Claire's POV

I watched Antonio leave, his footsteps disappearing down the hall as I turned my attention to Vera. She was still standing there, her posture rigid, every inch of her screaming fury. Her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides, as if she was barely holding herself back from storming out the door and setting the world on fire.

I hesitated for half a second before stepping closer. "Can I say one thing before you rush into action?"

Vera didn't even look at me. "No."

I rolled my eyes. "Vera—"

"I don't have time for this." Her voice was tight, sharp, barely keeping the anger contained.

I stepped in front of her, forcing her to acknowledge me. "I was right last time," I reminded her. "Just listen this time. You won't lose anything."

She still didn't move, but her jaw ticked, like the memory of the ambush, of Gabriel getting shot, was something she was trying not to acknowledge.

Finally, she exhaled through her nose and flicked her eyes toward me. "Speak."

I tilted my head. "What are you planning to do?"

She gave a humorless smirk. "Burn down Leo's safehouse, of course."

I sighed. "And you think he's not waiting for that?"

Her gaze sharpened, but I pushed forward.

"First, the ambush. Then, within hours, he burns one of your warehouses." I crossed my arms, making sure she saw how serious I was. "That's not impulsive, Vera. That's calculated. He has a plan. He's waiting for you to do exactly what he expects you to do. And this time, it'll be worse than the first. Especially now that Dominic is by his side."

Vera's lips pressed together, her silence speaking volumes.

"Then what?" she finally said, tilting her head. "I do nothing?"

I sighed, stepping closer. "No."

She still didn't move, didn't react, but her eyes tracked me as I reached out, letting my fingers brush lightly over her arm before gripping her bicep. My fingers curled slightly, feeling the tension in her muscles, the raw power she carried like second nature.

I smirked. "These are great and sexy and all," I murmured, giving a light squeeze. "But sometimes, we need to use your beautiful brain as well."

Vera's breath slowed.

I felt it under my touch—the way she tensed, the way her breathing evened out, like something had just shifted in her.

Like, for the first time since Antonio spoke, she wasn't thinking about fire and blood.

Like she had noticed me.

She arched a brow, unimpressed. "You think you know what he wants?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "You're predictable, Vera. Not in a bad way—just in a way that a guy like Leo knows how to use." I met her gaze, refusing to back down. "You hit fast and hard. You retaliate the second someone touches what's yours. And Leo is counting on that. He's expecting fire and blood, and he's already set the stage for it."

Vera's jaw ticked. She hated the idea of being predictable. Hated that someone like Leo might think he had the upper hand.

I leaned in slightly. "So don't give him what he wants."

She let out a slow breath, studying me. "Then what do you suggest, pastelito?"

I tilted my head, feeling the shift in the air. She was asking me, and that meant I had a chance to steer her toward something smarter.

"Offer a meeting," I said.

Vera narrowed her eyes.

I continued. "Make him think you're hesitating. That maybe you want to talk instead of go to war. He'll take the bait because he thinks he's winning."

Vera let out a humorless laugh. "I'm not meeting that bastard just to shake hands."

I smirked. "I know. That's not the point."

She exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "Then what is the point, Claire?"

I stepped closer, dropping my voice lower. "You make him think he has you right where he wants you... while you hit him where it actually hurts."

Something flickered in her eyes.

Now she was listening.

"You send word that you're open to a meeting," I went on. "Somewhere neutral. Somewhere safe. But while he's waiting for you to show up—" I let the words linger.

Vera finished them for me. "I burn his empire out from under him."

I nodded. "You said it yourself—burning one warehouse isn't enough. But while he's waiting for you, expecting you to be sitting at the same table as him, you could already be making your move."

Vera's expression didn't change, but I felt the shift in her posture.

She liked it.

She liked it a lot.

Vera's POV

I let Claire's words settle, weighing them in my head. She was right—Leo was waiting for me to make the obvious move, to retaliate fast and hard, just like he expected. But playing into his expectations would be a mistake.

I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. "There's just one problem with your plan, pastelito."

Claire arched a brow, waiting.

