Page 35 of His Ruthless Claim

"I know." The words slip out before I can stop them.

"Of course you do." She doesn't sound surprised or scared - just amused. "Been keeping tabs on me, Luca?"

I should lie. Should maintain distance. Instead, I find myself watching the way her sleek black hair catches the fading sunlight as she moves around the counter. "Yes."

She stops beside me, close enough that I catch the subtle scent of her perfume. "Most women would find that creepy."

"But not you."

"No." Her amber eyes meet mine, fearless. "Not me."

Her eyes drift to my wrist as we stand in the dimming light of her boutique. "You know, you touch that watch constantly. Like it grounds you somehow." She takes a half step closer. "Was your grandfather… special to you?"

My entire body goes rigid. The familiar weight of the silver against my skin suddenly feels like it's burning. Images flash - twisted metal, my mother's blood-stained hands pressing the watch into mine, her last whispered words.

"I'm sorry." Skye's voice softens, loses that playful edge. "I shouldn't have-"

"My mother gave it to me." The words scrape out of my throat before her smile can fully fade. I never talk about that. Never wanted to. But watching her confidence dim makes something in my chest ache. "It was her father's. She..." My fingers find the worn edge again. "She gave it to me right before she died.Shewas important to me, and she loved her dad. So, in a way, yes. He was special to me."

Skye's hand hovers near mine for a moment, not quite touching. When she speaks, there's no pity in her voice. Just that same genuine interest she shows in everything about me. "She must have loved you very much."

"Yes." The word comes out rough. I force my fingers to still against the watch face.

Her smile returns, softer this time but no less brilliant. "Thank you for telling me."

I find myself studying the way the setting sun paints gold highlights in her dark hair, how it makes her amber eyes almost glow. She's close enough now that I could reach out, touch her face. The urge to do so is foreign, unsettling.

But for the first time since I was eight years old, watching my mother's life slip away, I want to reach for something I can't control.

The sound of shattering glass pierces the moment. Shouts and the distinctive thud of fists meeting flesh erupt outside the boutique. Before I can process the threat, my body moves on instinct, pulling Skye behind me.

Well, this was unexpected but very convenient for me.

"Stay here." My voice drops to that deadly calm that makes grown men tremble.

"Like hell." She grabs her phone, already dialing. But I catch her wrist, gentle yet firm.

"My men have it handled." Through the window, I watch Bas and Mickey drag two bleeding men apart while Carmine blocks curious onlookers. The metallic glint of brass knuckles catches the streetlight.

Skye peers around my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. "That's the third fight this week."

I turn to face her, keeping my body between her and the window. "You've been counting."

"Hard not to when it's right outside my home." Her amber eyes narrow. "Almost like someone's trying to make a point."

Smart girl. Too smart. But this time, I had nothing to do with it.

"This is why I'm concerned." I touch my watch again, an unconscious tell I need to eliminate. "Come stay with me. Just until I handle this situation."

"You mean until you figure out who's trying to intimidate me?" That sharp smile returns, but there's steel beneath it. "I don't run, Luca."

"I'm not asking you to run." My fingers brush her cheek before I can stop myself. Her skin is soft, warm. "I'm asking you to let me protect you."

"I can protect myself."

"I know." And I do. Everything about her radiates capability. It makes her more fascinating. "But you shouldn't have to. Not when I-" I catch myself, jaw clenching.

Her hand covers mine where it rests against her face. "When you what?"

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