Claire's POV

I leaned against the doorframe of Vera’s room, arms crossed, watching as she sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers lazily tracing the edge of her gun on the nightstand. She wasn’t looking at me, but I knew she knew I was there.

She always knew.

“You’re waiting,” I said finally.

Vera’s eyes flicked up to me, a single brow raised. “Am I?”

I scoffed, pushing off the frame and stepping inside. “You know you are. You have a rat in your crew, you know what his mission is, and yet—” I gestured vaguely. “Here we are. Sitting. Doing nothing.”

Vera hummed, tilting her head slightly. “You make it sound like I’m twiddling my thumbs, pastelito.”

I gave her a look. “That’s exactly what you’re doing.”

She smirked, leaning back slightly, resting her weight on her hands. “Patience is a virtue, you know.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Since when do you give a shit about virtues?”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “You have no idea how this game is played, do you?”

I huffed, walking closer. “Oh, I’m sorry, I must have missed the chapter on ‘let the guy planning to kill me walk free while you sip whiskey and wait for a miracle.’”

Vera let out a low laugh, her eyes gleaming. “Dramatic.”

I stopped in front of her, staring down at her with frustration bubbling beneath my skin. “I don’t get it,” I admitted. “You’ve never hesitated before. When someone crosses you, they’re dead before they even see it coming. But now, when it’s my life on the line, you’re waiting. Why?”

Vera’s smirk faltered slightly.

For a second, she didn’t answer.

Then, with a casual shrug, she said, “Because killing him won’t stop this.”

I blinked. “What?”

Vera leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, watching me carefully. “If I take him out now, it doesn’t change the fact that Leo wants you dead. He’ll send someone else. And then someone else after that. At least this way, I know who to watch.”

I stared at her, processing her words, letting them settle in my mind. “So you’re just… letting him think he’s safe?”

Vera smirked. “You know how easy it is to kill someone who doesn’t see it coming?”

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Jesus.”

She chuckled. “Scared?”

I shot her a glare. “Of course I’m scared, you psycho. There’s a bounty on my head, and you’re playing chess with my life.”

Vera tilted her head, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “You trust me?”

I opened my mouth. Then closed it.

Did I?

She had pulled me into this world. She had pushed me to my limits, tested me, owned me in ways I didn’t even know I could be owned. But trust?

I swallowed.

“Yeah,” I said finally, voice quieter than I intended.

Something in Vera’s expression shifted, just barely, like she hadn’t expected that answer.

Her smirk softened.

“Then stop questioning me.”

I huffed, rolling my eyes. “You make it sound easy.”

She reached out, catching my wrist before I could step away. The touch was light, but it was enough to still me.

“Trust me,” she murmured again, lower this time.

I swallowed, meeting her eyes. I didn’t say it. But I nodded.

Vera’s POV

I walked ahead, expecting Claire to follow, but she didn’t move.

“Come on,” I called over my shoulder.

She crossed her arms. “Why can’t I just stay here?”

I sighed, rubbing my temple before turning back to her. “Because you usually attend, and if you don’t, people will talk.”

She scoffed. “I usually sit there and say nothing.”

“Exactly,” I smirked. “Should be easy for you.”

She rolled her eyes but still followed.

The warehouse was already packed by the time we arrived. Sixty men and women, all of them working under me, all of them watching me. But I only kept my focus on one.

The rat.

He stood near the back, arms crossed, jaw tight. He was trying too hard to look relaxed. If I didn’t already know what he was, I’d still suspect something was off.

I walked up to my usual spot, leaning against the edge of the table, looking out at the crew. Claire stood beside me, arms crossed, watching.

I let the silence stretch just long enough for anticipation to settle before I spoke.

“I’ll be coming back to you all soon with the plan for our next job,” I started, my voice even, smooth, controlled. “But that’s not why I called this meeting.”

I tilted my head, letting my gaze drag over them slowly, watching for the slightest shift, the tiniest tells.