"If I'm sitting across from Leo, he'll be watching me. That means he'll be watching Antonio and Gabriel too. If either of them suddenly disappears while I'm 'negotiating,' he'll know something's off."

Claire barely hesitated. "Then send me."

I blinked.

Then I laughed. A sharp, amused sound. "No way in hell."

Claire didn't waver. "Send a couple of your men with me. I won't do anything, but I'll make sure the plan is carried out."

I tilted my head, watching her. "Claire, are you asking to be on the front line?"

She didn't hesitate. "I said I got your back, didn't I?"

Something dark and amused curled inside me.

Without thinking, I yanked her forward—aggressively, possessively, something sharp in the way I did it.

Claire gasped, stumbling against me, her hands instinctively pressing against my chest.

For a split second, she froze.

And then she blushed.

That reaction—it did something to me.

I leaned in, letting my breath brush her ear.

"That's kinda hot," I murmured.

Claire's entire body tensed, her breath hitching, but she didn't pull away.

I smirked. Now, this was getting interesting.

I pulled back just slightly, just enough to see the way Claire was still processing what had just happened. She wasn't pulling away, wasn't snapping back with some sharp remark like usual. Instead, her lips were slightly parted, her breath unsteady.

Good.

I let the moment stretch a little longer before finally speaking, shifting back into business.

"We won't be able to hit everything at once," I muttered, running my hand along my jaw as I thought through the logistics. "At most, we can take out two of his warehouses."

Claire's expression turned serious. "So we need to figure out which two matter most."

I nodded. "Leo has several operations, but they're not all vital. If we want to actually cripple him, we have to make sure we hit where it hurts. The plan needs to be bulletproof. Nothing can go wrong."

Claire hummed, nodding slightly as she fell into thought. I could see the gears turning in her head, could see the way she was already trying to piece it together.

I should've been satisfied with that. I should've been focused on the next step. But something tugged at me, something unfamiliar and annoying.

I exhaled sharply and looked at her. "I'm still not sure I'm okay with you going."

Claire blinked, then smirked. "Didn't take you for the worrying type."

I gave her a look, unimpressed with her attempt to brush it off.

Without thinking, I tightened my grip around her, making sure she felt it, making sure she knew I wasn't joking.

"If you get hurt," I murmured, my voice dropping lower, "I'll make you pay for it."

Claire arched a brow. "Wow." She tilted her head, lips curling into something teasing. "Are you always this romantic?"

I huffed a quiet laugh, shaking my head. This girl.

I was still holding her, still feeling the way her body fit against mine, and I realized—I hadn't let go.

Claire was still smirking, still playing it off like she always did. But I wasn't in the mood to let her dodge this—not the way she wanted.

I ran my fingers along her jaw, slow and deliberate. The teasing glint in her eyes flickered.

Her breath stuttered, her words dying in her throat.

She tried to cover it up, blinking quickly, but I saw it. That little moment where I stole her train of thought, where I yanked control right out of her hands.

I smirked, dragging my fingers just a little lower, brushing against the side of her throat. "What's wrong, pastelito?" My voice dipped, amused. "Lost your words?"

Claire swallowed, clearly trying to rally, but she was half a second too late.

I leaned in, close enough to feel the warmth of her breath, close enough that if either of us moved even an inch, there'd be no space left at all.

"I told you," I murmured, letting my lips just barely ghost over her skin. "It's hot."

Claire stiffened, her hands gripping my arms like she wasn't sure if she was about to push me away or pull me closer.

I tilted my head, amused. "Maybe you turned me on a little."

The way she froze.

Priceless.

I smirked against her cheek, soaking in the way her entire body tensed beneath my touch, the way her mind was clearly scrambling for something to say.

But this time? She had nothing. I chuckled low, finally pulling back, giving her space.

Claire just stood there, staring at me, confused as hell.

And I?

I just smirked, rolling my shoulders like nothing had happened.

"Come on," I said casually, like I hadn't just unraveled her in five seconds flat. "We've got a war to plan."

Claire still hadn't moved. Still hadn't spoken.

I grinned. Good.

