Page 66 of Claim

After a few more moments, I hung up. I tucked my cell phone into my suit pocket, strolled into the ballroom, and immediately regretted it.

Sophia stood near the center of the room, wielding her power and completely oblivious to her effect on the people around her.

Why hadn’t I gone with my instinct and left as soon as the dedication and speeches ended? It would have been safer considering the plans I’d set in motion.

Now here I was, ready to break the hand of the next fucker who touched her.

Even with the scandal surrounding her, she commanded attention like a flame gathered moths. Men and women circled around her, discussing something or the other, many skimming a hand over her arm or grazing her back while they spoke.

Behavior that was entirely out of line in my book. And from how Sophia gracefully adjusted her position in the groups, she’d also agree.

In gatherings like tonight’s, social graces and pedigree took center stage. Sophia wore the label of the Morelli wild child. Still, she understood proper behavior in a formal setting.

And if I hadn’t spent most of the evening with a fucking hard-on, I’d have laughed at the way the society assholes seemed to fall all over themselves for a moment of her time.

The prick beside her stared adoringly at her as if she were his sun, moon, and stars. He wouldn’t know what to do with someone like her. Yes, he’d revere her and give her the gentle passion he’d expect for a woman of her station, but he’d leave her wanting and unfulfilled.

Sweet and soft weren’t even in the vicinity of her cravings.

With me, she’d have no mercy whatsoever. I’d take her home, fuck her mouth, her cunt, her ass.

She’d scream and beg for more. I’d possess her in every way possible.

Sophia was strong and not prone to melancholy. Hell, she’d faced so many challenges and kept her head high.

But I’d never gotten in so deep with any woman, not even Maria. With her, I cared and enjoyed her, but never this gut-wrenching call to protect, to keep safe, to hold, to put her first as I did with Sophia.

Maybe that made me a cold-hearted bastard.

I’d better walk away before I ruined Sophia too.

Attraction or not, Lucian was right. I wasn’t the right man for her.

I took in her smile one last time as she chatted with an older woman near her.

So fucking beautiful.

A man with a similar build to me and black hair approached her from behind. He slid his arm around her waist and then leaned into her neck as if to kiss her shoulder. She jerked in surprise, trying to pull away until she recognized the person. Her frown turned into laughter, and she turned toward him, lifted up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Who the fuck was that asshole?

I clenched my fist as rage stormed through me.

Sophia Morelli belonged to me. Every part of her was mine.

Whoever he was, he had no rights to her.

Before I realized it, I’d weaved my way through the crowded ballroom.

Pushing through the group around her, I ordered, “I’d get your hands off her if you know what’s best for you.”

Sophia whirled around as the man with her dropped his hold but blocked my way to her with his body.

“Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do with Sophia?” he asked.

I glared at him. “She’s my woman. So I suggest you never touch her in such a fashion again.”

The man glanced at Sophia, who stepped around him. A slight smile touched her full lips, and she shook her head.

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