Page 19 of Devil's Claim

“Why? You are kidding me. Right?”

“There are a few things I take very seriously, Christine. One of them is annihilating the enemy.”

“My friend?”

Chuckling, I brushed the tips of my fingers across her face. Now she chose to flinch. “The woman who treats you as her servant is nothing more than a cog in a wheel. However, she could potentially lead me to the man I’ve been searching for.”

Her frown was followed by a scowl before she shifted her gaze down to my boots. “Not dressed like that. I assume you don’t have a suit hiding in the outside bushes.”

“I’m afraid my trip abroad didn’t include social events.”

“Then while I go to work, I guess you’re going shopping.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”

“What exactly?”

“Go to work. However, from what you’ve told me, your experiences working there are unpleasant. I assure you I’ll make the time spent with me worth your while.”

“Whoa. Hold on.” She seemed incredulous. “Let me get this straight. You want to in a sense hire me to work with you to lure my pseudo friend—okay, a bitch, but still—into some compromising position.”

“Certainly not like what you and I have shared. I only need an indication of where the man she’s been dating could be hiding.”

“She dates like ten guys at one time. What’s this particular rich dude to you? And yes, she won’t date anyone who doesn’t have money and power.”

“Let’s just say he’s public enemy number one.”

Her look hardened, which created another wave of amusement. If she had any understanding of just how dangerous I was, it didn’t show in her expression.

“What if I don’t want to help you?”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to say no, Christine.”

“So, I am your prisoner.”

“Let’s just say we’re intimate compatriots in a war worth winning. Now, get some sleep.”

She studied me for a full minute before reaching for her phone. I placed my hand on hers.

“I’m afraid I’ll need to babysit your phone for tonight.”

“Of course you’d say that. You don’t trust me,” she spit out.

“Do you trust me?”

“I don’t know you, but the fact you continue to threaten me doesn’t exactly endear you to my heart.”

Her defiance was such a huge turn-on. “Understandable.” I really liked this girl. She had yet to hesitate to give me backtalk. That was an admirable trait in my position. Most women either feared me because of what I’d done to their mate or attempted to seduce me, neither of which was appealing in the least.

A part of me could see myself taking her with me when I returned to Barcelona. The thought was tempting, but impractical. As hardheaded as she’d shown herself to be, she’d never accept what my life or my business entailed. It wasn’t easy to be the main squeeze of a cartel dictator. Every day her life would be on the line.

Besides, I wasn’t romantic nor was I a hero, which I truly believed she needed. Whatever cards she’d been dealt in her life had taken more than just finances and a job she loved away from her.

She jerked her hand away, doing her best to keep from touching me again as she gulped the rest of her wine.

“Keep your bedroom door cracked, Christine.”

Huffing, she threw me an extremely hateful look. “Why, yes, sir, Mr. Bad Guy.”