6. Grey

6

GREY

D ressed in a shirt and tie, I pace in front of the windows of my apartment, my thoughts consumed by the woman in the back bedroom—and the secrets she's keeping. Since the moment I confronted her at Dutch's earlier, her anxiety's been through the roof. It's more than her pounding pulse and jumpy movements. Her fear permeates the air between us. My sensory awareness of her emotions is more proof.

She's my mate.

And she's lying to my face.

It's not just her either. Thanks to my growing alpha power, my wolf tasted the lie in his words the moment Ramsey spoke today.

The question is what the fuck to do about it.

From the direction of Lexi's bedroom, a blow dryer begins running. We still have plenty of time before our dinner reservation, so I dial Dutch.

He picks up quickly, but the music in the background nearly drowns him out.

"Yo," I barely hear him say. "Hang on." A second later, the music shuts off. "What's up?"

"They're hiding something about last night."

"Yeah," he says on a heavy sigh. "I had the same feeling."

"Fuck."

Lexi's secrecy at least makes sense. She doesn't know me. Hasn't yet learned to fully trust me. But Ramsey? He's supposed to be one of few I can always count on. Clearly, he doesn't feel the same about me. Not anymore. Maybe Lexi's not the only one whose trust I need to earn.

"You want me to talk to him?" Dutch asks.

"Nothing that direct," I say.

"Tail?"

I hesitate, considering the idea. If Ramsey lied because he doesn't trust me, it won't help for him to discover one of us is following him. But I need to be sure there isn't something more to it. "Put Crow on it. He's the most discreet."

"You could just compel Ram to tell you the truth," he says.

I scowl. "I'm not strong enough. Not yet."

"Damn. What about her?"

I look down the hall toward Lexi's closed bedroom door. Even with the mate bond coming to life, I can't read her feelings for me thanks to the distance she keeps between us. It grates on me. Makes me doubt myself in a way I never have before. And I can't afford doubt—not now. Not when we're going to war. Not when I could so easily lose her.

The fact that she didn't tell me what happened last night speaks volumes about her faith in me right now.

"I need her to trust me—on her own terms," I say finally.

"I don't disagree, but time is of the essence here."

"I know."

He pauses then says, "You could just claim her. Even without her wolf, you'd read the truth from her."

"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."

"Which means I should answer some of them—strategically, of course."

"That might be smart," I agree, proud of her for catching on to this fucked-up game so quickly.

"We want them to like me," she says, but it comes out like a question, and I sense her nerves returning.

I take her hand again, turning it over and smoothing her palm with my thumb. "We want them to like us ," I correct. "They're going to love you , no question."

She looks reassured for a moment, but then the car pulls to a stop in front of the venue and the cameras begin flashing. Even through the tinted glass of the back window, it annoys me. Growing up on display wasn't easy, but having to put the woman I love through it is so much worse. The fact that it's necessary only makes me angry at myself.

Lexi looks at them with trepidation but doesn't flinch. "I guess that's our cue."

I climb out of the car first, reaching back for Lexi. Her grip is firm as I lead her through the small crowd already waiting for us outside the restaurant. Security is doubled tonight, and my father's men press in close, creating a protective wall. Reporters snap pictures at an alarming speed as I push past as gently as I can. They also toss questions at us rapid-fire.

"What designer are you wearing?"

"What do you think of Indigo Hills?"

"Will you live in the penthouse or at Franco's once you're married?"

Most of them are easy to ignore.

"Who has a worse temper—Vincenzo or you?"

That one is aimed at me, but I don't acknowledge it.

"What does Vincenzo think of your work history?"

That one's clearly for Lexi, but she doesn't respond. I bite back the urge to shove the asshole who said it. This game relies on both of us keeping our cool.

Don't be reckless.

"Have you decided on a location for the ceremony yet?"

"What does Franco say about your engagement?"

"Are you and your grandfather close?"

Lexi pauses at that last one. She meets my eyes, and a slow but sure smile spreads across her gorgeous face. She turns to the journalist who asked her the question and gushes, "My grandfather and I are overjoyed at being reunited. We're getting to know one another slowly, between wedding planning, of course. I'm just so thrilled to have gained two new families." She puts her other hand on my arm and squeezes affectionately.

The crowd gives a collective "aww," and just like that, she's won them over.

"And what about you, Jericho?" the journalist asks. "You were gone for so long. How is it being back home after all this time?"

He's used my real name, reminding me of who I was before I left. It grates on me, but I hold my composure.

The crowd is silent, waiting.

"I've missed it," I tell them, surprised to realize I mean it. I love this city. Aside from my asshole father and that prick Franco, anyway. Maybe that's what prompts me to keep going. "Indigo Hills will always be home, but now I get to share it with someone who means the world to me. We're looking forward to putting roots down here. Together."

Lexi's smile is sweet as she looks back at me. The crowd sighs and snaps more photos. Before they can ask anything else, I wrap my arm around Lexi's waist and whisk her inside.

The ma?tre d' escorts us to our table without so much as asking my name. I'm used to it, the recognition, but I don't miss the way Lexi's brows lift.

At the table, a woman rises to greet us. And even though she's a welcome sight, I stiffen for a moment at her unexpected presence. Lexi does the same, though her polite expression never wavers.

"Surprise," my mother says with a genuine smile. She stands to greet us, sparkling in a silver gown, and gestures to the two empty chairs across from her. "I'm sorry. I hope I'm not intruding," she adds. "If I am, please tell me to go."

