Page 61 of Devil's Claim

“I would never find myself in that position,” he insisted.

I threw a look at Jago who answered for both of us. “One day, you’ll eat those words, my friend. The greatest aspect of living has little to do with money and power.”

“Fuck,” Navarro hissed. “That’s where we choose to disagree. Money is everything, power the icing on the cake. And blood? The sweetest wine.”

“You are one sick man,” I told him. “However, I have a suggestion.”

“You always do,” Jago chortled as he headed toward the bar. “What is it?”

“Why not expand our business operations?” I’d been thinking about it for a couple of days.

“I’m listening.”

I yanked off my sunglasses, winking at Navarro who was less than amused. “Why not get into precious jewels?”

Jago lifted his head, ice cubes in his hand. “You sound like Genevieve. Has she been whispering in your ear?”

I didn’t answer. She hadn’t, although I’d suspected she’d been eager to engage in other business operations for months.

“You’re serious,” Jago scoffed. “We offloaded hundreds of millions of dollars of freaking diamonds because we didn’t want to get into the world of precious jewels, which is what we’re really talking about here. That is one brutal business.”

Navarro snorted. “You used to chase the most dangerous business possibilities. Now, you’re running away from them? Fuck. I will never have a family.”

“Think about it,” I offered. “By using Genevieve’s company?—”

“Our company,” Jago corrected.

I waved my hand. “Whatever you say. Run the business through the corporation. This consulting work is bullshit and Genevieve is determined to remain right by your side, however bloody the endeavor, which you obviously don’t want.”

“No, I don’t,” he admitted.

“Whoa. Hold on here.” Hearing Genevieve’s voice from behind brought a smile to my face. She was one formidable woman. In her hand was a brightly colored package that she placed on one of the tables.

“You’re home, darling. Early too,” Jago teased.

She strolled toward him, giving both Navarro and me what I considered her signature look.

The bitch mode.

Jago had certainly met his match.

“I had business to handle outside the office. Meanwhile, I see what you were doing.” She slapped him on the butt and took the drink from his hand, tossing back a hefty gulp. “Did someone mention diamonds?”

Jago visibly cringed. “We don’t need to get in the middle of another business operation. We have enough to deal with.”

“We don’t have enough legitimate businesses. The accountant is having a fit and as your attorney, I’ve advised you dozens of times we need to diversify.”

“She’s tough,” I told him. “Besides, we don’t need to get into it hot and heavy, just enough that our presence at the Diamond Exchange is acceptable.”

“You mean the Diamond Dealers Club,” Genevieve countered. “That will be tough since part of the qualifications is that you must have been in the business for a minimum of two years.”

Jago yanked off her sunglasses and his, fisting her hair and pulling back her head. Growling, he crushed his lips over hers.

The man was a showman and it drove me crazy. “Records can be altered. And… there’s always the concept of greasing a few palms. As we all agree, greed is a powerful incentive.” My words forced Jago to shake his head.

Jago leaned toward Genevieve, the two sharing a look between them.

“Jesus Christ,” Navarro hissed. “Do we need to see this shit?”

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