wolf Heart (Mafia Pack #3)

GREY

A ltobello’s is bustling by the time we arrive.

Lexi was right; it makes the perfect staging area for what we have planned, considering my father’s lab location is the old attorney’s office across the street.

It’s a fucked-up message my father sent by choosing this location.

The high-rise building, and the entire block it sits on, has been considered neutral territory for my entire life.

It’s like he wants us to know nothing is off limits anymore.

It’s the same reason we made the call to the city police chief on the way over, filling him in on our plans.

And why we asked him to set up a five-block perimeter, evacuating everyone inside it so there won’t be collateral damage in the form of innocent lives.

Luckily, Fletcher is in favor of a regime change, so he agreed to help us.

I try to remember the last time Indigo Hills Police worked together with any one of the city’s alphas, but I can’t.

They’ve always remained outside of our jurisdiction and let us operate outside of theirs.

It's a new day for sure.

By the time we arrive, uniformed officers are already taping off the block and evacuating the businesses nearby.

Police cruisers block off both ends of the street.

News vans are parked along the curb just outside the boundary line.

Reporters are already giving on-camera updates with the information we fed them.

By now, the whole city knows something’s coming.

And that’s the point.

No more secrets. No more shadow plays. If my father’s going to fight us for this city, he can do it in full view of every single one of us.

“There’s no going back now,” Lexi says as we step out of the car onto the busy sidewalk.

“There never was,” I tell her and then take her hand and bring it to my lips for a quick kiss before leading her inside.

Being back inside Altobello’s brings a strange sense of nostalgia. When Franco was alive, I was ready to burn this place to the ground. Almost did once. Now, it’s our war room. I’m not sure if that’s ironic or if it makes total fucking sense.

The restaurant is already full of people getting things set up for us.

Donahue and Camila stand to one side, quietly directing the newer members of the Giovanni pack, organizing teams. They’re not just showing up—they’re leading. And they’re looking at Lexi with a respect that doesn’t need words.

I brace myself for the violent jealousy to hit. But my wolf merely smiles at the knowledge that the strong alpha female beside me is his. And Franco’s ghostly voice doesn’t utter a peep. The ritual changed something inside me. I just hope it means I’m back in control—for good.

I go back to sweeping the room just as Lexi tenses beside me. I sense her awareness of him through our bond before I even see him. Charlie. He stands by the back wall as if he’s just come through the kitchen door. His wrists are bound, and two guards flank him.

“I want in,” he says as we approach him .

“Who gave the order to bring you here?” Lexi asks.

“I did.” Mia steps up beside her dad and shoots me a pleading look. I shift my gaze pointedly to Lexi. Through the bond, I can feel her skepticism. She doesn’t think having him here is a good idea. I don’t disagree.

“He wants to help,” Mia says to Lexi. “I think we should let him.”

“Helping us stop Vincenzo is one thing,” Lexi says. “But if you go in there, you’d likely have to harm the men you once considered brothers. Are you sure you’re up for that?”

Charlie nods, eyes hard. “I helped him build this nightmare, and that’s something I’ll have to live with. But now, I need to help tear it down.” He glances at Mia. “Brothers or not, it’s time I fight for my daughter.”

Lexi hesitates, and I watch the decision play out in her expression even as I feel it through our completed bond. Holy hell, it’s so much stronger than it was before. She looks up at me as if she’s thinking the same thing.

“What do you think?” she asks softly.

We both know everyone can hear us. But it won’t matter once the decision has been made.

“He’s here. Choosing us,” I say. “That has to mean something. Besides, we’re all fighting our family today.”

Lexi nods and looks back at Charlie.

“Can you get to Rocco?” she asks. “Make him stand down?”

“You would show him mercy?” Charlie asks, clearly surprised.

“Of course,” she says. “If we can avoid just one person raising a hand in violence against their own blood, it will be worth it.”

Dutch steps forward. “Lexi, you don’t have to do this. I made my choice.”

