Page 40 of Yours

“The Benedetti family controls more than you’d think,” Ronan said, setting the glass down again. “They own clubs, restaurants, shipping lines. They’ve got a hand in construction, waste management, unions—you name it, they’ve got a piece of it.”

My brow furrowed, the weight of his words settling over me. “And nobody does anything about it?”

He laughed softly, the sound cold. “Who’s going to stop them, Kiera? The cops? Half of them are on their payroll. The politicians? Same story. The Benedettis have spent decades building their empire, and they’ve buried their claws so deep into this city that pulling them out would tear everything apart.”

I shifted uncomfortably, the gravity of his words sinking in. “But… they’re just one family,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

“They’re one family,” Ronan agreed, his tone quiet but firm. “But they’re ruthless, organized, and willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their power. That’s why they’ve lasted as long as they have.”

A shiver crawled down my spine, and I glanced down at my lap, my fingers twisting the napkin.

“So… what does that mean for me?” I asked softly.

“It means you’re lucky you’ve got me,” Ronan said simply, his gaze steady. “Because I’m the only one in this city who can keep you out of their crosshairs.”

I looked up at him, my chest tightening. “And what makes you so sure you can handle them?”

His lips curved into that maddening smirk again, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Because I’m more powerful than they are,” he said, his voice calm and unshakable.

I swallowed hard, the words settling in my chest like lead.

“Are you afraid yet?” he asked, tilting his head slightly as he studied me.

I hesitated, the fire in my chest flickering under the weight of his gaze.

“No,” I lied, though my voice wavered just enough to betray me.

“Lie to me all you like, love. I know the truth,” he said, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

My heart jumped into my throat, and I hated how easily he could see right through me. It didn’t matter how many walls I threw up, how much fire I tried to muster—he saw right past all of it, straight to the mess underneath.

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” I snapped, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

“And yet, here you are,” he said, his tone maddeningly calm. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze roaming over me in a way that made my skin flush even hotter.

I rolled my eyes, hoping it might distract from the blush creeping up my neck. “Don’t act like this is my choice. You practically dragged me here.”

He chuckled, low and rich, the sound curling through the air between us. “Dragged you? You walked into that car all on your own, Kiera. Completely bare underneath that dress, I might add.”

My face flamed at the reminder, and I shot him a glare that only seemed to amuse him further.

“You blush so very easily,” he said softly, making my stomach flip. “Is it because you’re embarrassed, or because you like it?”

The words hit me like a jolt of electricity, and my breath caught in my throat. My first instinct was to throw some smart retort his way, but my mind betrayed me, conjuring the memory of his hands on me, his voice low and commanding as his cock sank deep into my pussy.

I bit my lip, looking away quickly, but that only made his smirk widen.

“Ah,” he murmured, leaning forward slightly. “It’s the second one, isn’t it?”

“Shut up,” I muttered, my voice shaky as I reached for my glass. The wine was smooth, but it did little to ease the heat still burning in my chest.

“Don’t worry, love,” he said, his tone light, but edged with something darker. “I like it too.”

The glass froze halfway to my lips, my pulse spiking as his words settled in the air between us. I lowered it carefully, placing it back on the table with a soft clink, and turned to face him fully, my hands clenched tightly in my lap.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

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