Page 39 of His Ruthless Claim

"Boss." Bas clears his throat. "We got word from our guys near The Block. Alfonso Figarello's been circling Skye's boutique. Three times today alone."

The paper crinkles between my fingers before I realize I'm crushing it. A cold sensation spreads through my chest - one I haven't felt since I was eight years old, watching the life drain from my mother's eyes while trapped in that mangled car.

Fear.

Raw, uncontrolled fear.

I don't fucking like guys near her, but Alfonso? I don't want her caught in his sights - especially after he got Enzo with me.

My men take an instinctive step back. I catch my reflection in the window - my usually impassive face has cracked, revealing something feral underneath.

"How long?" My voice comes out low, dangerous.

Mickey shifts his weight. "Started this morning. He's trying to be subtle, but..."

"But he's Cappalletti, and subtle isn't their strong suit." I smooth the wrinkled paper with deliberate care, each movement measured despite the chaos erupting inside me. "Who's watching her now?"

"Carmine's across the street. Ace is posing as a customer."

I rise from my desk, and both men tense further. They've seen me orchestrate violence without blinking, negotiate million-dollar deals without a single tell. But this - this visceral reaction to a potential threat against Skye - clearly unnerves them.

The last time I felt this unhinged was…

The memory hits without warning - metal groaning, glass shattering, my mother's blood turning the leather seats crimson. I grip the edge of my desk, forcing air into lungs that suddenly feel too tight. The watch on my wrist ticks, each second hammering against my skull.

"Bring her home. Now." My voice sounds foreign even to my own ears. "Clear the roads between here and the boutique. I want no surprises."

Bas nods sharply. "And the Cappallettis?"

"They're testing boundaries." I trace the watch face with my thumb, a habit I've never managed to break. "Giovanni's getting old. His sons are hungry. And they know-" Another flash: twisted metal, sirens wailing too far away to matter. I check the watch again. "They know I operate differently than my father."

Something I'll need to deal with.

The memories blur together - past and present, blood then and potential blood now. My carefully constructed control splinters. I've built my reputation on being untouchable, emotionless. But Skye...

My fingers find the watch again. 2:47. Still enough time before sunset makes the streets more dangerous.

A hand lands on my shoulder. I have my gun pressed to Bas's throat before conscious thought kicks in.

"Boss." He doesn't flinch, doesn't move. Smart man. "We'll get her here safe."

I lower the weapon slowly, cataloging my reaction for later analysis. This loss of control is unacceptable. "Go. Now. And Bas?" He pauses at the door. "Anyone gets within ten feet of her, put them down."

The door clicks shut. I check my watch again. 2:52. Time moves too slowly and too fast, like those endless hours trapped in the car. But this time I'm not helpless. This time I have power.

And the Cappallettis are about to learn exactly what that means.

But first, I need Sky away from them. While they go to collect her, I head for my car and rush home.

The minutes crawl by until I hear cars pull up outside. Security cameras show Bas escorting Skye through the gate, her graceful movements a stark contrast to his rigid vigilance.

My feet carry me to the foyer before I process moving. The door opens and she steps in, amber eyes widening at my presence. Before I can stop myself, I pull her against me, crushing her to my chest. Her surprised gasp hits my neck, sending electricity down my spine.

Reality crashes back. I start to step away, to reclaim the distance I maintain with everyone. But her fingers catch mine,holding me in place. The simple touch ignites something I thought died in that car twenty years ago.

"You're trembling," she whispers, thumb tracing my knuckles.

I am. The realization jolts through me. I never tremble. Never show weakness. Never feel.

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