"Of course not," I say, glad for the distraction. Not just for me but for Lexi too.

Every patron in the place is watching us, and reporters are already standing at the window and snapping pictures through the tempered glass. It's mildly annoying, but nothing I can't block out for the duration. Lexi isn't so practiced, and her gaze is drawn that way over and over again.

"We're happy to see you, Mom," I lean in to press a kiss to her cheek.

"Are you sure?" My mother turns to Lexi. "Vincenzo mentioned you'd be here, so I decided to surprise you. But if you'd rather be alone, I can go."

"No, please, Mrs. Diavolo," Lexi says, gesturing to the chair my mother rose from. "Join us. We did promise you a dinner."

"Yes, you did," Mom agrees warmly. "And call me Serena."

We all take our seats. I tuck in close beside Lexi, fighting the urge to run my hand over her thigh beneath the table.

"I ordered us some wine," Mom says as the waiter appears and pours for us. "I figured you both might need it after running that gauntlet."

"I'm grateful." Lexi picks up her wine glass. "It was quite an entrance."

"You looked like you handled it well," Mom tells her.

Lexi's cheeks flush a little at the compliment. "Thanks. I tried to give them enough information to take the edge off."

Mom laughs. "A pro already."

"I don't know how you guys live like this all the time," Lexi says, her gaze darting toward the window again.

"You get used to it," Mom says, but I know better. She hates it as much as Lexi does, which is why she spends most of her time at the lake house or the spa, where the iron gate keeps the vultures away. Not to mention my father.

"I hope not," Lexi says. "I think that might mean I don't value my privacy as much as their flattery."

My mother gives Lexi an appreciative look. Then, to me, she says, "This one has her head on straight."

"She does," I agree. "I hate to ruin that about her."

"Nonsense. She has you to help her navigate. She'll be fine."

Her words are meant to reassure me, but they also make me feel guilty. Mom should have someone too. But my father's never been a source of protection or support. She's gotten through this life all by herself.

"Now, what fun things have you been able to do so far?" Mom asks.

"Um." Lexi hesitates.

"We haven't exactly had time for fun, Mom."

"That's unacceptable," my mother says. "You could at least show her that this city has some redeeming qualities." She launches into a list of places Lexi should visit.

I remain silent, watching, listening, reading between the lines of Lexi's body language, and tuning into the conversations happening around us. I'm not overly worried about an ambush from Franco, but Dom's behavior last night—grabbing her off the street, if their story is to be believed—means I can't afford to let my guard down anywhere. As instructed, my security team is seated at the bar to keep an eye, but I know better than to rely entirely on their protection.

If I'm going to earn loyalty and build a pack, it'd be smart to start with the men hired to protect us. But I'll need to be careful. Not show my hand unless I'm sure they won't go running to my father.

After dinner, Mom turns the conversation to Lexi's life. "And what hobbies were you interested in?" she asks. "Theater? Sports? Grey played lacrosse in high school, which didn't leave much time for anything else."

Lexi hesitates. "Um, no theater for me."

"Sports then?"

Lexi's gaze shifts away. "No."

"Academics? Scholastic clubs? Debate?"

She smiles, but it's more of a grimace. "Nope."

My mother's forehead crinkles in confusion. "Did your adopted parents not encourage you to try things?"

"I grew up in foster care. Group homes, mostly. There wasn't much chance for extracurriculars."

Mom's expression fills with sympathy. "Oh, I didn't realize. I'm sorry. That must've been hard."

"It's not your fault." Lexi's knee bounces under the table.

Mom reaches over and pats Lexi's hand. "Maybe not, but just in case those responsible haven't apologized, someone needs to."

"Thanks." Lexi flashes a tight smile.

I squeeze her thigh. She jumps, but when I move to take my hand away, she grabs it, holding it in place. My entire body recalibrates toward her touch.

"I mean it, Lexi," Mom goes on. "Your mother was a beautiful soul. What happened to her—to you all—is a tragedy I deeply regret."

Lexi's hand tightens on mine. "You knew my mother?"

Both of us look at my mother with renewed intensity.

Mom's smile softens, and her gaze draws inward to some memory. "Cari and I were both outsiders who found ourselves suddenly on the inside. Trust was difficult, but we shared a sense of camaraderie over that, at least."

"What was she like?" Lexi says, clearly hanging on every word.

"A revolutionary," my mother declares with a wistful smile. "She wanted to change things. To really make a difference for the people in this city." Her smile fades, and a shadow overtakes her features. "When she and Monte left, everyone was so shocked by it, but I wasn't."

"Did she tell you where they were going?"

"No. But I think Cari realized at a certain point that the only thing changing was her. This world sucks you in and spits you out. She saw the inevitability of that, I think, and did the only thing she could."

"She saved herself," Lexi murmurs.

Mom reaches across the table and squeezes Lexi's hand. "No, darling. She saved you."

Lexi is quiet for the rest of dinner.

Afterward, Mom walks us out, and while she waits for her driver to pull around, she hugs Lexi in front of the paparazzi. Her smile is brilliant and affectionate as she cups Lexi's cheeks in her hands.

"I am so sorry," she whispers. "For all of it. Be strong. And come to me if you ever need anything."

"I will," Lexi tells her.

When it's my turn, I hug my mother and kiss her cheek. "Thank you."

Her response is a single word that's more like a plea. If I wasn't sure before whether my mother suspects my true intentions, her message makes it clear. And I feel the desperation and conviction of it all the way into my bones. "Win."