Page 34 of Devil's Claim

“I didn’t expect you to show,” he said, obviously gloating.

Christine glared at him.

“You did tell her we were together. Didn’t you, Tonya baby?” he asked.

Tonya shrugged. “I’ve been so busy lately.”

“Why would I miss my best friend’s engagement party, Malcolm?” Christine’s voice was shaking.

It was all I could do not to kill the man where he stood.

He flitted his eyes in my direction. If I wasn’t mistaken, he also recognized me. That was easy to tell by his clenched jaw. Who the hell was Malcolm in relation to Fassi and his men?

“I know this is a party, but we’re face to face and you’re a difficult woman to track down. Waitressing must be a difficult job. Have you received notification from my attorneys?” he asked.

I took a step toward him, but Christine pushed me back.

“What notification?” Her teeth were gritted. “About the final custody hearing?”

“Tonya. Get him out of here,” Chloe hissed.

Tonya pursed her lips. “This is your party. I’m so sorry. Malcolm was supposed to be away on business. I’m so sorry, Christine,” Tonya cooed. “Be nice, Malcolm. This is a celebration.” Her eyes were twinkling. The entire conversation had been rehearsed.

The woman was an even better actress than Malcolm, twisted as fuck.

“My darling, this is a free country and we’re no longer together,” he said, laughing.

That was it. I crowded his space in front of her, fisting my hand, but I stopped myself. “I suggest you let it go.”

“Who the fuck are you?” he hissed.

“No, Kruz. I want to hear this. What else have you done, Malcolm? You’ve already taken everything from me.” Christine moved around me, getting in his face. “But I will fight you in court.”

Several of the guests were paying close attention.

This had all the markings of being a setup at Christine’s expense.

“No, you won’t. You had your chance. As with everything else, you fucked up. You didn’t appear on court on Tuesday, so the judge ruled in my favor. The custody has been finalized. Maverick belongs to me. Now he won’t be forced to grow up with a conniving bitch such as yourself. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I allow you to see your son again.”

Chloe sucked in her breath, reaching to grip her friend’s arm. “You asshole.”

I took a deep breath, unbuttoning my jacket. If he thought he’d be allowed to get away with something so underhanded, he was wrong. Dead wrong.

“What? How could you do that?” Christine whispered, her entire body shaking.

“You bastard,” Chloe snapped. “Get him out of here, Tonya. Right now!”

The shock and horror could be weighed easily.

Christine launched herself at him, grabbing a fistful of his shirt. “No, Chloe. This is my fight.” She turned her full attention and hatred toward Malcolm. “You fucking bastard. You railroaded me. I wasn’t provided with notification of the hearing and you know it. You had that shady attorney of yours bypass justice. You did that on purpose. I will have him disbarred and make certain everyone you do business with knows what kind of lying slug you are.”

“I most certainly did not do anything against the law, and I wouldn’t threaten me if I were you. But it’s just as well. You’re anunfit mother. I thought you were someone else, but here I find out you’re nothing but a tramp.”

She cracked her hand across his face and at that point I’d had enough. “You fucking son of a bitch. You will not take my son.”

When he dared lift his arm as if he was going to strike back, I snapped my hand around his wrist, bending it at an awkward angle.

“I suggest you reconsider your actions, Mr. Worthington. I doubt the guests would enjoy having blood sprayed all over their gaudy clothes. Now, do you? You have three seconds to think about it.”