Page 90 of Devil's Claim

“You’re a damn bad liar, Kruz. Christ. Let me guess. You have a guest who doesn’t take to following your rules.”

Now he was grinning.

Huffing, I looked away.

“Or is it the fact Genevieve might be a tiny bit like her?”

“Fuck you.”

“Said like a man worried he’ll be emasculated.”

“Like I said. Fuck you.”

His laugh continued. “Have some coffee. It’s obvious you need caffeine.”

“Maybe I need a drink.”

“It’s nine-thirty in the morning. You’re late.”

“I had a long night. And a kid in the house.”

He sat down in his chair, leaning back and kicking his feet up on the edge of the desk. “I just bet you had a long night and I do find it difficult to think about you with a child anywhere close. How are things in domestic bliss?”

“Christine wants to be an equal partner.”

“In the marriage? Most women do. We’re no longer living in the caveman days.”

“In the business. All of it.”

He’d just started to take a sip of his coffee and coughed. But when he lifted his head, the damn grin he had returned. “You do have your hands full.”

“What are you doing here anyway? Don’t you have orders to fill, people to kill?”

“Very funny. I just wanted to drop by and make certain everything is still in working order. You know how Genevieve can be. Bossy bitch.”

“You said it. Not me.”

“Keep that in mind,” he growled.

I hated when he was in a good mood. He was unusually annoying and that was the last thing I needed today. Fifty percent. “She doesn’t even know what we do.”

“From what you’ve told me, my guess is she’s highly intelligent and can figure it out on her own. Do you think she’s serious?”

My thoughts drifted briefly. “I do.”

“Then you have a decision or five to make. The work together can be fascinating, but only if she understands that her life will be in constant danger.”

“As if it already isn’t.”

“You asked her to marry you. Right? I knew that’s what you were going to do.”

“I merely suggested an arrangement would be beneficial in keeping her safe.”

He tilted his head, one eyebrow lifting. “Like I said. A fucking bad liar. I can’t wait to meet this girl.” He acted as if he was going to stand.

“I wouldn’t do that. Your wife made it perfectly clear she wanted time alone with Christine.”

“Ouch. Just look out. By the end of the afternoon, Christine might be vice president. Then you’ll be in trouble.”

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