“I know,” she tells him. “But we’ll let your dad make his. ”

They share a look, and finally, Dutch nods. “I’ll take Charlie with me. If my father refuses his offer to surrender…I’ll handle it.” He looks at Charlie, daring him to argue.

Charlie nods. “I’d expect nothing less.”

Dutch turns back to Lexi, expression hardening into a stony resolve. “And I’m not leaving that building without Andy.”

“That works for me,” Lexi says.

“I’m coming with you,” Mia says.

Lexi nods. “Okay.”

“Take a team,” I say. “If anyone surrenders, someone from your team escorts them directly here to swear loyalty to their new alpha, or the police take them into custody until they’re banished.”

“Got it.” Dutch and Mia call out for a couple of the others, and they all disappear into the back room together.

Savannah walks up, camera crew in tow. “You sure about this?” the reporter asks. She looks equal parts nervous and thrilled at being so close to the action.

Lexi glances out the window, where the office building across the street is deceivingly quiet considering our obvious mobilizing. “The city deserves to know what’s really happening.”

“Yes, but in real time?” She glances at me. “You know this will bring a crowd.”

“That’s what we want,” I tell her. “Let them pick a side.”

Savannah nods, then tells her crew to set up just outside the barricade. “We’ll go live in ten, just over there.”

The moment she’s gone, I feel the shift behind me in the air. I whirl just in time to see two women enter, the scent of my father’s pack coming off them strong enough to set me on edge.

Alvaro’s wife, Gloria. And Rocco’s wife, Sonesta .

I tap Razor’s shoulder to get his attention, and he stiffens. Crow swears under his breath. Not angry, just worried.

“Mom?” Razor says uncertainly.

Gloria just looks him up and down. “You look like hell.”

“What are you doing here?”

Sonesta lifts her chin. “You’re my son. Where else would I be?”

Razor blinks, clearly caught off guard. “Dad’s…not here.”

“I think I know exactly where your father is.”

Razor tenses.

Crow is frozen beside him, a deer in headlights. It might be funny if it weren’t so fucked up—seeing Crow thrown off by someone so harmless.

Gloria flicks him a glance. “I’m guessing you had your hand in that.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Crow’s answer is instant and unapologetic.

Gloria is silent for a long moment, her mouth set in a hard line. She turns back to Razor. Then she steps forward and pulls him into a hug.

“Good,” she whispers. She pulls back and pats his cheek. “I expect you for dinner when this is over.”

“O-okay,” Razor manages.

She turns to Crow and softens. “Both of you.”

Crow blinks. Then nods. “Yes, ma’am.”

The moment is weirdly domestic and comforting—exactly what I didn’t know we needed.

“And my husband?” Sonesta asks quietly. “Has anyone heard from Rocco?”

Razor and Crow look to me with matching “it’s your turn now” expressions.

“Our intel says he’s inside the lab,” I tell her.

She just juts her chin. “He’s the enemy now.”

It’s not a question, but I understand what she’s asking me .

“Dutch and Charlie plan to find him and try to convince him not to fight us,” I tell her. “But I can’t make any promises.”

She inhales shakily but nods. It’s not exactly the first time these women have seen their husbands go off to battle. It is the first time their sons have been on the opposite side of that battle, though.

“All right, then,” she says. “The rest is on him.”

“Would you both like to wait in the back office?” Lexi asks. “There’s a couch and a screen where you can watch Savannah’s broadcast. And we can have someone bring you some tea or coffee.”

“You got any vodka?” Gloria asks, eyeing the bar that’s clearly fully stocked.

“I’ll send a bottle,” Lexi says, already directing them to the back room where I know for a fact Franco used to host poker nights and strippers. So weird doing this here.

“You’re an angel,” Sonesta tells her, squeezing her hand before they walk away.

When they’re gone, Razor lifts a brow. “You’re an angel? Crow’s invited to dinner? Is this the apocalypse?”

“Guess we shoulda’ kicked our old man’s ass years ago,” Crow tells him. He offers Razor the ghost of a smile.

Razor grins. “I better go find that bottle of vodka, or we’ll ruin everything.”

