Page 121 of Devil's Claim

“We had a bad meeting with the officials,” she said. “I think it was my fault.”

“Nothing was your fault!”

Genevieve suddenly appeared in the frame. “She can’t get it through her head, Kruz. She doesn’t understand our world just yet. You have no idea what this woman did. She’s tough, Kruz. An incredible addition to the team.”

I almost lashed out at her, but nothing was Genevieve’s fault either. We’d simply let our guards down too much, which had allowed Fassi and his fucking clan to have an advantage. “Why couldn’t they be controlled?”

“They were,” Christine jumped in. “You should have seen them when I told them we were engaged.” When she swept her fingers through her hair, I noticed the ring on her finger.

An engagement ring.

I sat back in the seat, feeling the oppressive wave of several emotions that wasn’t common or even wanted. Yet they were uncontrolled around her, a beautiful flower just awakening to spring. Something changed within me at that moment, the intensity of how I felt about her both incredible and damning.

“We fought back,” Christine said while once again not looking directly into the screen. “I was driving.” Her laugh created another dull ache. She was fidgeting, her breathing shallow.

There was no reason to ask why she’d been placed in that position. It was obvious they’d been outnumbered.

“I’m fine, Kruz. Really. I am.” She offered me a smile, but there was such sadness in her eyes the moment was overwhelming. “Jago wants to say something.”

“I’m leaving tonight. I’ll be home as soon as possible. They’re bringing Maverick to you. Just rest and take care of your little boy.”

“I will. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Promise me you won’t.”

While I offered a smile in return, all I had on my mind was hunting and killing. “I promise.”

She acted as if she was going to say something else, but shook her head, doing nothing more than blowing me a kiss. That meant everything to me.

That also fueled the raging fire deep within.

I watched as she handed him the phone, Genevieve coaxing her to leave the room.

Jago lifted the phone, pacing the floor until we both heard the click of the door closing. “She’s okay. I called the doctor. From what Genevieve told me, Christine acted like a soldier.”

“I don’t want her to be a goddamn soldier!”

He laughed. “I don’t think you have a choice. That woman is strong. What happened tonight?”

“Fassi had been sighted in Mexico. I saved your cousin’s life. He owes us both. Another ambush.”

“Were you the target or Eduardo?”

“Your cousin.”

Jago nodded and rubbed his jaw. “Fuck. Fassi is attempting to destroy anything and anyone connected to us. I have soldiers combing the streets. By the time you arrive, we’ll know who carried out the hit on our women.”

I pulled the phone even closer. “Make sure you do because once they’re found, they will not survive. That includes the goddamn inspectors.”

“No, they will not. We’ll find them. And when we do, this city will learn what happens to anyone who tries to fuck with our families.”

CHAPTER 30

Kruz

Boom!

The explosion would be seen from several miles away. Fire licked at the roof, whooshing high into the sky while embers floated softly toward the earth. The men inside hadn’t stood a chance at survival.

I’d made certain of it.