Page 47 of Devil's Claim

That truly made me a terrible person.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to call anyone, Christine. At least not right now. Perhaps later. However, the bride to be made it out safely.”

“My guess is you’re lying like you’ve been about everything else,” I said with a clipped tone. That was the best I could do. I turned and walked away, trying to hold it together. Yet as soon as I walked into the bedroom, I was forced to lean against the wall hoping the wallboard would manage to hold me up.

A single tear formed in my eyes and I was furious with myself for succumbing to despair. That wasn’t like me. Yes, it had been an emotional night, something I’d remember in my later years… fondly. At least that made me laugh. Bitterly. I managed to grab a robe from the bathroom hook and tied a knot in the sash. The man wasn’t going to touch me again.

Ever.

I quickly washed my face and arms, fighting the sobs building in my chest. I’d never be able to get rid of the memory of what I’d seen.

I folded my arms and backed away from my haunted reflection.

As I left my bedroom, I stared at the closed door to my son’s room. My little boy. My sweet Maverick. The ache to hold him in my arms and to hear his adorable laughter was the worst one of all. Living without him wasn’t acceptable. But at this point, what choice did I have?

I was no longer in charge of my life. I felt that all the way to my bones.

I’d risked everything and lost so much in a huge effort to finally feel free. To be happy.

This was the furthest from happiness I’d ever been.

When I walked back into the living room, I realized how little my tiny apartment felt like mine any longer. Now there were two men working for Kruz inside. Even in tailored suits, neither one could hide the fact they were brutal men. That left one other soldier outside canvassing the area. Maybe he was looking for another victim in whatever war they were waging.

Kruz stiffened only seconds later, slowly turning his head in my direction. There was some dark humor in the fact every time he lowered his gaze when looking at me, a series of shudders coursed through me. I was obviously being punished for some horrible deed done in a past life.

I slid against the wall as I moved into the kitchen, trying to remain as far away from the savages as possible.

Only Kruz had no intention of allowing me even a few minutes of peace. He crowded my space within seconds.

“I don’t want you here,” I started, finding it more difficult to look into his eyes than I thought. Maybe I wasn’t such a tough girl after all.

“As I said before, you have no choice, but I can assure you that everything will be alright.”

“Why don’t you try and tell me just how it’s going to be alright? Seriously. You’ve destroyed my world and I don’t see any bright spots.”

He sighed. Not just an ordinary sigh, but one indicating he was growing weary of my antics and outbursts. Well, so was I. “Ihave a few things to accomplish in the next couple of hours. You should pack.”

“Pack? Why?”

“Because there are some very bad men who know you’re with me.”

“Ha,” I snorted. “I’m not with you, Kruz. Not under any circumstances. Where in God’s name do you think you’re going to take me, some fancy hotel?”

“Barcelona.”

He issued the single word as if an order sent from God himself. I knew I was staring at him, unable to blink or even move.

“Spain,” I croaked out.

“Spain.”

“Um… Did you forget I have a life here?”

His chuckle was as annoying as everything else about him. “Did you forget your life was just changed two hours ago?”

“Because of you.”

“Because of circumstances beyond my control.”

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