Read Online Return of the Real Italian Alphas by Bonnie Burrows - Free Book Online Page B

agreement, and then they all joined together to continue forward in the gloom. Gabriel took Betsy’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze as they went.
    “If this doesn’t go the way we planned, I want you to know I love you very much, ma bella,” he told her.
    “I love you too,” she told him with a smile. “Always and forever.”
    “How very sweet,” scoffed Lucretia from somewhere behind them. They turned to see her leaning casually against the cave wall, watching the rather large group pass her by. When they looked ready to pounce, she straightened up and walked casually in their direction. “Now that’s not very sporting, so many of you against one lone wolf. Don’t bother. As you may have guessed, I came here to talk.”
    “What are you doing, Lu?” Rico demanded as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared.
    “I’m just being myself, I suppose you’d say,” she practically purred as she stepped past him, running a finger down his spine along the way. “Since this is what was so important to you I thought maybe I’d turn a blind eye to it—at least for now. You see, my Alphas and I had important business, so we weren’t down here when this rather large army passed by. Now, what do I get for being such a good girl?”
    “What do you want?” Rico asked.
    “A piece of the power, of course,” she said.
    “You can have it,” Gabriel said. “I’m just here to get my family back and be able to go home afterwards. I could care less about your precious power.”
    “Now Gabriel, don’t be so hasty,” Rico said. “I don’t think being in charge of everything would be such a bad gig. You might grow to like it.”
    “Rico, my friend, if you think so then perhaps you should take the job yourself,” Gabriel suggested.
    Lucretia’s eyes rounded, just for a moment, and then a satisfied smirk settled across her features. “You know, that may be the best news I’ve heard all day. What a wonderful idea you’ve come up with, Gabriel. You should be commended.”
    “Boss? You’re absolutely sure?”
    “Yeah, boss, I am,” said Gabriel with a grin. “So I take it that means there’s nobody between here and Lupo’s door?”
    “Oh, I didn’t say that,” she replied. “I have a lot of clout around here, but it doesn’t extend quite that far. You’ll still have need of those bullets. Fascinated to hear more about them, by the way.”
    “Perhaps another time?” Rico suggested as his army began to fidget.
    “Oh, yes, very sorry,” she said. “Wouldn’t want to keep you from taking care of business. Most pressing matter, to be sure.”
    “Extremely pressing,” Gabriel said sternly.
    “See you later, then,” she answered, her glaze flicking from Gabriel to Rico and back again. “Good luck.”

CHAPTER NINE
    Lucretia hadn’t been kidding when she said there would be Alphas waiting between them and the door. Probably about a hundred of them. Gabriel suspected these particular Alphas may have been created recently, for they were not yet aware of the moon’s pull on them that would allow the most skillful werewolf the ability to turn.
    Gabriel and Rico grinned at each other and turned at precisely the same time. Gaal-det transformed from his disguise back into a full-blown demon and the apostate knights also transformed. They each had a curious glow about them that hinted at a greater magic than the one currently known by their new companions.
    Gordral paused a moment and whispered The Lord’s Prayer in Italian. Smirking at this, he asked, “I thought you were excommunicated from the Church.”
    “Oh no, my son, quite the contrary,” he said. “The task which I was charged with is even more important than the one given to the Pope. I was charged by God himself to protect His children from evil in any way I can.”
    “And yet once you thought that werewolves were evil and then you became one yourself?” he asked. “Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?”
    “Not at all,” he said.