Chapter 14 - The Shield at the Gate
Alexander ended the call, his hand trembling with suppressed rage. The fragile peace he had touched only hours before felt as though it was fracturing beneath his feet. He could endure Julianna’s malice, and he could endure the venom of Manhattan high society, but the moment they dared to extend their claws toward Claire and Leo, all restraint vanished.
He pushed the door open, the bell chiming once more. Claire turned, immediately noticing the change in his posture—the hardened set of his shoulders, the predatory focus in his dark eyes that belonged to the ruthless CEO she had once feared.
"What happened?" she asked, setting down a bundle of twine.
"Julianna’s family is looking into your settlement," he said, deciding not to conceal the danger. Hiding truths had destroyed them once; he would not repeat the sin. "Her father’s attorneys are attempting to challenge the funds I transferred to you three years ago. And they know you have a child."
Claire went utterly still. The color drained from her lips, but her spine remained straight as iron. "Leo has nothing to do with them. His birth certificate carries no father's name. You made sure of that when you walked away."
The words cut him like broken glass, but he accepted the blow without flinching. "I know. And I will never force my name onto him if it puts him in harm’s way. But the Sterlings don't care about truth, Claire. They care about leverage."
Before Claire could speak, the rear door of the shop opened, and Gabriel stepped through, carrying an empty crate. He took one look at Claire’s pale face and then turned his cold, calculating eyes onto Alexander.
"What did you bring to our doorstep, Moretti?" Gabriel demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"The past," Alexander said, turning fully toward Gabriel. "And I intend to bury it before it reaches this counter."
"You don't get to fight your battles in our house," Gabriel said, stepping between Alexander and Claire. "I’ve spent three years making sure nobody found her. If your presence here puts a spotlight on Leo, I will personally drive you into the ocean."
"Gabriel, stop," Claire whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Fighting won't solve this."
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"He’s right to be angry, Claire," Alexander said quietly. "I brought this storm. But I will be the wall that breaks it."
***
