Page 51 of His Ruthless Claim

"I will."

It's nearly impossible to pull away from her, though. Yet, I manage.

Mickey and Carmine wait by the cars, checking weapons and kevlar. The morning air carries a bite that matches the ice in my veins. My phone buzzes with Enzo's text - the address of the warehouse they moved Maria to on the south side.

"Boss." Mickey nods as I approach. "Ace has eyes on the location. Confirms Enzo's count."

I slide into the back of the black SUV, mind already mapping contingencies. The weight of my gun presses against my ribs, familiar as breathing. Maria's been gone three days. Too long.

But today, she comes home. And anyone who stands in my way will learn why Chicago whispers my name in fear.

The car pulls away from my house, leaving Skye safely behind those walls. Her kiss lingers on my lips as we drive toward the warehouse. For once, I don't check my watch. I know exactly what time it is.

Time to remind everyone why you don't touch what belongs to a Mantione.

The SUV crawls to a stop two blocks from the warehouse. I check my phone - another text from Enzo confirming positions. My fingers trace the grip of my Glock, mind clear and focused.

"Remember," I say to my men. "Anyone who doesn't respond with 'blackbird' gets put down. Clean shots only."

The warehouse looms ahead, rust eating through metal walls. Five guards patrol the perimeter. Two by the loading dock, three near the side entrance. I recognize one of Enzo's plants positioned exactly where he should be.

Mickey takes point while Carmine circles wide. The first guard doesn't see us coming. A silenced shot drops him before he can radio for backup. The second reaches for his weapon. Too slow.

"Blackbird," he calls out, lowering his gun. Smart man.

The other guard beside him isn't as lucky. My bullet finds his throat before he can scream. Blood sprays across concrete as he crumples.

"Status," I murmur into my earpiece.

"West side clear," Carmine responds. "Two targets neutralized. One friendly."

I move toward the entrance, stepping over cooling bodies. Marco falls in behind us, providing cover. The warehouse door groans as we breach, light spilling into darkness. Dust motes dance in the beam of my tactical light.

My pulse remains steady, breathing controlled. But Skye's voice echoes in my head - 'Go be the scary mob boss.' The ghost of her kiss lingers, grounding me as we clear each corner.

Movement ahead. A guard emerges from shadow, weapon raised.

"Blackbird!" He drops to his knees, hands up.

The last hostile appears on the catwalk above. My shot catches him center mass. He pitches over the railing, hitting concrete with a wet crack.

The final door stands between me and Maria. The lock gives way under my boot, metal screaming as hinges tear free. My light sweeps the room, catching on a figure huddled in the corner.

Maria lifts her head, those familiar brown curls falling away from her face. For a moment, I see my mother's smile in the weak curve of her lips. The memory slices through my chest, but this time it doesn't freeze me in place.

"Took you long enough, cousin." Her voice is hoarse but strong.

I cross the room in three strides, checking her for injuries. Besides some marks on her wrists from restraints, she seems unharmed. Enzo kept his word.

"Can you walk?"

She nods, gripping my arm as I help her stand. "They didn't hurt me. Just kept me here."

The sound of scuffling echoes from the hallway. Mickey and Carmine drag in our "blackbird" respondents, zip ties already securing their wrists. Enzo stumbles between them, playing his part perfectly.

"Get them in the vans," I order. The boys know what I need - for this to look good. No doubt I stormed in and stole my cousin and their men.

Maria leans against me as we exit, her legs shaky from days of minimal movement. The morning sun hits her face and she squints, pressing closer to my side. The gesture reminds me so much of when we were kids, of her holding my hand at my mother's funeral, that something in my chest cracks.

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