Semua Bab Ruthless Claim: Bab 91 - Bab 100

The warehouse finally went quiet.Rain softened from a roar to a steady drum, tapping against broken windows and metal roofing. The echoes of the confrontation still hung in the air—like the walls themselves were catching their breath.Aria stood pressed against Luca, her heartbeat still racing from fear… and from the way he held her.Strong. Unmoving. As if letting go would undo the entire world.“Can you walk?” he murmured against her hair.She nodded, though her knees trembled.He didn’t trust the answer—he slid an arm beneath her knees and lifted her in one smooth motion.“Luca—” she whispered, startled.“I’m not risking you falling,” he said quietly. “Not after tonight.”She rested her head against his shoulder, letting herself soak in the warmth of him, the steadiness, the grounding. Her fingers curled lightly around his collar, gripping him like she still wasn’t sure she was safe.As he carried her inside, Marco stayed behind to secure the area.Inside the warehouse office, Luc

The phone vibrates again.A dull, buzzing pulse against the wooden nightstand that feels like a blade pressed to the stillness of the room.Luca’s hand tightens around the device, knuckles whitening.Aria steps closer not touching him yet, but close enough that he can feel her presence steadying him.“Answer it,” she whispers.Luca inhales slowly, then swipes to accept the call.He doesn’t put it on speaker.He doesn’t have to.The voice on the other end leaks into the room anyway.Calm.Smooth.Infuriatingly composed.Matteo.“I see you found her,” Matteo murmurs.“Congratulations, fratello.”Luca’s jaw locks.His voice drops to ice.“You’re going to wish I hadn’t.”Aria feels her breath catch.There is a pause on the other end brief, amused.“I assume you’re furious,” Matteo says softly. “But don’t worry. It wasn’t personal.”Luca’s eyes darken.“You took my son.”“Borrowed,” Matteo corrects. “And he is perfectly unharmed. You have my word.”“Your word means nothing.”“And yet you b

Luca didn’t let go of her waist.Not immediately.Not even after the tension softened between them.He held her like he wasn’t sure she was real, his thumb brushing the fabric of her shirt in slow, unconscious circles—soft, protective, almost aching.Aria felt her heartbeat match his, a quiet rhythm between them.For a moment, neither spoke.Then Luca finally drew back just enough to look at her properly.Not with anger.Not with fear.With honesty.“You asked me earlier… if I almost gave in.” His voice was low, careful.“I didn’t answer.”Aria’s lungs tightened.She’d almost forgotten she’d asked that.Almost.“What happened?” she whispered.Luca’s jaw flexed, like the memory tasted bitter.“When I left the house—to clear my head—someone approached me.”He paused.“Someone who used to be part of our world.”Her pulse jumped. “A woman?”The silence that followed was enough of an answer.Aria’s throat tightened, but she clenched her hands, forcing herself not to look away.“Did she try

The night closes around them as Luca speeds down the narrow industrial road, headlights cutting through the mist rising from the asphalt. Aria’s breath trembles, but she keeps her gaze fixed ahead, refusing to let fear swallow her. Not now. Not when they’re this close.Luca’s jaw is tight, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other reaching across the small space between them just to keep one fingertip touching her knee. It’s barely contact—just warmth—but Aria feels it like an anchor.“Talk to me,” he murmurs, eyes on the road.“I am talking,” she whispers.He shakes his head. “Not with your voice.”Aria swallows. She knows what he means. The panic she’s been burying, the hurt from earlier, the fear of losing their son—it’s all trembling beneath her skin.“You almost walked away from me tonight,” she says softly.Luca’s grip tightens. “I didn’t.”“But you wanted to,” she presses.Silence.A heavy, charged silence.“Aria…” he exhales, voice low, “wanting to run doesn’t mean I eve

The warehouse doors slam shut behind Matteo as officers drag him away, but even after the echo fades, the tension hangs thick in the air. Aria stands frozen, cradling the baby against her chest, her breath warm against his tiny head. Her arms tremble—not from fear anymore, but from release.Luca moves toward her slowly, like he’s afraid that if he rushes, the world may shatter again.“Let me see him,” he whispers.Aria shifts just enough so Luca can look. His hand rises—cautious, reverent—and gently cups the back of their child’s head. The baby lets out a soft, hiccuping cry, then quiets under Luca’s touch.Luca swallows, emotion thickening his voice. “He’s… he’s really here.”Aria nods, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. “And he’s okay.”Luca leans forward, pressing his forehead to theirs—hers and the baby’s—like he’s building a shield around them with just his presence.“I thought…” His voice cracks. He stops, breath shaking. “I thought I lost both of you tonight.”Aria’s fing