Page 87 of Devil's Claim

I was right, the chauffeur driving beneath the building, going slowly underground. It fell as if we were heading into a cave. When he finally slowed, he found a vacant spot with a sign I assumed indicated private parking. I guess I’d need to brush up on my language skills.

“Did you bring your coloring books?” I asked Maverick as soon as the driver got out.

“Forgot.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. I almost said the word out loud.

“Don’t worry. He won’t need them,” Kruz said.

“Trust me. We really want him to be entertained.” I kept a plucky smile on my face, but the tension was mounting. Everything was still too fresh in my mind to be relaxed.

He laughed. “You’re going to need to trust me.”

“Hmm… A scary proposition.” What did the man have up his sleeve? He came around and opened the door, taking Maverick by the hand. The small gestures got to me. They really did.

Maverick was well behaved, staying right between us as Kruz led us to a private elevator. When he whipped out a keycard, I smirked.

“Do I get one of those?”

He laughed. “We’ll see if you can behave long enough.”

“That’s not very nice,” I said as I moved into the small enclosure.

“I never said I was nice. Did I?”

“No, you did not.” The door closed behind us and I took enough scattered breaths that Kruz lifted his eyebrow as he looked in my direction. “I’m fine. Just perfect.”

He laughed. “Stop worrying. Genevieve only bites her husband.”

“Jago. Right?”

“Yes.”

“Who else should I be warned about?”

“I doubt you’ll have a chance to meet Navarro today. Watch out for him. He does bite.”

“Great. Biting men.” I closed my eyes. “One more thing about the contract.”

“Why did I have a feeling you’d say that?”

There went the snort again. I didn’t bother pressing my fingers against my mouth. I had a feeling he needed to get used to the sound. “I want fifty-fifty. A complete partnership.” You bet I wasstretching, my goals lofty, but no pain, no gain. Right? I had nothing to lose at this point.

“Meaning what exactly?”

I chose my words carefully. “Meaning the businesses we share together. We talk about everything. No secrets. Money is split. I help make decisions.” Hearing myself talk was a clear indication I was winging it.

He didn’t react at first and I thought he wasn’t going to at all. The ping of the elevator was somewhat unnerving, but the slow turn of his head left my skin prickling.

His arm was thrust against the door, ushering Maverick out first. I gave him a casual look before stepping out. His black suit and dark gray shirt highlighted his ominous presence, a reminder that the man ate weakness and self-doubt for breakfast. Enemies were lunch.

I didn’t want to find out what was on the dinner menu.

Just in time, Maverick began chattering away to no one and anyone who would listen to him, which allowed Kruz to turn toward me. “Fifty-fifty. An interesting proposition. As you might imagine, I’ll need to think about the additional terms, mysweetChristine.”

This time as the syllables of my name dripped off his tongue, I shivered. Desire was wrapped around every word, but there was something else.

A silent warning.

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