Page 56 of Devil's Claim

What now? A walk in Disney World?

I folded my arms, glaring at him. If he wasn’t going to do any talking, I’d be happy to monopolize the conversation. “What did you do, hunt down other people at the party and kill them? Maybe steal a few jewels along the way? Fancy cars?”

Why was it that every time we had a spat, he remained calm and collected while I was going off the rails?

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

There was movement behind me, but I refused to look, staring into Kruz’s eyes instead.

“Calm down,” he finally told me.

“How can I calm down? You’ve worked very hard to destroy my life. I think I have every right to be a bit disturbed.”

I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye but refused the urge to look. Maybe he’d stopped along the way from one killing to another and purchased me flowers. Wouldn’t that be a kick? Here, honey. A rose for every man killed tonight just for you.

I rolled my eyes.

“I told you that everything was going to be alright,” he said, his voice way too soothing.

“Yes, and you also told me you were a monster. At least one truth.”

He sighed and took my arms.

I jerked away.

He cocked his head, giving me a stern look. When he rubbed his hand down from my shoulder to my arm, I flinched, but at the same time my pussy began to throb.

“Christine. Breathe for me. Just breathe.”

I was about to launch into him again when another movement caught my eye. This time, something stilled deep within me and I turned my head.

Until the night before, I’d never really been prone to many outbursts, no matter what Kruz likely thought at this point. I’d also rarely allowed myself to cry, also until recently. But almost immediately tears began to flow, sobs ready to shatter my record.

In a bundle of covers in Benito’s arms was my son.

Gasping, I felt my knees buckling and would have fallen to the floor if Kruz hadn’t caught me from behind.

“I told you to breathe,” he whispered in my ear.

“You’ve told me many things,” I managed. “How?”

Maverick was asleep, his sweet cherub face peeking out at me through the opening in the bundle. Benito’s face was practically beaming and he took a cautious step closer.

“I did what the courts should have done.”

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to block out all the whispered thoughts of what that meant. I just didn’t want to know. Before I could take a step, Maverick shifted in the man’s arms, his little hand suddenly appearing.

Benito pulled the cover down and my boy’s second favorite stuffed animal was in his arms. That’s when I lost it, my tears blinding me.

So I wouldn’t wake him, I turned toward Kruz, allowing the powerful man to gather me into his arms where I sobbed against his shirt for at least two full minutes.

He allowed me to cry, his gentle hold of my head more soothing than should be allowed. I drank in his masculinity like a lifeline.

When the racking sobs finally stopped, I pulled away. Kruz gently lifted my chin with a single finger, brushing tears away with his thumb.

“I want the best for you, Christine. I hope you can believe that.”

I only had energy to nod. Thank you, I mouthed and rose onto my tiptoes, pressing a kiss against his cheek. He held me there, pulling me against him. He was so warm, his body so inviting.It was wrong to want him the way I did, but I couldn’t help the strong feelings or ignore the sweeping sensations.

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