The deal

Dante's POV:

 Rafe's voice is smooth as fucking silk, but the ice in his eyes? That's the real threat. "You understand what that means, don't you, Denzel?" He adjusts his suit like he's got all the time in the world. Bastard could step out of a goddamn magazine. But the way he looks at people? Like he's already decided how they'll die? That's what makes him dangerous.

 I told him once l'd carve up that pretty face of his-give him some character. He declined.

 His loss.

 Meanwhile, I'm painted in Denzel's blood, and Nikolai's knuckles are raw and split from rearranging our host's face. I crunch down on the guy's stolen crisps, grinning as Niko delivers another bone-crunching hit. They don't call him Mad Dog for nothing. Fast, brutal, and fucking relentless. I'd know-l've sparred with him. Good fucking times, even if I did leave with a few extra cracks in my ribs.

 Blinking, I drag my gaze back to Denzel. His face is a mess-swollen eye, busted lip, bruises blooming like ugly flowers. And that's just the shit you can see. Under his shirt?

 Blisters from where Rafe let me play with fire.

 Kael's leaning against the wall, rolling his dice between his fingers, his stare locked on Denzel like a predator waiting for the kill. He's the one who brought this fucker to our attention, but Denzel? He only looks at Rafe.

 Good. Let him think the pretty boy's the one calling the shots. That's how we like it Rafe as the respectable face of our legitimate fucking enterprise.

 I snort. Legitimate. Sure. We've got a few fronts, but I don't deal with that shit. Got banned after I gouged out some idiot's eye for calling me scum.

 "Denzel, pay attention. I don't like to repeat myself." Rafe's voice is a whip-crack, and Nikolai's on him in a second, yanking his head back by the hair, a blade kissing his throat.

 The man's sweating, shaking, whimpering wonder if Rafe will let me kill him.

 It's been two days since I got to spill blood.

 My wolf's clawing under my skin, restless,

 hungry.

 "Yes, yes, I understand-take her!" Denzel screams.

 Pathetic. Selling his own daughter to cover his debt. Guess when the alternative is paying in flesh, morals go out the window.

 This city's ours. He knew he couldn't run. It's written in the defeat in his eyes. I wonder if the girl's prettier than him. Doesn't matter-she's ours now. We don't usually deal in live flesh, but debts don't pay themselves.

 Rafe smirks, all polished charm. I roll my eyes and step out of the shadows. That's when Denzel really starts to cry. "I have only one daughter please, just take her!"

 He knows what I am.

 Rafe's the face. Nikolai's the muscle. Kael's the gambler.

 Me?

 I'm the fucking executioner.

 "Have her!" he wails, thrashing. Nikolai's grip tightens, disgust flashing across his face.

 Me? | laugh.

 Leaning down, I let him see the madness in my eyes. My fingers twitch for my lighter, imagining his office in flames, his screams like music. Fuck, I can taste the fear. My cock throbs at the thought.

 "Tell me," I purr, "when I burn her, will you give a shit?"

 Nikolai grins, teeth gleaming. "Wonder if she bleeds as pretty as she screams".

 "Enough," Rafe snaps. I back off, but the hunger doesn't fade. "Where is she?"

 "Sh-she works at a bar-Bencher" Denzel sobs.

 I wonder if she'll cry. It's sweeter when they do. I'm palming my cock through my jeans before Kael's glare makes me stop. I wink.

 "Denzel," Kael says, voice flat, "if she's not enough, we'll be back Bet on it."

 He knows.

 I want blood.

 "Will you kill her?" Denzel whimpers.

 Rafe arches a brow. "Do you care? You just sold her."

 "I'm a shit father, but she doesn't deserve you monsters," the man snarls.

 "Hear that, Rafe?" I cackle. "We're

 monsters" I slap my thigh, howling. "Told you that suit don't fool nobody."

 Rafe ignores me, as usual. "We'll do whatever we want to her.Fuck her. Break her.

 Kill her. Just wanted you to know."

 He stands, buttoning his suit, slicking back his hair. The Vitale family's Don is a fucking joke. No wonder they're crumbling.

 "We'll be in touch." He turns to leave.

 Kael pockets his dice. "Don't be a stranger at the tables."

 Nikolai taps Denzel's cheek with the blade, mock-friendly. Me? I get in close, letting him see the face of the man who'll ruin his daughter. "I'll make her scream. Maybe send you a recording."

 "Dante"

 Rafe's at the door.

 I lean in, lips brushing Denzel's ear. "I will let you know if she comes before or after I slit her throat." Then I bite down hard.

 His scream is fucking delicious.I spit the chunk of ear onto his chest, blood dripping down my chin as I whistle my way out.

 "You're a crazy bastard,"

 Nikolai mutters.

 "Takes one to know one," I shoot back.

 "Now let's go get our new plaything."

 Denzel should've known better. The whole city should.

 Fuck with wolves?

 You get bitten.

 And that poor little girl?

 She's got no idea what's coming.