Page 138 of Devil's Claim

Including killing. As he rubbed his fingers across my skin where he’d kissed my hand, I rose onto my tiptoes, daring to break free of the staunch professional mode by kissing him on the cheek.

I’ll be damned if the man didn’t blush. “Nice try, but you’ll be pissed if Fassi doesn’t show.”

“Absolutely, but we’ll continue the hunt.” His jaw was clenched. If the brutal Moroccan didn’t make an appearance, the hunt would include Kruz leaving for days or weeks at a time. I’d already been warned. “For as long as it takes to capture him.”

I twisted my ring, thinking about the vows I’d taken with the man. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Only days before, I’d convinced myself I was entering into a contract with the devil. Now I knew Kruz was more like my salvation, someone who cared for and believed in me.

Was I being a little overly dramatic? Honestly? I didn’t think so.

Briefly, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to remember what it felt like to whisper the words to the man who’d captured more than just my desire. The vows shouldn’t have meant as much as they did, but I felt them burning as deeply inside as I did the continued passion.

Genevieve shook her head as she approached. Then she threw her arms around me. “How did you do it?”

“Do what?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“What did my bride do?” Kruz stepped in.

Genevieve wafted her hand across her face. “This incredible woman proctored a deal with fucking Western Australia.”

Kruz and Jago looked at each other, then over to Navarro who shrugged.

“Men,” I teased.

“Western Australia and the Argyle mine have the finest quality pink diamonds in the world. We are talking one hundred times what a white diamond is worth. Up until now, not a single exporter has wanted to do business with the Diamond Exchange. Gentlemen, we will make six times if not more what we do with our other businesses. How did you do it?”

Fake yawning, I halfway shook my head. “I bedazzled them with my talent.” I’d never been so excited. I’d spent hours over four different phone calls convincing them we were the right fit. I hadn’t expected they would agree.

She squeezed my hand. “An amazing connection. We’ll talk about how we want to handle this later.”

Kruz lifted an eyebrow. “You have many talents.”

“And you’ll never know them all.”

“Just remember you’ll need to make time to be at home.”

His husky voice resonated deep within.

I glanced at my watch, the bejeweled piece rarely off my arm. Just then, the double doors were opened.

“Show time,” Kruz whispered in my ear before nipping my earlobe.

“What if this doesn’t go as planned?”

“Stop worrying. Like I told you. Have your day in court.”

“What are you up to?”

“Not telling you a word, my lovely wife.”

“Uh-huh. You’re not the only person with a hold on acts of revenge.”

Jago and Genevieve moved arm in arm toward the door, Genevieve even blowing me a kiss like the naughty woman she was.

Navarro moved beside us, the two hulking men like statues of virtue. All the while concealing several weapons.

Others moved into the large room. At least four hundred chairs had been arranged in a ballroom-style location. With two thousand members, it was easy to tell no one took the membership lightly.

Just as Kruz placed his hand on the small of my back, two men approached, both of whom I recognized. I’d played out this scenario at least a dozen times in the last twenty-four hoursalone. All the years I’d hidden the anger, forcing myself to return to living while suffering inside teetered just under the surface.