Devil's Claim: A Dark Mafia Romance (Devil's Syndicate Book 2), page 19
“A tragic story,” he said. I heard the anger in his tone and noticed the clenching of his fists. “What about Malcolm? Did you know he was Skyler’s son?”
“Yes, I did. It’s not like he can hide from the fact. His parents own half of Miami given the number of successful jewelry stores. I wasn’t naïve enough to think he wasn’t talking to them, but at that point, it had been years since I’d even spoken to my father. My mother called a couple times, and I sensed she was worried about me. Malcolm was sweet and loving at first. He acted like he wanted no part of his father’s company. Maybe I was naïve thinking that love could conquer all. I’m forced to live with that every day, but I won’t allow Maverick to be subjected to that kind of life. He deserves so much better.”
Kruz inched closer, never blinking, a scowl on his face as his eyes searched mine. “Did he try and get you to reconcile with your parents?”
“Yes. But not right away. Now that I know the truth, I can see he was trying to get me to call my dad. His gentle nagging almost worked. Now that I’ve had years to reflect, I realize the asshole should have gone into acting. He said my father was hurting, at least according to his father, was missing me and sorry for how he’d acted.” I looked him directly in the eyes. “My gut told me something was off, which was another reason why I broke off the relationship with him. He was just playing me as well. The marriage was never going to happen. He was hired to get me back in the fold and when I cut ties, he lost his gravy train. The stupid asshole went through money like water. My guess is he needed the cash flow.”
“Blood money,” he growled.
I nodded, rubbing my eyes. Unbelievable.
“My guess is whatever they had planned was more complicated than that. Perhaps we’ll never know every detail, but it obviously involves the business between Jamal Fassi, Skyler Worthington, and your father. Since Fassi has been underground until recently, it’s possible whatever plan they had in motion was put on hold. But I do think the night Fassi’s men found us likely had little to do with the fact I’d come into town and everything to do with you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Meaning, your friend Tonya was Fassi’s mistress. She was supposedly on her way to see you that night we met. Up until then, I had no idea you existed. The tip we were given led us to your apartment community.”
“Tonya was supposed to come over. She was bringing me something for the cake but had to bail out. I didn’t even think anything about it. So what is your point?”
“Malcolm took Maverick because he knew that on the night I met you, Fassi’s soldiers were going to kidnap you.”
My heart began thumping in my chest. “What? I don’t believe that. Are you telling me that my own father arranged to have me kidnapped?”
“That’s what it appears.”
I was close enough I reacted without thinking, lifting my arm to slap him hard across the face. He caught my hand, cocking his head.
“There’s no need for you to resort to violence. I’m not trying to hurt you.”
“That’s a terrible thing to accuse my father of. What are you trying to do?”
I turned away, immediately regretting taking my frustration out on Kruz. And why? Because my father had turned into a monster himself. I knew it very well: the emotional and verbal abuse, the ability to derail my life no matter what I was trying to do. All of it.
Kruz said nothing and didn’t retaliate, but I could feel the electricity increasing, crackling like a live wire between us.
“Protect you as I promised.”
His words were heartfelt. There’d been one too many clues, one too many ideas that I’d ignored. Kruz was right. A part of me had known the truth all along.
“My father had me fired from my teaching job. He wanted me desperate. He wanted no issue with his own grandson, so he paid Malcolm to take a child the man didn’t even want. My God. Oh, my God.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder, and I fell back against him. A single tear slipped past my lashes. I had no idea what to do or how to deal with the emotional rollercoaster.
Only that I wasn’t going to allow my father to derail my life as I’d allowed him to do before. If he was behind the fake relationship and bullshit with my job, the man was going to pay.
“Do you know you’re an angel to a man long considered a devil, a saint to the sinner inside of me?”
I almost laughed hearing his words. “I didn’t know a woman could be a saint.”
“You can be anything you want, Christine. Anything in the world.”
The timbre of his voice was different, the deep baritone crackling with animosity as well as sorrow.
“What time do we leave?” I asked, determined not to shed another single tear. What I had learned from my father was that you had to fight fire with fire. I needed a bigger weapon and I knew exactly where to get one.
“Thirty minutes. Bring Maverick with you.”
“You’re certain he’ll be safe?” I took a step away, turning to face him once more.
“He’ll be safe. I promise you.”
I nodded, hoping I could trust him. “Draw up the contract. I’ll agree to stay married to you for two years. If we agree after that period to continue, we’ll make needed changes.”
His eyes opened wide. “Fair enough. I’ll contact my attorney.”
“That will work.” My legs ached as I turned to walk from the room.
How was any of this possible? My life had been mostly a lie.
What was I getting myself into?
Not a marriage of love. But maybe that was okay after all.
“Christine. You asked why I killed Malcolm. It had nothing to do with his threat to me, which he did do.”
“Then what was it?”
“It was because he threatened you. As long as I’m alive, any man who threatens you or Maverick will die a slow and painful death.”
