Page 20 of Devil's Claim

Leaving the glass on the counter, she finally walked away.

But not before shooting me a scathing glare.

Once she’d disappeared, I shook my head.

What in the fuck had I gotten myself involved in?

The scent of sex remained in the air, enough of a draw I gritted my teeth. She deserved to enjoy her life, not just suffer through it. At least through tomorrow, the two of us could pretend and I could shower her with a few necessities.

A win-win if you asked me.

All for an introduction and nothing more.

I headed to the back door, carefully pulling the blinds aside so I could look outside. After a few minutes of scanning the area, I determined the enemy soldiers had likely given up for the night. How they’d learned of my arrival into the country was something I’d need to ascertain, but at this point, the best thing to do was to follow through with the new plan.

No matter how unconventional it was.

After checking the locks on the windows and doors, I wandered down the hall. She’d done as I asked, the bedroom door partially cracked. A slight glow indicated she’d left a light on. I pushed open the door and slipped inside.

She’d wasted no time getting into bed. The light came from the adjoining bathroom. She was turned on her side, the covers allthe way up to her shoulders. While there was a perfect rhythm to her breathing, my instinct told me she was still awake. Just standing by the side of the bed was troublesome. I curled my fingers instead of ripping down the covers and crawling in bedside her.

The desires were so damn odd.

Where she was forced to live was old, every building needing extensive repair. I could only imagine what most looked like inside. Even with the obvious money challenges, she’d done everything in her power to make every room homey. Paint in different hues had successfully covered up cracks in the wall. The ugly yellowing switch plates had been replaced with soft white ones. While she used bolder colors in the living room and kitchen, including an accent wall, her bedroom was soft and feminine: light purple walls with a deeper colored comforter. Everything was neat and tidy, not a single thing out of place.

I backed away, not bothering to check for weapons. She wasn’t that kind of girl, although when I left permanently, I’d make certain she had a way of protecting herself. There were far too many evil assholes in the world intent on harm.

A smile curled across my lips as I returned to the hallway. There was a second bathroom and another room, the door closed. At least I’d do my job and ensure I shouldn’t expect a roommate to break up our lovely party any time soon.

Additional complications I didn’t need.

But that’s what I found when I opened the door, flicking on the light switch on the wall.

A knot formed in my stomach as I stepped in further, fighting to process what I was seeing.

This was a little boy’s room.

Racecar bed.

Blue paint on the walls splashed with colorful art murals. A Spiderman comforter.

A bookshelf only half filled with children’s books.

A kaleidoscope on the ceiling.

Stuffed toys and trucks neatly placed against one wall.

The room was filled with love.

Sighing, I moved to the boy’s bed, sitting down and exhaling.

Yes, this complicated things significantly.

I was many things, most of them monstrous. What I’d refused to become was the kind of man who’d ever consider hurting a woman or child. There were enough violent pricks with God complexes destroying families. I knew that all too well.

Her boy wasn’t with her.

She’d sacrificed for him, yet he wasn’t with her. The sadness in her eyes. The hatred lingering just below the surface.

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