Page 76 of Devil's Claim

Benito was waiting in the living room when I walked in, immediately scratching his head.

“What? Just say it, Benito.”

“All I was going to say is that I’ve never seen you eat at McDonald’s before.”

“Maybe it’ll become a new habit.” The joy on Maverick’s face had been a happy, simple experience.

“Was the food delicious?”

I snorted. “Surprisingly yes.” I wasn’t lying.

“Maybe I’ll try it next time. How many soldiers do you want around the house?”

As I walked to the bar, I thought about his question. “Three, but make certain their weapons are completely concealed and remind them never to leave their guns unattended.”

“Sure, boss. They are normally pretty good about that. Why the reminder?”

Grabbing a rocks glass, I poured a hefty amount of whiskey. “Because we have a young child in the house. Accidents can happen.”

“Right. Gotcha. I’ll remind them. Anything else you need?”

“That should do it for tonight. I have some furniture deliveries coming tomorrow. Check the men thoroughly before they’re allowed inside the house.”

“Furniture?”

“You’re full of questions tonight, Benito.” I gave him a hard look as soon as I turned around.

He backed away, immediately looking anywhere else but at my annoyed face. “I’m not used to seeing you like this.”

“Like what?”

He shrugged.

“Fucking say it, Benito. It’s been a long day.”

“You’re just different. I mean since you’ve been around Ms. Callahan.”

Different. I wasn’t certain whether to take that as a compliment, so I left it alone. There was no reason to pick a fight. After all, he was correct. In the few hours she’d been inside my world completely, I’d felt different. The future was nothing like I’d plotted out years before.

Not that I knew what that meant.

“I meant no disrespect,” he added. When I became unusually quiet, he knew I was angry.

“Christine’s parents,” I stated. “Make it a priority to learn everything you can about them.”

“Why the rush?”

“Just covering all the bases. Besides, I’m sure Jago wants you back at his house. I want to utilize your expertise prior to you returning to your regular duties.”

“Actually, he told me I was best served by being your lieutenant. He said I needed to protect your new family at all costs. And I will.”

Family.

Jesus. The term was being tossed around far too easily now that Jago was married. Soon, he’d have more than one kid on the way. What then?

With the responsibilities increasing based on the high volume of business the last few months and our attention to diversification, additional soldiers had been needed. Ranks had been shifted, promotions given.

Hell, Morales-Torres Enterprises was becoming dangerously close to turning legit. I softly laughed to myself and swallowed a shot of whiskey. The stories I could tell about the good old days of walking the streets at all hours of the night, collecting fees from businesses and individuals, breaking bones and crushing dreams in the process. We’d advanced to running every drug operation, our methods of interrogation turning to acts of torture. Even the simplest of exterminations had been bloody.