Claire's POV

Vera walked ahead of me, her stride confident, her presence commanding, like she was already ten steps ahead of everyone in the damn building. I should've been focused on what we were about to do, but my mind was still stuck on what just happened back in her office.

The way her fingers had trailed along my jaw.

The way she had leaned in, her breath hot against my skin.

The way she had said—maybe you turned me on a little.

I blinked, hard.

Nope.

Not going there right now.

"Stay by me and stay quiet," Vera murmured, voice low, pulling me from my thoughts.

I frowned slightly but nodded.

We were heading toward the briefing room where the crew was already gathered. I could hear them murmuring inside, waiting for Vera to give the next order.

Vera slowed her pace, giving me a look before she continued, "I'll pitch the idea as mine. When I say that you will lead the hit, you have to object."

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

She didn't elaborate.

I grabbed her wrist, stopping her just before we reached the door. "Vera, what the hell—"

"Trust me, mi vida," she interrupted smoothly, stepping closer.

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable, something sharp, calculating.

Then, just as fast, her lips curled into a smirk.

"And I'm sorry for what I'm about to do," she added, giving me a wink.

Then, without another word, she slipped into the room.

I stood there for a second, staring at the door as it closed behind her.

Oh, this is gonna be bad.

I exhaled sharply before following her in.

The second I stepped into the briefing room, all eyes were already on Vera. She stood at the head of the room, arms crossed, completely at ease, like she hadn't just winked at me with some cryptic warning two seconds ago.

The crew was tense, waiting for her to speak. Antonio leaned back in his chair, arms folded, his face unreadable. The others stood in small clusters, murmuring among themselves. The weight of Leo's attack was still hanging over them, but now, they were all focused on one thing—what Vera was going to do next.

I kept to her side, just like she told me to, staying quiet as she took her time, letting the anticipation settle before finally speaking.

"We're hitting back," Vera said, her voice calm, even. "Leo thinks he can pull the strings, that we'll react the way he expects. But we're going to be two steps ahead."

A murmur ran through the crew, a few nodding in agreement, others just waiting for her to continue.

Vera leaned against the table, her fingers tapping lightly against the surface. "We won't waste time retaliating blindly. That's what he wants. Instead, we take out the warehouses that actually matter."

Hector's replacement, a man named Elias, spoke up. "Which ones?"

"His main supply lines," Vera answered smoothly. "We will identify two locations that are critical to his operation. We hit them both, fast, clean, and we make sure he knows exactly who did it."

The energy in the room shifted. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. This was a strategy.

Antonio nodded. "Makes sense. But who's leading the hit?"

Then it happened.

Vera's gaze flicked to me, smooth and effortless. "Claire."

I nearly choked.

The entire room went silent.

Every head turned toward me, a mix of surprise, doubt, and disbelief flashing across their faces. Antonio's brows lifted slightly. Gabriel would have had something to say if he was here. Some of the men shifted uncomfortably, clearly not thrilled about the idea of an outsider—me—leading the operation.

I turned to Vera so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. "Excuse me?"

Vera barely glanced at me. "You heard me."

I took a step forward, lowering my voice. "Vera, what the hell?"

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Something wrong, pastelito?"

My teeth clenched. This was what she meant.

She wanted me to object, to argue against this. She set me up.

I turned back to the crew, scanning their faces. Some were clearly waiting for me to push back, to admit I wasn't cut out for this. Others looked like they'd enjoy watching me crash and burn.

Vera was watching, waiting.

I exhaled sharply and forced the words out.

"No." I shook my head, crossing my arms. "I'm not leading this. That's a terrible idea."

Elias scoffed. "Glad we agree."

Vera's smirk deepened, like she had been expecting my reaction. "Oh? And why is that?"

I shot her a glare. "Because I don't run your operations. I don't even work for you, remember?"

Vera hummed, like she was considering that. Then, she turned back to the crew, completely unfazed. "And yet, she's the reason Leo's last plan failed."

The murmurs started again, this time different.

"She's reckless," Elias pointed out. "And untrained."

"Then let's call it trial by fire," Vera said smoothly.

I could kill her.

