Page 74 of Devil's Claim

“Loaded.”

“Yes. Generally, a necessity if I’m attacked.”

She licked her lips and I was drawn to the action, the same stir in my groin making me uncomfortable. “And you always have guards outside on your property?”

“Only three or four at a time.”

“Also carrying guns just like they’re doing right now. Right?”

Where was she going with this? “It’s better to be safe than sorry, Christine. I’m certain that’s something you can understand.”

“And the man walking behind us.”

“What man?” I asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable with her line of questioning.

“You know exactly what man I’m talking about. The one who was basically roughed up and sent walking by one of your guards. Do you always keep a wide berth from every other human being if you think they’ll do you some harm?”

I almost laughed. She was quite observant. Benito had reacted as required, quietly telling the man to walk on the other side of the street. Unfortunately, the unwanted visitor had been perturbed, which had required a little more manhandling. By then, both she and Maverick had gone inside the toy store.

“Call it my protective mode.”

“Ah. Of course,” she mused, her pert nose flaring.

“Meaning?”

When Maverick murmured, she peered down at him. “He stopped sucking his thumb a few months ago. Now, he’s doing it again. He only does so when he’s scared.”

I glanced at the boy, immediately concerned I’d done something to terrify him. I wasn’t a kid-friendly man, but I certainly had done everything in my power to make his night enjoyable.

“That’s what happened every time he spent time with his father.”

“I’m sorry.” What else was there to say?

“The scar on your chest.”

A bad memory flowed through my mind. A crossroad I hadn’t seen coming. “What about it?”

“Where did it come from? Knife play with your mistress? An enemy who captured you, torturing you until you gave up pertinent information?”

“Why is it so important?’

She looked me directly in the eyes, her lips pursed. “Because I’d like to know what to expect. If I consider such a ridiculous offer.”

“Jago.” It was a blip in time best not remembered, a necessary evil and part of the game. Or at least that’s what I’d tried to convince myself.

“What do you mean?” She crowded closer, concern licking the features on her face. “Are you talking about the man you work for?”

“Yes. We had a disagreement a long time ago.”

“Because of a terse conversation, he cut you with a knife? Who in God’s name does that?”

I laughed. “I disrespected him.”

Now she recoiled, sliding Maverick as far away from me as possible.

“It’s not catching, Christine.”

“You made it seem like this Jago person is your friend. Friends don’t purposely use a knife on another friend. That’s not the way it works.”