He stalks off toward the bar, and I turn to Lexi.

“You ready?” I ask.

“I’m ready to put this part behind us,” she says.

“You and me both, princess. Come on.”

I take her hand, and we make our way to the center of things. The room quiets instinctively. But I wait for Lexi to speak first. She stands taller than I’ve ever seen her, power radiating off her in waves. My wolf has never been prouder. The bond never more potent.

“You all know why we’re here,” Lexi says. “Vincenzo has declared war on anyone who does not pledge their loyalty to him. And now he’s kidnapped an innocent woman.

“He’s injecting himself with an illegal serum that he will use to cause more violence and bloodshed. And he will not rest until he’s made every single person in this city bow to him. He doesn’t want to be an alpha. He wants to be a king. A dictator. Today, we fight for our freedom.”

The soldiers in the room roar a cheer.

“When Grey and I give the order, we go in together,” Lexi says. “Our goal is to rescue the captives, apprehend Dr. Severin, and take down Vincenzo before the serum turns him into something worse than he already is.”

A murmur of agreement rolls through the room.

“Anyone who asks for mercy gets it,” I add. “No senseless killing. We’re not here to prove we’re stronger. Strength comes from unity. From a pack that doesn’t fracture ever again. We’re here to prove we’re better than the monsters who came before us.”

Elio—a recent pack addition who used to be one of my drivers when he followed my father—steps forward from the back. “Why show him mercy?” he asks. “He wouldn’t do the same for you.”

“I know,” I say. “That’s exactly why we have to.”

Lexi nods, and there’s fire in her eyes. “This is our city. And we’re not fighting for only ourselves but for the ones who come after us. Let’s show Vincenzo and his pack what it means to truly protect each other. To truly be a unified pack.”

“What do you mean by unified pack?” Elio asks. “You’re both alphas of your own packs, aren’t you?”

I can’t help but think of Mac and Levi. Or Kai and Ash—even though I’ve never met them. I can’t help feeling a bit like this moment is wrapped in destiny.

“Lexi and I are both alphas, but we’re also bonded mates,” I tell him .

“A bond made stronger when we rule as equals,” Lexi adds.

The group gasps.

Halfway out the door, Savannah whispers something to her cameraman, and he steps back into the room, camera aimed at us. I have a feeling everyone watching from home is hanging on our words—just like everyone in this room now is.

“Two alphas ruling together?” Donahue asks. “You’d give up your title so easily?”

“Our pack is stronger this way,” Lexi tells them. “And I’m not giving up anything. We’re gaining more strength, more equality?—”

“A pack that’s rooted in family,” says another voice.

My mother. She comes forward and stands on the other side of Lexi. She smiles at my mate, warmth and acceptance radiating.

Emotion clogs my throat.

From the back, a new voice cuts in. “I’ll fight for a unified pack.”

The crowd parts, and someone approaches.

Claire.

The girl we rescued from Trucker.

She’s flanked by two other girls, both of whom I recognize as rescues Mia helped after either my father or Franco tried to hurt and use them.

Claire smiles gratefully at me. “You and your friends saved me. I owe you everything for what you did for me that night. And I’m not going to hide while you do all the saving again.”

“Claire, you don’t have to fight,” I say gently.

“I do,” she insists. “Because I want to be part of the world you’re building. The one where girls like us aren’t prey.”

I glance at Lexi. Her eyes are glassy.

“Then you’re with us,” Lexi says, her voice soft but sure.

I turn and look around the room. All of them. Not just my pack but my family. No more drawn lines. No more feuding amongst ourselves. Just all of us in this together.

Whatever happens next, it was all worth it.

Uncaring that the entire room—and city—is watching, I pull Lexi into my arms.

She smiles up at me, fierce and glowing.

And I kiss her.

It’s not slow. It’s not tender.

It’s a promise.

Then I turn back to the room and raise my voice.

“Let’s go take our city back.”

A roar rises like thunder.

The doors open.

Wolves shift all around us.

And I go hunt for my father one last time.