Page 114 of Devil's Claim

CHAPTER 28

Christine

Mirrors could be cruel or kind.

Reflections told no lies.

Christine Callahan no longer stared back at me. Gone was her signature long, fiery red hair that taken her years to grow out. It had been replaced with a stylish haircut, the length just past my shoulders, lightly feathered on the sides with thick bangs. Even the color was different, more a deep copper, the vivid hue highlighting green eyes that could only be changed with contacts. I’d put my foot down there.

The look was different, adding a sophisticated touch that up to this point hadn’t mattered to me. The change was recommended for two reasons, one being able to hide in plain sight if anyone from the United States was looking for me. The other was all about appearing knowledgeable in a field still heavily dominated by men.

With the dark pantsuit and blood-red lips, I looked ready to annihilate a Fortune 500 company. The thought brought a smile and I blew a kiss at myself. I’d never thought I was pretty, partially because my father had made snide comments about my appearance my entire life. Well, I had to wonder if my father would recognize me now.

As I headed from the bathroom, I studied the flurry of activity. The catering company was putting the final touches on our little soiree being offered to the three men from the county here to sign off on the first occupancy permit.

I studied the beautiful space, the lighting spectacular and perfect for accentuating sparkling jewels. The walls were muted shades adding warmth while the fixtures themselves were modern and sleek, providing ample opportunity for customers to see the products while being protected behind bulletproof glass. Even the artwork and plush furniture worked perfectly with the store’s design. I was no expert, but it seemed Genevieve had outdone herself.

The only thing missing were the diamonds.

I walked closer to the front, checking my watch, the very expensive watch. To the tune of almost one hundred thousand American dollars. From the time my father had started making money, he’d purchased my mother pricey watches. Why the hell had Kruz bought it for me? While exquisite, I’d never had or wanted anything so expensive.

“Stop fidgeting,” Genevieve told me. “You look incredible and tonight will be a breeze.”

“Why is it every time I hear something like that, the opposite usually happens?”

She laughed and headed toward the selection of fancy canapes. The entire scene reminded me of the parties my mother had thrown when I was a teenager. By then, we were living in a big house with a small staff that catered to my parents’ whims. “Stop.”

“I mean it. I feel like I’m going to throw up in my mouth a little bit.”

“Don’t do that. It’s a short meeting. Within forty-eight hours, everything will be approved and the property deeded. This is merely a formality.” I knew her well enough after spending almost a week working with her that her eyes told no lies.

She was also nervous, but for a different reason than feeling out of place like I did. What hadn’t she told me?

The two soldiers that stood watching everything like hawks on steroids were also antsy, although I’d gathered being on edge was in their job descriptions. They were huge, rarely saying anything, but I had a feeling they could easily beat anyone to death with their bare hands. Forget the lethal weapons.

The one man I did like was her commander, Emiliano Sanchez, who stood off to the side. He acted more fatherly than anything, although he also worked with and for Jago so his presence was on and off. Tonight, he was on guard, making certain we were both protected, his viewpoint allowing him to see the comings and goings on the busy Barcelona street. The funny thing was that he was beaming for Genevieve. I could see it. Even the brooding man couldn’t hide his emotions.

Like Kruz could do. Sure, he’d gotten much better at bantering with me, even laughing, although not often. Rarely now did he stare at me as if I had green skin and antennas for ears. Yet hisexpressions were almost blank. Only his dazzling eyes gave any indication he was angry or frustrated, his two favorite emotions.

“The store is incredible,” I told her.

“Come here. I want to show you something.” She moved toward the back of the first group of counters. As she reached down, I sensed she was unlocking one of the drawers. When she pulled out a huge tray holding rings, brooches, diamond watches, bracelets, and necklaces all in an artistic display, I was floored.

“My God. These are stunning.”

“Aren’t they? When this entire diamond thing started, I drew some rough sketches of designs and had a jeweler friend of mine create them first in cubic zirconium, then in priceless diamonds.”

I lifted a single eyebrow as I looked at her. “Didn’t you tell me this all came about a couple weeks ago?”

She shrugged and tossed her long hair over her shoulder, her smile full of mischief. “Maybe I’ve been planning this since Jago captured the millions of dollars’ worth of the finest diamonds in the world.”

“You’re incorrigible. You didn’t keep any of the dazzling baubles. Did you?”

The sly woman smiled as she held up her wrist. The diamond bracelet she wore was incredible. “Shush. Maybe one or two. Honest. That’s all. Here. I thought you might want to see this one.”

She pointed to a ring that was bedazzled under the 5000 Kelvin bulbs. The sparkle was almost blinding. “Beautiful.”

“Try it on.”

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