27. Claire

CHAPTER 27

CLAIRE

A FEW DAYS LATER – ATTACKED

T he firm’s conference room buzzed with conversation and clinking glasses, the familiar hum of ambition and success surrounding me. I lingered near the back, holding a glass of champagne, listening as Donald Turner—Old Man Turner to everyone—gave his retirement speech. He’d built Turner and Hanson into one of the most respected law firms in the city, and tonight was his swan song. Partners, associates, and barristers crowded the room, all here to celebrate the legacy of a man who had spent his life defending the law.

“It’s been a privilege,” he began, his voice carrying authority, commanding the room’s attention as he’d commanded the courtroom for the past forty years. “I’ve seen this firm through its highs and lows, and now it’s time to pass the mantle on to younger folk.”

He raised his glass toward his grandson, Damien Turner, who stood proudly beside his mother, Margaret. “Damien, you’ve proven yourself time and again. Our youngest partner yet. You’re going to take this firm to new heights, and I’ll be watching with pride as you do.”

“Grandfather,” Damien said in his crisp, upper-class English accent, lifting his glass in response. He looked around the room with a smug smile, soaking in the praise. The epitome of a privileged upbringing, he wore his entitlement like a badge of honour. He was exactly where he wanted to be, where he believed he was destined to be—partly because of his talent, but mostly because of his family name. I watched, feeling a mix of envy and determination. Damien was on the fast track, but I’d fought for every inch of my success.

“And Claire Benson,” Turner continued, his gaze shifting to me. “One of our brightest. With the results you’ve been delivering, it won’t be long before we’re celebrating your partnership, too.”

The applause that followed warmed me, a comforting validation of the years I’d spent proving myself. I raised my glass, catching Old Man Turner’s eye. “Thank you, Mr Turner. I’ve learned from the best.”

He nodded, his smile crinkling the lines of his well-worn face. “And now, it’s my turn to step aside, leave the office behind, and spend more time on the golf course. So, if any of you fancy a round or two, you know where to find me.”

The room erupted in applause once more, a fitting send-off for a man who had dedicated his life to the firm. As he stepped back, I was swept up by the buzz of congratulations, colleagues offering praise and encouragement. For a moment, everything felt like it was finally falling into place. This firm had been my world for years, and making partner wasn’t just a title—it was validation, proof that every late night and sacrifice had been worth it. I had fought for every opportunity, and the dream of partnership was inching closer to reality.

Eventually, the crowd began to thin as the night wore on. I excused myself and headed back to my office. I still had some paperwork to wrap up before I could call it a night, and I wanted to leave, knowing I’d cleared my desk for the weekend. I typed up my final report. it was Friday night, and I was longing to get home. Vlad would be bored sitting outside waiting for me all of this time.

As I finished tidying up my desk, I pulled out my phone and texted Luca.

Hey honey, I’m just finishing up now. Miss you. x

His response came quickly, laced with his usual warmth.

Miss you too, babe. Can’t wait to have you back in my arms. x

I smiled at his words, a rush of anticipation swelling within me. I glanced at the clock, feeling that familiar excitement of knowing I’d be home soon. Just as I was about to gather my things and leave, I heard footsteps approaching my office.

There was a knock at my door. I looked up, expecting to see one of the other associates. Instead, it was Damien, leaning against the frame with an easy smile, his tie loosened and eyes hazy from too much champagne. There was a cockiness about him that always rubbed me the wrong way.

“Evening, Claire,” he drawled, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He didn’t just shut it; he locked it, the click of the mechanism sending a ripple of unease through me.

“Evening, Damien.” I tried to keep my tone light, though the alarm bells in my head were already ringing. “I’m just finishing up.”

Smirking, he took a few steps closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “You know, I’ve been meaning to catch you alone. Thought I’d take my chances one more time. Drinks? Dinner? Or maybe we could simply skip those and go straight to mine?”

Damien’s words hung in the air, and I felt a flutter of uncertainty in my stomach. It wasn’t the first time he’d asked me out, and I’d always politely refused, keeping our interactions strictly professional. “Thanks, Damien, but you know my rule. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

His smile faltered, darkening with irritation. “That’s a shame, Claire. You don’t seem to mind mixing business and pleasure when it comes to your Russian.”

The words hit me like a slap. I stared at him, caught between anger and disbelief. “That’s none of your business. You should leave.”

But he didn’t. He moved closer, his presence suffocating in the confined space of my small office. “I don’t like being told no, Claire. Not when I know you’ve already got a taste for bending the rules.”

His tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I took a step back, my mind racing. “Damien, I’m serious. This isn’t appropriate.”

He ignored me, his eyes fixed on mine with a predatory intensity. Before I could react, he lunged, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward him. I twisted, trying to break free, but he was stronger, and the alcohol had dulled his sense of restraint. He pushed me against the desk, his hands rough and insistent, fumbling at my blouse.

“Get off me!” I shouted, shoving at his chest, but he pinned me in place, his weight crushing against me. His hand snaked up, gripping my wrist painfully as he tried to force my head back for a kiss.