“I gathered you here for good news,” I continued. “Earlier today, I received word that Oliver, Leo’s right hand, had an unfortunate accident.”

I paused, watching.

“Didn’t survive it.”

The room was silent for a beat. Then a few murmurs, a few chuckles. Some of my men exchanged glances, satisfied. Others nodded in approval.

And the rat?

He stiffened. Just barely. But I saw it.

His fingers twitched at his sides, his throat bobbed in a slow swallow. He didn’t look at anyone, didn’t react like the rest.

Because he was the last one to see Oliver alive.

And he knew Leo wouldn’t let it go.

Good. Let him sweat.

“I don’t have to tell you what this means,” I continued, keeping my expression relaxed. “Leo will retaliate. But that’s not our concern.” I smirked. “Ours is making sure he doesn’t get the chance.”

A few heads nodded in agreement, and then Miles—one of my men—stepped forward.

“You know, boss,” he started, arms crossed. “I feel like we’re doing good here. We got the upper hand. We should move faster. Take over Leo’s territory completely.”

A few murmurs of agreement followed.

I raised a brow.

“It’ll all go according to plan,” I said smoothly.

Miles scoffed slightly. “I get that, but we’re in the best position to strike harder now. If we don’t take it, we might lose it.”

The way he was challenging me, pushing for more, didn’t sit right.

“Leave the strategic thinking to me,” I said, my voice just sharp enough to make my point. “And focus on being the arm.”

A flicker of something passed through his eyes. But he nodded.

“Of course, boss.”

The meeting ended, the crew slowly dispersing, some still talking amongst themselves.

I stood in the corner, watching, drink in hand.

And that’s when I saw him. Miles.

He had approached Claire.

I frowned slightly, taking a slow sip of my drink, watching.

Claire was laughing.

Not just a polite chuckle. She looked genuinely entertained by whatever the hell he was saying.

Then his hand slipped around her waist.

He leaned in, whispering something in her ear.

Claire didn’t pull away. I clenched my jaw.

Whatever he said made her lips twitch in amusement.

I rolled my shoulders back, exhaling slowly.

Then I put my drink down.

And walked toward them.

Claire's POV

I wasn’t flirting. Not really.

Miles was charming, sure, but I wasn’t an idiot. I knew exactly what I was doing.

I had spent enough time around Vera to recognize when someone was pushing an agenda. Miles wasn’t just here for a casual chat—he was testing the waters, trying to figure something out. Maybe about me, maybe about Vera.

So, I played along.

A little smile here, a chuckle there, keeping the conversation light but controlled.

Then he got bold.

His hand slipped around my waist, and he leaned in, his voice dropping lower.

"Must be exhausting, being around her all the time," he murmured, his breath brushing against my ear. "I mean, come on, we all see it. She’s intense, even for you."

I hummed, tilting my head slightly, feigning amusement while my mind worked.

"Is that so?" I asked, keeping my tone playful.

Miles smirked. "I’m just saying, there are better places to be." His grip on my waist tightened slightly. "Better people to be around."

I wasn’t expecting Miles to put his arm around me, but I also wasn’t immediately opposed to it. He was friendly, easygoing, and for once, I was having a conversation that didn’t involve life-or-death situations. A break from the intensity.

Then Vera’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

“What are you doing?”

Miles’ hand dropped from my waist as we both turned to face her. She was calm—too calm. That kind of dangerous, controlled stillness that made the air shift.

“Nothing,” Miles said, giving an easy shrug. “We were just talking.”

Vera’s eyes flicked to me for a second before settling back on him. She took a slow step forward, and the weight in her voice made every conversation in the room fade into silence.

“Claire belongs to me. She is here for me and only me.”

My stomach dropped.

The words settled over me like a brand, loud enough for everyone to hear, loud enough that it wasn’t just a warning to Miles—it was a statement to the entire room.

I stared at Vera in disbelief.

Miles raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. “So what, Boss? The rights to her body are exclusive now? Since when do we have that rule?”

Disgust curdled in my chest.

