Page 52 of His Ruthless Obsession

At this, my hold loosens and my own eyes widen. Fear flashes across her face, and I wonder if she's ever admitted that before.

"In self defense," she adds softly. "But I did. He's gone."

It's weird how pride works its way through my body as she says it. "Good." I lean forward and kiss her slowly. Only once the pure rage starts to ebb from my body do I pull back. "I'm proud of you."

A bit of relief flickers through her eyes as if she thought I was going to fucking judge her. Her voice softens. "But I won't be sidelined. Not by anyone, not anymore."

"This isn't about control." I slide my hand to her jaw. "If anything happened to you-"

"And what about you?" Her fingers curl into my shirt. "You think I could live with myself if something happened and I wasn't there? If I…" She swallows hard. "If I lose you."

"You're too important to risk."

"So are you." The raw honesty in her voice strips away my defenses. "Please, Nerio. Don't push me away."

I rest my forehead against hers, breathing in her familiar scent. "You stay by my side. No heroics."

"Deal." Her lips curve into a smile. "Though I should warn you - I'm pretty good in a fight."

"Is that so?" I back her against the wall, cage her with my arms.

"Mmhmm." She tilts her chin defiantly. "Want me to demonstrate?"

I capture her mouth in a bruising kiss, swallowing her gasp. Her fingers thread through my hair as she pulls me closer, erasing any space between us. All thoughts of the coming battle fade away as I lose myself in her touch, her taste, the way she whispers my name. And if this is my last chance, I'm going to taste every inch of her.

So pressed up against the door of our apartment, I drag my tongue along her skin, making her come on my face before I finally bury myself in that glorious cunt and pumping her full.

Condition number two: she has to feel me dripping out of her all night. Just as a little reminder of who she belongs to.

21

JAZZ

The night air clings to my skin like a second layer as I lean against Nerio's BMW, watching shadows dance across brick walls. His presence beside me radiates tension, a coiled spring waiting to snap. Marco paces near the entrance of the narrow alley, checking his phone every few minutes.

"They took the bait." Marco's voice cuts through the silence. "Tony's crew spotted three of their cars heading this way."

Nerio's jaw tightens. He adjusts the shoulder holster beneath his suit jacket. "How many?"

"At least eight." Marco tucks his phone away. "Maybe more inside."

"Perfect." Nerio's lips curl into that dangerous smile I've come to know too well. His hand finds the small of my back, guiding me deeper into the shadows. "Stay close, little dove."

The warehouse looms ahead, its weathered sign creaking in the breeze. Small groups of Bueti men emerge from the darkness like ghosts, taking positions around the building. The narrow alley behind it forms a natural choke point - a death trap for anyone stupid enough to walk into it.

Tony materializes beside us, all business. "Perimeter's set. We've got eyes on both exits."

"They're here." Marco's whisper carries through the stillness.

Engines purr in the distance. Nerio pulls me to the back of the alley where I shouldn't get heard, tucking me behind massive wooden crates. He kisses me harshly then drags his lips along my cheek. "Stay here." His breath tickles my ear. "Remember what I said – if anything goes wrong, you run. Don't look back."

"I'm not leaving you." The words slip out before I can stop them.

His grip tightens. "You'll do exactly as I say."

Footsteps echo off brick walls. Voices drift closer - angry, determined. I count the seconds between each breath. This is the calm before the storm, the moment when everything hangs in perfect balance.

"Get ready." Marco's hand moves to his weapon.

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