Page 77 of Devil's Claim

Done on purpose just to keep the peace.

And to prove our worth.

I’d been called a twisted fuck more than once during the years Jago and I had controlled Barcelona. I’d enjoyed almost every moment of the brutal time. Would I want to go through it again? Fuck, up until a week ago I would have said in a heartbeat.

Now?

I shook my head and looked away. Yeah, I was very different than even a week ago, something that should concern me. “Fine. I’ll hold you to that. Take off for the night, Benito. We’ll talk about some changes needed in the morning. But I need to learn everything there is to know about Christine and her family. Any close friends or business associates as well.”

“I’ll call in a few favors if necessary.”

I nodded before I spoke, thinking about how I could make the transition easier. There was no chance I could keep Christine and her son protected twenty-four hours a day. First of all, she wouldn’t allow me to shadow her. Second, doing so wasn’t practical for business. “Okay, good. Incidentally, the guest quarters on the back of the property. I want you to take a look at the building tomorrow to ensure the infrastructure is adequate. There are two bedrooms. Two bathrooms. A full kitchen. I’ll want round the clock guards, and they’ll need some accommodations.”

He seemed caught off guard. The damn guest house had never been used. Who the hell did I have come for a visit? I reminded myself that the changes were necessary.

“Yes, sir. I’ll make the arrangements and change schedules.” He headed out just as Christine was walking in.

Her expression hadn’t softened. If anything, she appeared angrier than before. Perhaps because I’d also taken it upon myself to invade the privacy with her son. At some point, she’d need to get used to it.

I was now a mainstay in her life.

“You wanted to see me?” she asked.

“I thought we should talk away from Maverick. Is he asleep?”

“Yes, just waiting for the boogeyman.”

I resisted the bait she so charmingly tossed out. Perhaps she’d figured out how easily she could get under my skin. “I’m glad he’s resting.”

“What did you do to Malcolm?” she pressed, dark eyebrows slanting into a frown as she wrinkled her nose.

“You only need to know he won’t be bothering you any longer.” While I appreciated her desire to learn the truth, she’d soon learn pushing for grueling details would never be in her best interest. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.” Very curt. Very unemotional. At least she walked closer. “What do you need?”

“Have you made a decision on our business arrangement?”

Her exhale was forced. “Not yet.”

“I’ll expect one in the morning.”

“Of course you will. Mr. Impatient along with everything else.”

The more time went by, the more I craved forcing her to surrender.

“I’m certain you’d like to know about the sleep arrangements so you can get some rest.”

Christine bristled, her lips pursing in a way that highlighted her freckles. She took the time to fold her arms across her chest before responding. “Fine. What are they?”

“You have the bedroom next to Maverick. In the several deliveries coming tomorrow is also a baby monitor. I thought that might provide you with some ease and comfort.”

“Alright. Yes, it would.” She eyed me warily as if waiting for the flipside to my offer.

“Tomorrow you’re going to travel with me to the Morales-Torres corporate headquarters. Genevieve Morales, or Torres, is married to the man who runs the combination of operations.”

“You mean the drug lord, the man who thought teaching a lesson should be done so with a knife.”

She’d been doing her homework. “We’re growing and changing as many businesses do.”