I turned to Vera, waiting for her to shut it down, to tell him he had it all wrong.

She didn’t.

She took another step forward, her voice cold. “Since I said so.”

The room stayed silent. Miles stared at her, maybe wondering if she was serious, maybe wondering if he should push his luck.

After a beat, he nodded, giving a smirk that I wanted to rip off his face. “Understood.” Then he walked away like nothing had happened.

I turned back to Vera, expecting her to look at me, to say something—anything—to take it back.

She didn’t.

She was watching Miles leave, like this was just another problem handled, another loose end tied up. Like I hadn’t just been treated like a fucking object in front of an entire room of people.

My stomach twisted.

I stepped back.

Then, without a word, I turned and walked away.

Vera’s POV

I caught her wrist before she could take another step, yanking her back roughly. Claire stumbled slightly, her body stiffening against me. Her breath came sharp, but she didn’t try to pull away. Not yet.

The room was dead silent, the weight of my actions rippling through the gathered crew. I could feel eyes on us, waiting, watching. Testing. Miles had pushed a boundary. One I never should’ve let get this far in the first place. Now, I had to make sure no one ever thought about crossing it again.

I turned my gaze back to the crew, my voice sharp and absolute. “I want every single one of you to hear me.” I let my words settle, deliberate and heavy. “Claire isn’t one of you. She isn’t for you. She belongs to me. Only me.”

A slow tension spread through the space. The message was clear—undeniable. Some of them looked away, pretending not to react. Others met my gaze, processing the new reality I had just forced into existence.

I felt Claire’s entire body go rigid under my hold.

Slowly, I turned back to her, my fingers tightening around her wrist, keeping her in place. She was trembling—not with fear, but with barely contained rage.

I stepped in closer, my voice dipping just enough so only she could hear me. “And you,” I murmured, letting the words settle against her skin. “I hope this is clear for you too, pastelito.”

Her breathing was uneven, shallow, like she was fighting not to let herself react. Her jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might crack a tooth.

I didn’t stop.

I dragged her even closer, her body now pressed against mine, my fingers brushing the inside of her wrist, feeling the quick pulse beneath her skin.

I leaned in, my lips near her ear, my voice slow, controlled. “Your body isn’t yours anymore. Do you understand?”

Her breath hitched. A small, nearly imperceptible sound.

Not in desire.

In fury.

She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, and what I saw there sent a sharp thrill through me. Claire wasn’t just angry—she was livid. A wildfire barely contained, her chest rising and falling with each restrained breath, her entire body vibrating with the effort of holding back whatever it was she wanted to say, wanted to do.

The tension between us stretched unbearably tight, unspoken words clawing at the silence.

She wasn’t going to let this go.

And I didn’t want her to.

Claire's POV

I forced myself to keep my breathing steady, to ignore the way every single eye in the room was locked on me. The weight of Vera’s grip on my wrist was a reminder—one she wanted me to feel.

Mine.

She had just declared me hers like I was nothing more than a piece of territory, a belonging she had claimed in front of everyone.

I wanted to yank my arm away. I wanted to scream at her, to tell her she didn’t own me. But I wasn’t stupid. Not here. Not in front of them.

So I lowered my head slightly, biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself in check. “Claro, jefa,” I murmured, voice even.

Vera’s eyes stayed locked on me, searching, waiting for me to do something. But I didn’t give her anything. No rebellion. No defiance. Just obedience—at least on the surface.

She smirked slightly, satisfied. “Good girl.”

My stomach twisted.

She let go of my wrist, her fingers lingering a second too long before she finally released me. My skin burned where she had held me, but I didn’t move.

The room was still heavy with tension, but no one said anything. No one dared to.

I felt Vera’s presence next to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off her body. “Go back to your room,” she murmured lowly, only for me to hear. “We’ll talk later.”

I nodded once, not trusting my voice.

Then I turned and walked away, each step feeling heavier than the last.

But as I reached the hall, away from the suffocating stares of the crew, I clenched my fists.

I wasn’t going to let this slide.

Not this time.