Page 47 of Luca
“I know,” Luca interrupted, his voice low and steady. “But he won’t touch you again. I promise.”
The lift doors opened, and we stepped into the parking garage. Trigger was waiting, leaning casually against the car, but when he saw us, his eyes widened with concern as he took in my dishevelled appearance.
“Is everything alright, Miss Benson?” Trigger asked, his tone professional, but I could see the worry etched in his features.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Just a little altercation at work.”
Luca opened the door for me, and I slid into the back seat, the leather cool against my skin. He climbed in beside me, closing the door with a decisive thud that cut off the world outside.
As Trigger started the engine, I turned to Luca, searching his face for reassurance. “Thanks for saving me, Luca, for having my back in there. I’d like to think I could have handled the situation myself, but if I’m truly honest, I’m not so sure I could.” Admitting something like that to anyone else would normally have made me feel vulnerable, but this was Luca. With him, I felt a strange sense of safety blooming in my chest, one I hadn’tanticipated. It was a welcome change, knowing I could lean on someone without losing my own strength or resolve.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’ll always have your back, Claire, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you. Not now, not ever,” he replied, kissing the top of my head.
His words and the warmth of his lips sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire in my chest that both thrilled and terrified me. In the cocoon of the car, with Luca beside me, I realised just how deeply I needed him—and the lengths I was willing to go to keep him in my life.
As we drove through the city, the streets blurred past, but I felt anchored by Luca’s presence, his promise wrapping around me like a shield. Yet, the reality of what had happened with Damien loomed large, a reminder that the consequences could ripple through my life in ways I couldn’t yet fathom. But I was the Ice Queen, and I would face whatever came with my usual steel resolve.
CHAPTER 28
LUCA
THE FOLLOWING DAY – BREAKFAST IN BED
The early morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I lay in bed, acutely aware of the warmth beside me. Claire’s long blonde hair spilled across the pillow like a silken cascade. Her face was peaceful in sleep. A wave of affection surged within me, mingling with the remnants of last night’s adrenaline. After the incident with that Turner guy, I had held her close, offering comfort in the only way I knew how. The heat of our bodies had entwined, melting away the tension, and we’d found solace in each other.
I watched the rise and fall of her chest as she lay sprawled across me, and the situation I’d found her in the evening before replayed in my mind. When she’d called, I’d been on my way back from work myself after a meeting with the manager of one of our restaurants. I’d known she’d be working later so she could attend the after-work drinks for the retiring partner, and I’d been content in the fact that Vlad was waiting for her outside. But when she’d called to say she hadn’t left yet, I’d got Trigger to head there so I could surprise her. And I couldn’t be more glad I had.
It hadn’t occurred to me that Claire would be in danger in the office where she’d worked for the last few years. A place whereshe should have been safe. The fact that one of her colleagues would dare to attack her galled me. The man was a problem. His image invaded my mind. Damien Turner—his bruised face hopefully a reminder not to touch my woman, or any woman for that matter. Though I doubted it.
Someone who would try to force himself on a woman was an A-grade arsehole in my book. That thought filled me with a primal rage, just as seeing her dishevelled appearance and frightened look after he’d tried to attack her had made me nearly lose it completely. If she hadn’t been there, hadn’t pulled me back, I would have killed the guy. I’d taught him a bit of a lesson, but I doubted it was one he’d remember for long.
As we’d left the office, I’d noticed the glint in his already swelling eye. I’d seen the look before. The one that promised revenge. I would need to keep a close watch on the bastard because I had a feeling last night’s incident wouldn’t be the last.
Body tense, I bit down hard on my growing anger, not wanting to wake my Little Miss Sexy Ass up yet. After the day she had yesterday, and with the worry she must be feeling over the future of her employment at Turner and Hanson, she needed her rest.
I hated the idea of Claire needing to work there with that guy again. The thought of that bastard being anywhere near her sent another pulse of anger through my veins. But I knew how hard she’d worked to get where she was, and how much she’d set her heart on becoming one of their partners in the next couple of years. So, if she wanted to remain working there, I’d do all I could to ensure her safety from now on.
Vlad had been shadowing Claire since her car had been vandalised in the prison car park. Until last night, he’d kept her safe. However, at her request, he’d been discreet about it. That ended now. From today, I’d ensure he made his presence known, dogging her every step as a warning to anyone else who mighttry to harm her. Whether or not she liked it. Although, after the experience of yesterday, I suspected she wouldn’t fight me on that any longer.
I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. For a moment, she simply gazed at me, her blue eyes soft and inviting, as if I were the only thing in her world that mattered. It made me feel powerful and vulnerable all at once.
“Morning,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, yet it sent a jolt of desire straight to my core.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I said, leaning down to brush her lips with mine. “How are you doing after last night?” I asked, concern lacing my voice as I noticed the slight trace of worry in her eyes as she peered up at me.
“Last night was intense,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but I could hear the underlying tension.
“Yes, it was, but it’s over now and you’re safe. I’ll make sure of it,” I said, my hand drifting up to gently stroke the back of her head.
She nodded, a slight smile lifting the corners of her mouth, but I could sense the shadow lingering in her mind. “Usually, I can take care of myself. My mum brought me up to be independent. I’ve done several of the classes Derrick runs for women in self-defence, and I have to admit, they helped last night. But I was still vulnerable. That’s not something I am used to feeling. Not me, the Ice Queen, who can shut a man down with just one look. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I’m not sure if I could have continued fighting him off. It was a humbling experience to know that I can’t always rely solely on myself after all.”
“That’s not a bad thing, Claire. You’re strong, but it’s okay to rely on the help of others now and then. It doesn’t detract from your capabilities or make you any less independent. Believe me,I know. In my world, I’ve had to grow strong too and rely on that strength and my wits to keep me safe. But there are times when even that isn’t enough, and I’ve needed someone to have my back. That’s usually been Miki and the rest of my Brotherhood. But recently, it’s also been you, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”
She kissed my chest and sighed. “You’re mine now, Claire, and I won’t ever let anything happen to you. Not while I have a breath left in my body. I will always have your back and you can rely on me for anything,” I told her, letting the sincerity come through in my voice.
I could feel her smile against my chest, and in that moment, the heaviness of the night before lifted.
“You know, I never expected to wake up like this,” she said, glancing around the room as if it were a new adventure.