Page 98 of Devil's Claim

We’d be seen out of the house together.

And something aboutmefollowinghisrules.

Which I’d promptly marked through.

The business section was far less damning in my mind. At least he had made notations about a trust fund for Maverick. The brat in me had upped the monthly amount.

I finished making the changes, hating the fact my hands were shaking when I slid the paperwork back in his direction.

He immediately reached for it and our fingers collided. Instantly, a shot of sizable current rushed through me. We could both feel it. I could tell by the way his chest rose and fell. Suddenly, my mouth was dry and if I’d been standing, my body would be swaying. I tried to act nonchalant in easing my hand into my lap while my heart was still fluttering. Why did he have this kind of effect on me? I hated it.

He took his sweet time reading over the contract, long enough the waiter refilled my wineglass and brought Kruz another drink. When he snagged the Mont Blanc he’d lent me, scribbling notes himself, I had a feeling I was teetering on the edge of madness.

I was this close to signing away my soul. Through the ordeal, he was still in full control.

We both knew it.

He had a different smirk on his face as he pushed the paperwork to my side of the table.

“I’ve made one addition. It’s a make it or break it deal.”

“Meaning if I don’t agree, the contract is null and void?”

“Yes.”

He had a way of being extremely dramatic even when issuing a single word. It was the look on his face, the utter unmistakable need for control that was most unnerving.

As I found his handwriting, I glanced at the addition and instantly, the cold chill continuously coursing through my veins turned to molten lava flowing in every part of my body.

I read it a second time, sitting back and reaching for my wine. Whoever had called alcohol liquid courage should have made the alcohol content higher. I was scared to death. On one hand, if I agreed, I could be quickly considered a wealthy woman, especially since he’d upped the severance to one million dollars if I stayed married to him for two years.

If I refused, there’d be no reason for me to stay for longer than his attempt at keeping me safe. What did I have to go back to in Miami? Nothing.

Yet in agreeing, I would be tied to him forever, even if we did divorce.

Kruz extended his arm, the pen in his fingers. “What’s it going to be, Christine? Do we have an agreement?”

After a few seconds, I took the pen from his hand, twisting the fat surface in my shaking fingers until the metal felt comfortable.He flipped the page to where I was supposed to sign and I studied his signature.

Elegant. Just like the man.

The man I was supposed to marry.

My business partner.

My lover.

My tormentor.

And the man who would become the father of my second child.

“Your answer, Christine. Will you become my wife and honor the terms of the contract?”

With barely a whisper left in my throat, I answered him.

By way of scribbling my signature.

The devil had just won. Now he owned my body and my soul.