Chapter 16

Before the real schmoozing kicked off at these bashes, George always had his short list of hot prospects trot out for a quick pitch—like a talent show for the big leagues. Folks weren't just there to gawk at the drama; they were sniffing around for their own slice of the pie.

At first, everyone figured Joseph was the lone wolf in the hunt. But bam—enter Brian, crashing the party out of nowhere.

Once the fireworks fizzled, the crowd thinned out, everybody scattering to polish their pitches.

Joseph? His laser focus was glued to me, so he totally blanked on Zoe ghosting into the shadows.

By the time she slinked back, he was too tunnel-visioned to even clock her.

Zoe knew the score—his whole headspace was crammed full of me, no room for side glances.

The way she eyed him? Extra layer of sneer, like she'd just spotted a chump.

When Joseph's turn rolled up for the big reveal, he slouched back in his chair, arms crossed tight, irritation rolling off him like heat waves. But his stare? Nailed to me, unblinking.

Brian must've caught me shivering or something—sweet guy flagged down a blanket and draped it over my lap, then scored me a mug of hot water to sip.

That tender touch? To Joseph, it screamed taunt, like Brian was rubbing salt in the wound.

My ex-mate—still tangled in my head, even if the bond was dust. No way some rival got to play knight.

His assistant caught the drift—Joseph's mind was a million miles from the mission. With a heavy sigh, the guy clutched that USB drive and stepped up to bat.

Every wolf in the room had an angle, cards close.

Zoe? Her eyes gleamed weird, thrilled—paws digging into her thighs like she was holding back a howl.

Click—the file popped open, and then... voices, clear as a bell, dropping bombs.

"Joseph's such a chump—thinks every she-wolf's panting for him, but I'm playing him like a fiddle! Folks swear he loved his bound mate to the moon and back—bull! What a joke. I fed him a few tall tales, and boom—he lets me trash Shawn's remains like yesterday's kill? You should've seen it—pounded that pup's skull till it splintered wide, brains spilling like spilled guts! Gina losing her mind? Still gets me grinning ear to ear!"

"You're cold, girl—but you hate Joseph; why drag Gina and her pup into the mud? And that cat? I slaved over Dolly, got attached, and you off her just to frame Gina? Left me gutted for days."

"Ha, one flea-bag—big whoop, she's worm food! Joseph's my mark, sure, but Gina? I loathe her more. Why'd my sister strike out, and she snags him easy? Joseph's a lowlife cur—turns up his nose at chasers, but flops for that witch. If he hadn't shot her down, sis wouldn't have drowned her sorrows, wouldn't have gotten jumped by those thugs—anyway, it's all on them! Sis didn't drop for nothing; these two? Gonna hurt worse than her. Enough yapping—did you hook up with your contact?"

"Locked in days ago. Smart play—having David's crew eat each other, pinning the stink on Joseph. Oh, and I scrubbed that fake ticker file. What a dope—yanks Gina's pump for your healthy hide! Ha, karma's a howl. Once we prop up the Lawrences and gut the Lewises, we'll rake it in!"

Joseph sat frozen beside me—no, across the room, but his face bloated purple, jaws grinding like he'd chew through steel.

Zoe? Couldn't perch another sec.

She bolted up, yanking the drive from the rig.

Joseph's glare hit her like a predator uncoiling—death on four paws, seconds from the kill.