22. Grey

22

GREY

A t the bar, Ramsey slams down the last of a row of empty shot glasses and howls loudly. The generals crowded around him cheer. They egg him on to do another flight of shots, and he motions for Alvaro to pour. The cheers turn to fist bumps and wagers on how long before Ramsey loses the ability to stand.

At this rate, he's not the only one headed horizontal.

We doled out the drug slowly so it wouldn't be obvious and just kept pouring drink after drink. My dad ended up with a few spiked ones because it was impossible to keep them separate once Mia started making them so fast. But I'm not sorry. Not even if it makes him an easy kill in the end.

He deserves everything he gets.

My father catches my eye and nods toward the master bedroom. He pushes aside the dancer he's clinging to. I follow him into the empty room, and he slams the door shut behind me.

"What's up?" I ask warily.

He may not be as drugged as the others, but he's drunk. And that's never a good thing.

"I gave you one fucking job, and you've screwed it up every chance you get."

My hands ball into fists, my temper flaring. "What are you talking about?"

"Have you seen this?" He holds up his phone. On the screen is a picture of Lexi and Dom standing very close together inside the church this morning. I grab the phone and scroll, skimming the article below. It says the couple seemed "familiar to the point of intimate" and speculates the shared moment was "a lovers' quarrel."

I look up at my father, trying to keep my control. "This is a lie. He assaulted her."

"I don't give a fuck!"

I step back as he lurches at me, getting in my face.

"You were supposed to control her," he snarls. "She's been running her mouth to me all night. And now this." He waves his phone.

"She's not?—"

"Anthony was targeted because of that shit you pulled at the restaurant," he growls. "Don't think I've forgotten that."

"Anthony was targeted because of you," I say, temper rushing through me unchecked. "You used Lexi as bait against Franco, and he fired back—literally. He's not going to stop coming for you until he's done the same thing to you as he did to Anthony."

"You have one job," he goes on, ignoring my comments. "One way to repay me for stabbing me in the back: marry that bitch and force her to relinquish her title as alpha heir. And you can't even do that without fucking it up."

"You make it sound so simple," I snap.

"It is simple."

"It's not," I nearly yell.

"Why? Because she's your mate?"

His words slice right through my growing temper. I don't respond, but my silence might as well be an admission of guilt.

"Don't bother trying to deny it," he warns. "You think I can't sense it? I'm your fucking alpha. Don't forget that."

It takes everything in me not to contradict him on the last part. He might be an alpha, but he's not mine anymore.

"Why haven't you bitten her, anyway? That's the part I can't figure out. I mean, I wouldn't want the enemy's spawn for a mate but you seem into her."

"She doesn't know," I say, my wolf straining to react to his insult.

"Yeah, she made that clear earlier."

My eyes narrow at the way he says the words. Like they've shared secrets or something. "You know a bite isn't guaranteed," I say. "I refuse to risk her life that way."

"Her chances are a hell of a lot higher if her mate's the one that turns her."

"I'm not talking about this with you," I say, and he laughs harshly, sending a ripple of unease down my spine.

"Fine, but just know that if you don't do what has to be done, I will."

"Stay away from her," I snarl, but he merely grins. "No matter what you think of her, we have a code about mates. You can't hurt her."

His laughter dies, and his eyes glitter with hatred. "You broke the code when you tried to have me killed. There are no more rules between us except the life debt you owe me. You'll get nothing from me when this is over. Not even your birthright."

I stare at him, stunned, though I'm not sure why. Even though he's never said the words aloud, I'd assumed it. "You're not going to name me your heir."

"You tried to have me killed," he snaps. "In what world would I possibly name you my heir?"

I don't answer.

My thoughts are a mess. It shouldn't matter considering what I plan to do to him in the morning. But I guess knowing my father is such an asshole will never stop sucking.

"That title doesn't mean shit as long as Franco's alive," I point out. "He'll just turn around and name Dom or someone else the heir and then this is all for nothing."

"He won't." The certainty in my father's voice sets me on edge. "Once her wolf is triggered, I'll be unstoppable," he goes on. "You leave Franco to me." More than certainty, there's a smugness to his words that disturbs me.

I don't say anything.

What does Lexi's wolf being triggered have to do with his strength?

"And take care of this bullshit with Albero. I have bigger problems to deal with than a salty second."

"I'll handle Dom," I manage.

He looms over me, curling his lip as if I disgust him. "You fucking better."

My heart thuds wildly as I realize we're actually alone. No security. No protection. I could challenge him. Shift right here and rip his throat out before anyone could come through that door.

I could end this.

For a split second, I picture his blood running crimson over the cream carpet. Coating my face and hands. Seeping into my skin. I imagine carrying the weight of his lost life on my shoulders forever.

My hesitation costs me.

With a grunt, he shoves past me, stalking out.

I return to the suite just as Ramsey falls over, unconscious. The guys pouring the shots all laugh and high five, but no one moves to help him. I nod at Mia, who hurries over to drag him into a chair. Ramsey wakes up, barely, and Mia holds a water bottle to his lips, fussing at him to get his shit together.

Rocco and Alvaro are back on the couch, taking turns snorting lines. They each have a woman pressed against them, whispering things I'm pretty sure I don't want to hear. Charlie's passed out in a chair by the window. There's a blanket tossed over him I can only assume came from Mia.

In the opposite corner, my father sits at the poker table, where Razor and a couple of lieutenants are already in a game.

"Deal me in," my father snaps.

Everyone else folds immediately, and Razor begins collecting and shuffling cards for a new hand.

I scan the room for Lexi, but I don't see her.

"Have you seen Lexi?" I ask the others.

"She went to the bathroom but that was a while ago," Mia says without looking up from the drink she's pouring.

Frowning, I stride to the door and stop in front of the two security guards. "Have you seen my fiancée?"

"Went to get some air," one of them tells me.

Air? What the fuck?

My temper flares, but I shove it down, trying to keep my voice even so no one else notices she's gone. Especially my father. "You let her go alone?" I demand.

The guards exchange a look then the first one shrugs. "No one told us not to."

I bite back an angry reply and shove through the doors. The moment I'm out of their earshot, I call Crow.

He picks up immediately. "She took the elevator down."

My heart pounds. "What floor?"

"Not sure."

"Fuck."

I end the call and race to the elevator, slamming the button down hard. Scenarios run through my mind, each one worse than the last. Whatever made Lexi leave the party without telling me can't be good. I just hope I'm not too late to stop it.