Page 92 of Devil's Claim

Jago laughed. “Yes, you should have. It’s a goldmine actually. Or maybe I should say a diamond mine.”

“You’re hilarious today.”

“And you’re a pain in the ass. We should utilize Christine’s knowledge. Unless you think that will push her over the edge.”

“She has knowledge, but no expertise.”

His look made me roll my eyes. “For God’s sake, Kruz. We own half the government. We have access to professionals who forge credentials. Don’t you think we can embellish Christine’s resume enough to make her hiring plausible to idiots from the New York Diamond Club and beyond?”

My teeth were firmly gritted. “People are smarter than you give them credit for.”

“Maybe so, but we don’t need to play the game but for so long. We create credentials in her married name. We secure an audience in the Diamond Club. We determine a way to corner Fassi. We take him out. It’s that simple.”

He waited for my reaction. I merely glared at him.

Meanwhile, his smile remained.

“Fassi is hungry. He wants retaliation. That means he’ll act on his emotions and not the evidence right there in his face. Besides, he’s aware she has knowledge. You know that. And what’s he going to do, tattle on the fact she’s not exactly who she purports herself to be? That would be shooting himself in the foot.”

He was right and I hated him for it. “Then we do it carefully.”

“Maybe we do need a drink. You care about this woman.”

“She’s… different.”

“Then we use her talents. We eliminate the dangers and move on. We’ll pay her well and you can enjoy her… attributes.”

A few seconds ticked by and he stared at me for a beat.

I rubbed my jaw. “She wants revenge on her father. She’s willing to do whatever it takes.”

“Including marrying the likes of you,” he teased.

My middle finger was in the air so fast he acted hurt. “I want her protected at all times.”

His grin widened to an actual smile. “And she will be. Let’s find out what Eduardo has to say.” He leaned forward toward his laptop, stopping short a few seconds later. “You know. I’ve never known you to worry to this degree. Trust in the system. This is perfect. I believe you’ve found your match, Kruz. A beautiful woman you can tame in bed while allowing her to be a wildcat in the dangerous world in which we live. Welcome to the club.”

“Fuck you.”

“So you’re telling me you of all people allowed several of your men, not just one but several, to betray you,” Jago accused.

I sat back, studying Eduardo’s reaction. He was slightly older, the wear and tear of brutal battles over the years taking a significant toll. I’d never been a fan of the man. But he was considered family and over the years, we’d successfully moved thousands of pounds of cocaine from Mexico into various countries without issue.

Until now.

Eduardo appeared even more haggard than normal, the lines crisscrossing his face a marker of things to come.

Including his overthrow.

That had been a concern for years as well, smaller and even more savage cartels making threats and destroying the man’s products on numerous occasions. I was surprised he was still standing.

“Don’t act like that can’t happen to you, cuz,” Eduardo said in response. “Or should I remind you that you were almost overthrown by a woman.”

Jago bristled and I grabbed the man’s attention briefly by shaking my head. Jago sighed in response.

“Maybe so, but our profits have increased by thirty-five percent over the last nine months. How about yours?” Of course we knew the answer. Eduardo was hurting, in need of capital, and the quickest way to provide assistance was by continuing to run product through him.

“Fine, Jago. What would you like me to do?” Eduardo asked, leaning forward in his leather chair.