For a crazy, toxic reason, his answer was not only satisfactory.
It thrilled me to death.
CHAPTER 21
“The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” —Oscar Wilde
Christine
The quote was appropriate.
And terrifying.
What was the saying about making a deal with the devil?
Hadn’t someone said haggling with him was necessary? Maybe that was truthful, although right now with the number of thoughts running through my mind, I wasn’t entirely positive.
Although that’s what I’d done. I’d counteroffered my position to the rugged and dangerous devil.
How long before my soul was bartered off in front of a raging fire?
Unwanted emotions had kept me awake almost all night long, my stomach churning from the number of knots. I wanted to pretend nothing made sense and that I was experiencing another nightmare, but the nagging voice in the back of my mind prevented me from fooling myself.
Again.
Worse than the aspect of haggling was the thought, however minuscule, that Kruz might actually care about me. Up until now, I’d been certain all he cared about was power, his reputation, and control. Even money seemed to be a distant second. What should that tell me about the man? Enough to know I should do my best to back out of the almost deal I’d made.
Yet I knew that wasn’t possible.
Just when I wanted to back out of my decision, I reminded myself that I was entering into the agreement to ruin my father. And perhaps Malcolm’s father as well. I’d yet to hear the specifics of what Kruz and the men he worked for had in mind for dealing with this Fassi person, but as long as it exposed my father for the monster he was, I’d help in any way possible.
“Where are we going, Mommy?”
Maverick’s voice held more seriousness than usual. He’d asked me twice where we were and I honestly hadn’t managed to figure out what to tell him. He didn’t know his grandparents and I wasn’t about to burst that bubble. He’d never been to another country, so that wasn’t helpful. I’d still need to deal with what to say to him about his father when he eventually asked.
“To visit a friend of Kruz’s. Isn’t that right?” I asked as I turned my attention to the man sitting next to me. As with the night before, we were being chauffeured to the heart of Barcelona. That’s all I’d gotten out of the man. He’d gone quiet again, constantly checking his phone as if waiting for important information. I was still reeling from the first words out of the man’s mouth when I’d ventured out of my room hoping for coffee.
Still, his cool demeanor was unnerving.
Which I expected would last for hours, although I had no idea if he’d babysit me during the day. He’d insisted I bring Maverick, obviously refusing any babysitting duties. I could only imagine how well having a three-year-old child in an office environment would go over. But at this point, I was thankful to have my little man by my side. Especially since I had no clue what I was getting in the middle of or how much danger we were in.
But now I knew nothing in life was a coincidence, although fate had intervened, keeping me from being shipped off to God knows where.
The deal still felt raw in my mind, tiny tidbits of information eating at my brain cells. I seemed calmer than I felt, but my nerves were on edge. This felt like a job interview with a company I knew nothing about and dangerous elements as the employee base.
I pressed my hand against my mouth to keep from laughing. What the hell was I saying? I’d been shipped off to another country. Okay, yes, by agreement, but what was the difference? Weren’t we just playing a game? A vicious one, yes, but still a game.
The main difference between this and a game of chess was that lives were at stake. Including mine. The ugly reminder made my skin crawl. I scratched my arm absently, almost immediately realizing Kruz was watching me twitch.
When he reached over, taking my hand into his, I almost pulled it free, but Maverick noticed everything. The last thing I wanted was a barrage of questions from an almost four-year-old with the determination of an ox.
“We’re visiting a member of the family,” Kruz answered, squeezing my hand then releasing. I’d give the man a B+ for trying to make his dark and brooding voice soft and comforting, exactly what a child needed.
Maverick looked up at Kruz with huge eyes but said nothing. I knew confusion when I saw it. That didn’t mean the questions were stopping permanently. They were merely on a temporary hold.
“How about once we’re finished, we get some ice cream?” Kruz continued and Maverick’s eyes lit up like he was the kid being told he could soon have his favorite treat. I liked this side of the man, the one who tried so hard to give my little boy some joy.
“Yay!” The news excited Maverick. With his claps and giggles, I wasn’t certain if I’d be able to calm him down.
I leaned over, trying to keep my whispered words under the radar. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I don’t intend to.”
A darkness fell across Kruz’s face just before he looked away. He was a looming shadow that should terrify me and I was wishing for something beautiful shared between us.
No fantasies, girl. No fairytales. This is just business. Keep your eye on the ball.
The reminder was what I needed and would continue doing until it stuck with me. This was just an arrangement, albeit a very lucrative one.
Only a few minutes later, the driver approached a beautiful skyscraper, heading underground to what I assumed was a garage. The all-glass building was glistening in the sun. People were everywhere on the beautiful day, couples arm in arm strolling down the sidewalk while businessmen and women pushed them aside, hurrying along as if late for an important meeting.
The lump in my throat tasted like bile and there were hordes of angry butterflies in my stomach.
