Page 101 of Devil's Claim

Her scowl was preceded by a flash of her eyes. Even that didn’t break the lascivious thoughts. The possessiveness I felt was stronger than ever before, a dangerous weakness I’d need to control.

As she walked away, I held my breath, bristling since every man in the room was watching her with every desire I felt.

Fuck them.

If they dared touch her, they would learn how to survive with only one hand.

I returned to my seat, already thinking about the trip to Mexico, doing so in an attempt to keep her in a tidy box in my mind. If I wasn’t careful, I’d need to padlock the closure to keep from losing control on aspects of business.

Carlos noticed she’d walked away and headed in my direction, immediately gesturing to see if I wanted him to follow her. I shook my head. She was already on the edge of emotions that could create issues between us. Growing up with a man like Thomas Callahan had obviously instilled a distrust of all men.

For that, I couldn’t blame her.

If half of what she told me was true, the bastard deserved to have his nuts cut off and fed to him as certain rules regarding the treatment of women were explained to him. Only I wouldn’t stop there. There was nothing worse than a man who abused a woman.

But to do it to family was the greatest sin of all.

Carlos returned to his perch near the exit, paying close attention to who came and went. While I didn’t expect any trouble tonight, I wasn’t going to skip methods of security under any circumstances. There was too much at stake.

Heading to Mexico at this point was risky, but necessary. I’d need to put the fear of God into the police before they were stupid enough to destroy the merchandise. Jago and his cousinwere correct. I was the only man for the job. Anyone else would go in like a bulldozer and start World War Three. Not what we needed, especially right now. Still, the timing bothered me. I’d need to remain vigilant during the twenty-four hours I’d allotted on the ground.

Trusting Eduardo wasn’t something I could do.

I tapped my fingers on the table with one hand as I grabbed my whiskey with the other. Morals. She’d tossed out morals to me as a test. That much was easy to see. Fine. I’d honor her request and give her some time. Perhaps until I returned from Mexico. But after that, she would honor the terms of the contract.

My thoughts had drifted for a minute, maybe two when I realized she’d yet to return to the table. I concentrated my gaze on the corridor leading to the bathrooms, thankful I had clear shot of the area. When I glanced at my watch, I realized she’d been gone for at least seven minutes. While a line was possible, I’d already shifted to the edge of my seat.

If she was kidnapped, the war would be started, only I’d be the one to burn everything to the ground.

Another minute passed and I was already on my feet. What the hell was taking so long?

Carlos immediately stiffened, unbuttoning his jacket as I’d done with mine. As I took long strides toward the restrooms, I waved him off. That last thing I needed tonight was to create a bloodbath unless absolutely necessary.

As soon as I turned down the corridor, my blood boiled. An unknown man had stopped Christine. The fucker was touching her, trailing his finger down her arm as he crowded her space against the wall. As if he was allowed. As if she belonged to him.

A low rumble sounded in my throat, the beast inside of me roaring to life.

Without thinking, I had my hand around the man’s neck, tossing him against the opposite wall. I shifted my hand, grabbing his throat, squeezing as his eyes opened wide. At least he had the good sense to throw out his arms.

“No la toques. Ella es mía.”

You do not touch her. She is mine.

The words rolled off my tongue, the rage increasing by nothing more than the look in his eyes.

“Kruz. Stop it. Just stop!” Christine hissed. “He wasn’t doing anything.”

“He was touching you.” I dug my fingers into his skin. His face was already red, the gurgling sounds only heightening the need to snap his neck.

“No,” she hissed, grabbing my arm. “I ran into him. I wasn’t paying attention. He was trying to make certain I was alright.”

Hearing her words and the vehemence in them snapped me from my murderous spell.

Snarling, I glared into the man’s eyes, taking several deep breaths. Fortunately for him, sanity returned, but with one wrong move, I’d snap his neck.

“Kruz. Please.”

Her tone softened and I finally released my hold, flexing then curling my fingers into a fist. The unknown man needed to understand I held his life in my hands. Everything aboutChristine was magnetic, pulling me into a moment of pure insanity where nothing else mattered but her.

---