She met my eyes, and for a split second, something passed between us—something unspoken, something calculated. Trust me, mi vida.

And suddenly, I realized what she was doing.

She was challenging them.

They had doubted her after Gabriel got hurt. They had questioned whether she was slipping, whether Claire had too much influence on her. And now? Now Vera was throwing me into the fire, watching their reactions, testing their loyalty.

It wasn't just about the hit.

It was about proving she was still in control.

And I was the proof.

Son of a—

I ran a hand down my face, trying to keep my patience. "Vera."

The weight of every stare in the room pressed against me, waiting for me to fail, waiting for me to push back again.

Vera wasn't letting that happen.

Before I could open my mouth, her hand shot out, gripping my wrist roughly. I barely had time to react before she yanked me forward, forcing me closer to her, forcing me to look up into her cold, unreadable gaze.

The room went dead silent.

She leaned in, voice low, dangerous. For the crew, not for me.

"You think you get a choice in this?" she asked, her fingers tightening around my wrist. It wasn't painful, but it was meant to look like it was.

I swallowed hard, playing along, knowing exactly what this was.

She was putting me in the line of fire in front of everyone, making them think she was shoving me into this against my will.

That I wasn't being pampered. That I wasn't safe.

I could feel the shift in the crew the moment she did it—their gazes sharpening, their doubt flickering into something else.

Vera turned her head slightly, speaking to the room but never looking away from me.

"She doesn't want to lead? Too bad," Vera said, her voice loud enough for all of them to hear. "None of you ever got a say in your first job. Why should she?"

A murmur rippled through the crew.

I exhaled sharply, keeping my expression controlled, but my pulse was racing.

Vera's fingers flexed slightly against my wrist, and for a second—just a second—I felt it.

The hesitation.

Her body was close, her grip firm but not cruel, and her eyes— something flickered there, something only I could see.

I don't want to do this.

But I have to.

I bit the inside of my cheek and lowered my gaze, pretending like I was forced into submission.

The tension in the room shifted.

Antonio sighed, running a hand down his face. "This is insane."

Elias looked almost amused. "Fine. Let's see if she makes it out."

Vera held my wrist a second longer before shoving me back lightly, a dismissive motion, but she didn't look at me again.

"Meeting's over," she announced.

The crew scattered, some muttering, some glancing my way like I was already a dead girl walking.

I stayed where I was, flexing my fingers where she had held me.

Vera turned and walked away without a glance, but I saw the tension in her shoulders.

I exhaled slowly.

I had just been thrown to the wolves.

And Vera had made damn sure they thought it was against my will.

Vera's POV

I could feel Antonio's eyes on me before he even spoke. The weight of his stare, the hesitation in his stance—I already knew what was coming.

"Vera, this isn't a good idea."

I didn't stop moving. Didn't even turn to look at him. I reached for my cigarette, lighting it with slow, deliberate movements.

Antonio stayed planted where he was, arms crossed, his jaw tight. "Claire—"

That made me pause.

I exhaled a slow drag of smoke, then turned, my gaze locking onto his. "Follow your role in this, Antonio." My voice was even, but the edge beneath it was sharp.

He didn't flinch, but I saw the way his shoulders tensed.

"I know my role," he said. "But this? You're playing a dangerous game. You think making them believe you're forcing her into this will fix everything?"

I held his stare, unreadable. "I think it'll keep her alive."

Antonio exhaled, shaking his head. "You don't know that."

I took another drag, watching him through the smoke. "No. But I know one thing—you questioning me won't do a damn thing to change what's happening."

He clenched his jaw.

"Go get me the information I need," I continued, my tone colder now, sharper. "Find out which two warehouses are Leo's most valuable. Find out where he keeps his stock, his money, his leverage. I don't care how you do it, I don't care who you have to hurt to get it—just get it done."

A flicker of something passed through Antonio's expression, but he didn't push further.

He gave a small, reluctant nod before turning and walking away.

I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders back, the weight pressing in on me more than I wanted to admit.

Because I knew Antonio was right.

I was playing a dangerous game.

But it was the only one I knew how to win.