I fought against him, clawing and kicking, but his grip tightened, and panic surged through me. This couldn’t be happening. I twisted my body, managing to free one arm long enough to drive my knee up, catching him in the groin. He let out a grunt of pain and staggered back, giving me just enough space to scramble away, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Damien’s face contorted with fury as he straightened, his hand clutching where I’d kneed him. “You bitch?—”

The door burst open, and suddenly Luca was there, eyes blazing, his presence filling the room with a terrifying fury I’d never seen before.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Luca’s voice was low, dangerous, as he advanced on Damien.

Damien backed up, fear flashing across his face, but it was too late. Luca grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall with such force that Damien’s head cracked against the plaster. I watched, still shaken, as Luca’s fist connected with Damien’s jaw, the sound of bone hitting bone sharp and brutal.

“Luca, stop!” I shouted, my voice breaking. But he didn’t hear me, or maybe he just didn’t care. He landed another punch, and then another, each one driven by a fury that seemed unending.

I rushed forward, grabbing Luca’s arm, trying to pull him back. “Luca, please. That’s enough!”

He paused, breathing heavily, his eyes wild with rage. Damien slumped to the floor, dazed and bloody, his bravado shattered. Luca released him, but not before leaning in close, his voice a low growl. “Come near her again, and I will kill you. Got it?”

Damien nodded, clutching at his jaw, his arrogance replaced by fear, and I knew he’d remember Luca’s words long after the bruises faded. Getting to his feet, he stumbled out of the office, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Luca turned to me, his expression softening, and in that moment, all the adrenaline that had been keeping me upright finally drained away. My legs felt like jelly, and I sank back against my desk, trembling. Stepping closer to me, he took me in his arms and held me.

“Are you alright, babe?” Luca asked, his voice gentle now, full of concern as he murmured the question against my hair.

I nodded, though I didn’t fully trust my own voice. “Yeah, I just… I didn’t expect him to…”

Luca reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his touch grounding me. “Let’s get you home.”

I stood shakily, gathering my things with Luca’s help.

“What are you doing here? I thought Vlad was taking me home as usual?” I asked, my voice a little steadier now.

“Thought I’d surprise you. I was just heading back home from work myself when you texted me and made a detour. Trigger’s waiting in the car. I sent Vlad home for the night,” he said, holding me close into his side as we slowly walked to the lift.

As we passed Damien’s office, I glanced inside. Damian was there, hunched over in his chair, a cloth held against his bloodied lip and reddened jaw—the aftermath of Luca’s wrath. Fury, fear, and disgust filled me. What would come of all this? Neither of us would report the incident to the police; I wouldn’t want Luca to get into trouble for beating Damien, and Damien wouldn’t want a sexual assault charge against him. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t seek some form of revenge. The reality was, as a partner in the firm where I was employed, I would have to interact with him regularly. Could we truly maintain a professional working relationship after this? Would this incident jeopardise my future here? As I gnawed on my lip, a knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach. I couldn’t shake the worry that my career was now hanging by a thread.

Luca followed my gaze, sensing the turmoil brewing within me. He pulled me closer, his arm tightening around my shoulders in a protective gesture. “Don’t worry about him right now. Let’s focus on getting you home and safe. Everything else can be dealt with on Monday.” His voice was firm, grounding me amidst the chaos in my mind. The warmth of his presence offered a flicker of reassurance, but the weight of uncertainty lingered. I needed to find a way to navigate this mess without compromising everything I had worked for.

I nodded, leaning against him as the lift doors opened. Once inside, the silence was heavy, broken only by the soft hum of the machinery. I felt Luca’s eyes on me, a mix of concern and something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to confront.

As the lift descended, I replayed the events of the night in my mind, the horror of Damien’s attack juxtaposed with the fierce protectiveness Luca had shown. It left me feeling raw and vulnerable, but also grateful.

“I’m so glad you arrived when you did,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “I’m not sure what would have happened?—”

“I know,” Luca interrupted, his voice low and steady. “But he won’t touch you again. I promise.”

The lift doors opened, and we stepped into the parking garage. Trigger was waiting, leaning casually against the car, but when he saw us, his eyes widened with concern as he took in my dishevelled appearance.

“Is everything alright, Miss Benson?” Trigger asked, his tone professional, but I could see the worry etched in his features.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Just a little altercation at work.”

Luca opened the door for me, and I slid into the back seat, the leather cool against my skin. He climbed in beside me, closing the door with a decisive thud that cut off the world outside.

As Trigger started the engine, I turned to Luca, searching his face for reassurance. “Thanks for saving me, Luca, for having my back in there. I’d like to think I could have handled the situation myself, but if I’m truly honest, I’m not so sure I could.” Admitting something like that to anyone else would normally have made me feel vulnerable, but this was Luca. With him, I felt a strange sense of safety blooming in my chest, one I hadn’t anticipated. It was a welcome change, knowing I could lean on someone without losing my own strength or resolve.

“You don’t need to thank me. I’ll always have your back, Claire, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you. Not now, not ever,” he replied, kissing the top of my head.

His words and the warmth of his lips sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire in my chest that both thrilled and terrified me. In the cocoon of the car, with Luca beside me, I realised just how deeply I needed him—and the lengths I was willing to go to keep him in my life.

As we drove through the city, the streets blurred past, but I felt anchored by Luca’s presence, his promise wrapping around me like a shield. Yet, the reality of what had happened with Damien loomed large, a reminder that the consequences could ripple through my life in ways I couldn’t yet fathom. But I was the Ice Queen, and I would face whatever came with my usual steel resolve.