Page 109 of Devil's Claim

I returned to a standing position, tousling his hair. “You need to say with your mom so you can bring her sunshine even on a cloudy day.”

Maverick scrunched up his face but finally nodded.

“Hey, Mav. Why don’t you head into the kitchen? I think Martina has some breakfast waiting. Then we’ll need to leave.”

“Otay, Mommy.”

She watched as he raced from the room at full speed before looking down at the picture. From where I stood, I could see tears in her eyes.

“Are you alright?” I asked, moving closer.

“I’m fine. It’s just still settling in my baby is with me.” She was gripping the phone tightly.

“Where he belongs.” I brushed my fingers down her arm. “I programmed my number into the phone. Call me if anything happens. As far as anyone else…”

Christine wrinkled her nose. “I’m not a fool.”

“No, you are not.”

“They’ll be looking for me, the police I mean. You know they will.”

“What did I tell you about being safe here?”

When she turned her head, finally gazing into my eyes, I could see just how shattered she remained. For all her bravado, she wasn’t used to being on the wrong side of the law.

Hopefully, she’d never reach that point.

“One day you won’t be around to protect me. On that day, I’ll die just a little bit more inside.”

I cupped her face, emotions running high. “Don’t worry, baby. I have no intention of leaving you alone for long. As long as everything goes according to plans, I’ll be back late tomorrow night.”

“You better.” She gripped my shirt, arching her back. “You just better.” After rising onto her tiptoes, she lightly kissed my cheek.

That wasn’t nearly good enough. I crushed my lips against hers, savoring the first taste as I did every time. Our relationship was tenuous at best, our passion the glue holding us together, but there were fleeting moments of real and very raw emotion.

And not just with the woman I’d coerced into being my wife.

I thrust my tongue inside, holding the moment of intimacy for as long as possible.

The sound of Benito clearing his throat was an irritation neither one of us wanted. When we both took a step back, Christine sighed and looked away.

“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Blanco, but the plane is on standby.” Benito remained in the doorway.

“I’ll be right there.” When he left the room, I brushed my thumb across her lip. “Tomorrow night I’ll return. I’ll try and call or maybe Facetime you tonight.”

“You do Facetime?” she teased.

“You might be surprised what I can do.”

“No, I don’t think I would be any longer.”

I laughed and pulled away, fearing if I didn’t at that moment I wouldn’t go. Meeting with a savage or shackling a woman to my bed. I certainly knew the obvious preference. Too bad I had a job.

As I headed to the door, a wave of tension settled in. We were living in a house of cards. I’d felt that way for several days. At some point, it would come tumbling down.

“Kruz. Don’t make me hunt you down. I will.”

Laughing, I stopped long enough to give her another hard gaze. “Trust me. I believe you.”

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