Page 127 of Devil's Claim

Shifting, I moved toward the dresser, half laughing as I caught a glimpse of my reflection. Well, fuck. Now I knew why she wasreacting so badly. I looked like a fucking survivor of a slasher flick, blood staining my skin, my clothes ruined.

Plus, I smelled like a chimney stack. “I see your point.”

“Go take a shower. I’ll be right here when you finish.”

The softness of her tone had faded into sheer amusement, the laugh something I’d missed from being gone for just a couple of days. After winking, I headed for the bathroom.

Maybe there was something to be said for coming home, especially not to an empty house.

CHAPTER 31

Christine

He’d killed for me.

Not just killed but had annihilated dozens of men. No, not men, but enemy soldiers. Obviously, those attached to the people who’d attacked me and Genevieve. I wasn’t honestly certain how I felt about that.

Oh, who was I kidding?

I was thrilled the lengths he go to in order to keep me safe. I rubbed my hands together, my body still aching from the fight in the alley. Just blinking was a reminder of the dangerous world in which he lived.

Correction, one that I lived in with my son as well.

Kruz left the door to the bathroom partially open and I heard the sound of the water running. I touched my face, wincing more from feeling how swollen the side of my face remained than any pain.

It was obvious I’d been in limited shock, both before he’d arrived home from his trip and after he’d returned. I’d heard his soft, yet anger-filled voice as he’d comforted me. I’d told him I was perfectly fine, also pretending Mommy had been in an accident so Maverick wouldn’t ask too many questions.

All the while, my stomach had been in knots. I’d yet to eat anything other than a piece of toast. Even that had been tasteless. As I stood rooted to the same spot, I was fearful I’d fall into a titanic swell of emotions. I’d honestly thought I’d lose Kruz during the fight I’d known he was picking.

I’d underestimated his fury, but my gut had told me this was a turning point. For both of us. He hadn’t cared about his own safety. He’d only wanted to avenge my attack. I held my stomach, still trembling from before he’d walked into the room. Even covered in splattered blood, the man was the most gorgeous creature I’d ever laid eyes on.

Maybe it was time to accept the fact I was falling hard for him.

I moved closer to the bathroom, stopping long enough to stare down at the weapons. I could still see specks of blood on the knife’s hilt. The sight should make me afraid. It didn’t. Was it possible I was meant for this life, elated when enemies were cut down? A laugh bubbled to the surface. I honestly wasn’t certain.

As I started to move past the dresser, I stopped and was forced to grip the edge. I was swaying on my feet, a half dozen emotions tickling every nerve ending. The woman staring back at me wasn’t the woman I remembered. She was stronger somehow, yet more vulnerable. If that was even possible.

Maybe the vulnerability came from fearing I would lose my heart.

I turned to face the mirror and untied my sash, slowly allowing the silky material to fall from my shoulders. As the robe landed softly on the floor, I took a deep breath.

Christine Callahan no longer existed. Christine Collins was a fake.

Christine soon to be Blanco had been born in her place. As I headed for the bathroom, I raked my hands through my hair. Maybe the new me was acceptable after all.

He stood behind the frosted glass, his body in silhouette still managing to take my breath away. I was hesitant and wasn’t certain why. The sight of blood? Possibly. The worry he was injured and hadn’t told me? Most definitely. The man was as hardheaded as I was. When I opened the door, he didn’t seem to notice even as cold air wafted in.

Kruz stood with his palms against the granite wall, allowing water to cascade over his head and down his muscular body. The water pooling around his feet was a blush pink as the caked blood was washed away. I took tentative steps, not wanting to startle him.

The second electricity crackled between us, he spun around, using the full weight of his body to press me against the wall. Without any hesitation, he jerked one arm over my head and the other, wrapping fingers of one hand around both wrists.

“You should know better than to sneak up on a man like that,” he growled.

“I wasn’t sneaking.”

He lowered his head by a mere inch. “Then what were you doing?”

“Making certain you had enough towels.”

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