Page 159 of Ruthless Claim
“Seraphina needed some fresh air, and this park has the best playground.” Emma stops the stroller alongside our bench and smiles at Claire. “Hi, I’m Emma. Cillian’s cousin.”
“Claire Murphy.” Claire extends her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
Emma shakes it, but I notice how her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s being polite—gracious even—but there’s none of the warmth she usually shows to strangers.
“And that must be Finn,” Emma says, looking toward where the boy is still absorbed in the dog. “He’s adorable.”
“Thank you,” Claire says cautiously, still eyeing Emma. “He’s a good boy.”
“I’m sure he is.” Emma turns to me. “I didn’t know you’d be here. Leo mentioned you’ve been staying at a hotel for a bit.”
The emphasis on the last part makes my jaw tighten and I can feel Claire’s stare. Of course Leo mentioned it. Which means Valentina told Leo. Which means everyone in both families probably knows Valentina and I are fighting, and I have no one to blame for that except myself.
“Just temporarily,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Of course.” Emma glances at Claire again, her expression unreadable. “Well, I don’t want to interrupt your afternoon. I just wanted to say hi to my favorite cousin.”
Claire smiles. “You’re not interrupting at all. Actually—” She glances at her watch then toward the playground, looking like she’s just realized something. “I should probably get Finn home soon anyway. It’s almost his naptime.”
My brow furrows. Nap time? Finn is eight years old.
Eight year olds don’t take naps.
What the hell is Claire talking about?
Claire stands, smoothing her dress, and calls across the path. “Finn! Time to go, sweetheart.”
Finn looks up from the dog with a pout. He says something to the dog’s owner, pats the retriever one more time, then trots over. Claire takes his hand.
“It was nice meeting you, Emma,” Claire says before turning to me, smiling. “Same time tomorrow?”
“I’ll let you know,” I say carefully.
Claire’s smile falters slightly, but she recovers quickly. “Of course. Talk to you soon.”
She leaves with Finn and I watch her go.
Claire looks back once, giving me a little wave, but something about the gesture feels calculated.
Emma sits down on the bench beside me, adjusting the stroller so Seraphina is in the shade.
“So,” she says quietly. “That’s her.”
“Yes,” I respond. “That’s her.”
We sit in silence for a moment. I can feel Emma studying me, probably cataloging all the ways I look like shit.
“Valentina sent you,” I finally say.
Emma shakes her head. “No, she didn’t. I came because I wanted to see for myself what the hell is going on with you.”
“I’m handling it.” I fix Emma with a sharp look. “And how did you even know I was here?”
The smirk Emma gives me is so Connor-like, I almost do a double take. “I have my sources,” she says evasively. Her smirk turns into a frown. “And you’re not handling anything. You’re wallowing in guilt and making terrible decisions that are hurting my best friend.”
My hands clench. I don’t need this shit. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” Emma turns to face me fully. “Cillian, I’ve known you my whole life. I’ve watched you follow Dad’s orders without question. I’ve seen you do horrible things in the name of family loyalty. But I’ve never seen you be stupid.”
