Page 107 of Devil's Claim

Not a chance.

“You’re many things, my wife to be, but fake isn’t one of them. You tell it like it is. Always. Much to my frustration.”

“I do like to keep you on your toes. Is the outfit to provide a killer look? Literally?” She pointed her long finger down to my boots.

Chuckling, I hadn’t thought about how attire made me appear. “Maybe you’re right, but Eduardo’s world is quite different than mine.”

“More brutal.”

“You could say that. The man is… Let’s just say he’s stuck in the old ways.”

“What you hear on the news. Mutilations and torture. Body parts found in trunks and oil barrels. People missing. Including tourists and public officials.”

A visible chill drifted through her. “Something like that.” I backed away long enough to snatch a box from the bookshelf. “I have something for you.”

She looked at me skeptically as I handed her the long black box. “What’s this?”

Chuckling, I rubbed my index finger across her hand. “I guess you’ll need to open it.”

Christine frowned, but pulled the red ribbon, slowly opening the lid. At least her eyes lit up when she noticed the watch. “Wow. This is beautiful.”

“Every woman needs a spectacular watch to provide her with an indication of the right moment to toss an unwanted guest from her office.”

Her head snapped up and she burst into laughter. “Is that what you do?”

“I don’t need a watch to tell me that. Let me put it on for you.”

“You don’t need to buy me anything, Kruz. The contract is signed.”

The odd pang as she made the statement surprised me. “I’m allowed to buy my fiancée a present, aren’t I?”

“As long as you don’t expect something in return.”

Her teasing attitude had returned, but I noticed sadness in her eyes even as she adjusted the watch on her wrist.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She nodded in return. “I don’t like you leaving. Not now.”

“Trust me, my sweet treat. I don’t want to leave, but it’s my job. We have a large shipment being held up by the Mexican police. I need to talk some sense into them.” I was certainly more than prepared to hand them a warning they’d never forget. In my mind, Eduardo should have already done that. He was holding something back. I’d warned Jago that if I walked into a setup, his cousin could end up learning exactly the kind of dictator I’d become.

“You do have a suit with you. Correct?” Her smile returned, but the continued worry remained in her eyes.

“Yes, I have a suit.”

I hated when she sighed, the joy leaving her eyes. In the two days since we’d come to an agreement on the contract, I’d seen real happiness in her eyes for the first time. We’d been normal. Whatever the hell that meant. When Maverick’s furniture had been delivered, the little boy had giggled for hours. Christine had spent time with him getting his room fixed up with all the new toys. They’d even had a little picnic on his bed.

Who was I to interfere?

But now, the haunted look in her eyes pushed a stake through my heart. If I had one.

“Good, because even though your big bad wolf routine isn’t bad, you do best as a sophisticated killer.”

“Very funny.”

“I’m being deadly serious.” Her initial smile faded. “Did you know the first jewelry store will open in a few days?”

“I’d heard Genevieve has been working tirelessly trying to work through some issues with officials. I had no idea she managed to convince the old codgers to budge.”