I was right, the chauffeur driving beneath the building, going slowly underground. It fell as if we were heading into a cave. When he finally slowed, he found a vacant spot with a sign I assumed indicated private parking. I guess I’d need to brush up on my language skills.
“Did you bring your coloring books?” I asked Maverick as soon as the driver got out.
“Forgot.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. I almost said the word out loud.
“Don’t worry. He won’t need them,” Kruz said.
“Trust me. We really want him to be entertained.” I kept a plucky smile on my face, but the tension was mounting. Everything was still too fresh in my mind to be relaxed.
He laughed. “You’re going to need to trust me.”
“Hmm… A scary proposition.” What did the man have up his sleeve? He came around and opened the door, taking Maverick by the hand. The small gestures got to me. They really did.
Maverick was well behaved, staying right between us as Kruz led us to a private elevator. When he whipped out a keycard, I smirked.
“Do I get one of those?”
He laughed. “We’ll see if you can behave long enough.”
“That’s not very nice,” I said as I moved into the small enclosure.
“I never said I was nice. Did I?”
“No, you did not.” The door closed behind us and I took enough scattered breaths that Kruz lifted his eyebrow as he looked in my direction. “I’m fine. Just perfect.”
He laughed. “Stop worrying. Genevieve only bites her husband.”
“Jago. Right?”
“Yes.”
“Who else should I be warned about?”
“I doubt you’ll have a chance to meet Navarro today. Watch out for him. He does bite.”
“Great. Biting men.” I closed my eyes. “One more thing about the contract.”
“Why did I have a feeling you’d say that?”
There went the snort again. I didn’t bother pressing my fingers against my mouth. I had a feeling he needed to get used to the sound. “I want fifty-fifty. A complete partnership.” You bet I was stretching, my goals lofty, but no pain, no gain. Right? I had nothing to lose at this point.
“Meaning what exactly?”
I chose my words carefully. “Meaning the businesses we share together. We talk about everything. No secrets. Money is split. I help make decisions.” Hearing myself talk was a clear indication I was winging it.
He didn’t react at first and I thought he wasn’t going to at all. The ping of the elevator was somewhat unnerving, but the slow turn of his head left my skin prickling.
His arm was thrust against the door, ushering Maverick out first. I gave him a casual look before stepping out. His black suit and dark gray shirt highlighted his ominous presence, a reminder that the man ate weakness and self-doubt for breakfast. Enemies were lunch.
I didn’t want to find out what was on the dinner menu.
Just in time, Maverick began chattering away to no one and anyone who would listen to him, which allowed Kruz to turn toward me. “Fifty-fifty. An interesting proposition. As you might imagine, I’ll need to think about the additional terms, my sweet Christine.”
This time as the syllables of my name dripped off his tongue, I shivered. Desire was wrapped around every word, but there was something else.
A silent warning.
Not to me, but for me.
“Understood, but I need to tell you something.” I moved closer to him so Maverick wouldn’t overhear. “I’m angry. Very angry. My father was going to sell me off like cattle. I hate the man for what he did to me and to my mother. I want him destroyed and I will be a part of helping make that happen. Whether you like it or not.”
The way he sucked in his breath was as if he was going to tell me no way. But his eyes flickered with something entirely different. Respect. “Then you’ll have your revenge, my sweet Christine. That I promise you.”
He took me by the arm, leading me away from the elevator. As soon as he made a turn, a set of glass doors appeared. The bold red wall in the reception area caught my attention first, the dazzling artwork that crossed between depicting horrific acts of violence and the throes of intense passion stunning me.
Couples were woven in a strange dance, naked bodies wound in vivid color, blood splashed against the floor. The depiction was passionate and stark, the glint of steel adding to the element of danger.
Wow.
What kind of business chose something so provocative while greeting their guests and clients?
When we were led inside, I blinked and took another look. Kruz followed my gaze, creating the guttural sounds of amusement I’d come to know and loathe.
“Tell me what you see, Christine.”
Either my brain was playing tricks on me or seeing the pictures feet away instead of yards presented an entirely different representation.
Nothing but bold colors carefully plotted out on a massive canvas. The selection had been done on purpose. Interesting.
I blinked several times, certain there was a cerebral crack somewhere. “Nothing. It’s lovely.”
“Did you see a stunning couple in a display of intense affection while standing in a pool of blood, marveling at the massacre presented as a gift?”
His voice was startling, his tone different than I was used to. “You see it that way too?”
“Yes. What do the experts say? It’s all in the eyes of the beholder.”
What did that say about me? I continued to stare at it even as Kruz said something to the woman behind the desk.
“Wait right here. I’ll be right back.” Kruz turned toward me, rubbing his knuckle across my face. “Teme sólo aquello que no puedes visualizar.”
“What did you say to me?”
“I said, fear only what you cannot visualize, and you have an insight unlike anyone I’ve ever met. There is no reason for you to find a need to be afraid. Besides, everyone knows that you belong to me.”
