Page 89 of Ruthless Enforcer

"How?"

"Hendricks is tracing the vehicle and the explosives. If I'm right, the trail will lead back to Turner. Once I have proof, I can show it to Alessandro and your uncle, and we can end this without more bloodshed."

She grabs my arm. "And if you can't prove it in time?"

I step closer and cup her face in both hands. "Then I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if that means putting myself between your family and mine."

Her eyes search mine. "Gabriel⁠—"

"I mean it, Clara. I'm not letting you get caught in the crossfire. Not now. Not ever."

She reaches up and covers my hands with hers. "I'm not asking you to choose between me and your family."

I lean down and press my forehead to hers. "You are my family now."

Her breath catches.

Before she can respond, my phone buzzes again.

I pull back and glance at the screen.

Hendricks

Found something. Call me.

I dial immediately. "Talk to me."

"The vehicle registration is fake, but the VIN traces back to a fleet sale eighteen months ago. Guess who brokered the deal?"

"Turner."

"Exactly. And the explosives? The theft from the Whitlock site was reported internally, but the report was buried by someone with access to Whitlock's security network."

"Turner again?"

"Can't prove it yet, but the timing matches. He had access, motive, and opportunity."

"Send me everything you have. I need to show Alessandro and Whitlock before this gets worse."

"Already done. Check your email."

I pull up my email and scan the attachments. It's not perfect—there are gaps, assumptions, and circumstantial connections—but it's enough to create reasonable doubt. It's enough to buy time.

"I owe you," I tell Hendricks. "Now find me Turner's location. I want him in in my hands before the day is over."

"On it."

I end the call and look at Clara.

"We have proof?" she asks.

"Enough to make both families pause, but not enough to end this." I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her. "It's a start."

She leans into me, her cheek pressed against my chest. "What happens now?"

"Now I send this to Alessandro and your uncle. Then I get dressed, and I go to war."

She pulls back and looks up at me. "Not alone."