Page 50 of Devil's Claim

My captive.

Maybe I was out of my fucking mind, but what choice did I have?

I’d felt moved by her story, but maybe not in the way a normal man would feel. Had I wanted to comfort her? Yes, but a larger percentage of me had wanted to do exactly what I’d already decided.

Kill the bastard.

Christine continued to insist I’d been lying to her, but quite the opposite. I’d said as little as possible to try to maintain her innocence.

Maybe I was a fucking fool.

“Yes, she’s trouble,” I answered. It had been a fucking long day with nothing going as I’d planned. Since arriving everythinghad seemed cursed. “Is the plane ready?” I asked, but with the exhaustion settling in, my tone held a definitive demand.

“Yes, sir. On standby.”

“Good.” I turned my head, staring at the lights as Carlos drove. The decision I’d made would more than just complicate things. Even in Barcelona where I could at least control conditions, the element of danger would be increased. Could it be handled?

Yes, unless Christine decided to give me trouble.

“Are you sure you want to do this, boss? If you prefer, Carlos and I will deal with it while you get settled in the jet.”

“Thank you, Benito, but this has become a personal matter.” I had options of course, including leaving without doing a goddamn thing, but in my mind that wasn’t acceptable. Plus, Christine deserved better.

Jago would tell me I was thinking with my dick. Maybe so, but my dick hadn’t been wet in a long time and certainly not the way it had been earlier in the day. Which now seemed like a lifetime ago.

Spanking her felt far too damn good. And cathartic. At least for my blackened soul. Seeing her glistening pussy lips had almost had me fucking her right there. I would have experienced zero remorse either. I curled my fingers and brought them to my nose, inhaling her sweet scent.

There was nothing better than the fragrance of her femininity.

I shouldn’t continue to think of her as anything but what was required at this point.

She was my captive, at least until I could figure out what the hell to do with her.

A flash of something she’d told me forced me to lift my head. “Benito. I need you to chase down something for me.”

“Of course, boss. What do you need?” He immediately yanked his cellphone into his hand, no doubt flipping through screens until he found the notes application. I had to give the man credit. He was one of the few I knew working inside a cartel who didn’t rely on their mental capacity when taking complicated commands.

He also knew his way around a computer, including discovering information few could manage. In my opinion, the man was underutilized. His talents exceeded gutting enemies.

“Find out everything you can about Christine’s family. It’s possible she changed her last name, but since she’s a teacher by profession, I’m certain you’ll be able to track it down.” I’d do so myself, except I had a feeling I’d been extremely busy after returning to Spain.

“I’ll see what I can find. Anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“I’m curious if they have any ties to Malcolm Worthington. Or to Jamal Fassi.”

“Wow. That’s a bit of a stretch.” He twisted his big body so I could see his grin.

“Nothing can be ruled out.” There was a reason Malcolm had wanted her in his life. Was bringing a child into the world too complicated for him? Or was it someone convinced him an heirwould provide more wealth? I’d seen and heard of arrangements such as what I was thinking dozens of times.

That didn’t make them right.

Although…

Crazy thoughts drifted through my mind. Insane ones. The kind of thinking that I’d ordinarily laugh at. But more insane ideas had kept me from being shot to death on more than one occasion.

For now, I’d keep the idea fresh while handling the situation requiring my full attention.

The questions were formidable, but at least a justification for taking Christine with me.