Chapter 0731

"And why are they hiring you to come after my family?"

He shrugged. "Something about blood."

"That's it?" I growled, growing frustrated by his blase nature. "Just... blood?"

"Yup."

"Ronan." I stood again and crossed over to him, stooping so that our faces were almost aligned. "If you're withholding information from me..."

"Relax, Enzo. I'm seriously telling you everything. All I do is take payment, and besides, I'm already putting my neck on the line by saying what I've said so far. So back off."

As Ronan spoke, his upper lip curled back slightly to reveal his white teeth; and so did mine. But the longer I looked at him, the more I realized he was telling the truth. He really didn't know anything else, as frustrating as it was. My wolf sensed it, too.

Finally, I straightened and crossed back over to the door. "Fine," I said. "But if you think of any other details, you had better tell us."

"So you're not letting me go?"

I froze, my shoulders stiffening. Slowly, I turned to glare at him. "What makes you think I'd let you go?"

"I did what you asked," he said. "You can't keep me in this cell forever."

"Oh, yes I can." I narrowed my eyes at him and turned fully to face him now. "And after the shit you've pulled in the past, maybe I'll watch you rot here."

Ronan scoffed. "Fine, then. I'll just have your little girlfriend set me loose; you know she's got a soft spot for me. Hell, I think she still wants me."

I knew that he was trying to rile me up. The logical part of my brain was well aware of that. But the look in his beady little eyes, the smirk on his face...

It looked all too much like Mila's face when she had thought she had won. Just like moments after I had killed the bear shifter and she had come down from her horrific throne to disrobe in front of me.

Without a word, I rushed forward and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, yanking him to his feet with ease. Mila's-no, Ronan's-smirk merely grew, stretching across his face like a mask.

"There's the violent Enzo I know so well," he cooed. "Not much has changed since our hockey days together, huh? You're just like you were back then, losing your cool over the slightest provocation. Like an animal."

"I'll kill you," I hissed. "I'll kill you for what you did to Nina, you little snake."

"Go ahead. My boss will probably kill me anyway; after he kills you, of course."

My blood simmered beneath my skin at his words. Drawing in a sharp breath through my teeth, I quickly pulled my fist back, curling my fingers up into a tight ball. I wasn't an animal. No, I wasn't an animal, not even when I was in Mila's arena.

But, oh, how I relished the thought of feeling this creep's cartilage crunch under my fist. Oh, how I wanted nothing more than to watch the light leave his eyes.... Mila's eyes... No. Wait.noveldrama

"Enzo!"

Nina's voice suddenly cried out from behind me, and I blinked in confusion as the face in front of me morphed and changed; not Mila, but Ronan. Two villains, but one much smaller than the other. God, where was I? Was that the roar of the profane crowd that I thought I heard? No, I was in the tunnels. I was in Mountainview.

And Nina...

Ronan's grin grew as I released my iron grip on his shirt. "Go on," he whispered. "Put your leash back on, dog.'

15

I felt another wave of rage overcome me at his words. But this time, before I could lash out again, I felt a cool hand on my arm. I turned to see Nina's brown eyes blinking up at me, confused and terrified and worried all at once. "Enzo," she whispered. "This isn't you."