Page 65 of Devil's Claim

We’d simply moved from the plane to one of three SUVs, several men taking our things and loading them into a second. The third had led the way through a mostly rural area, although I’d seenglimpses of the city itself during the ride. Kruz had encouraged me to sleep on the plane while he’d made a few phone calls and worked on his laptop.

Yet we’d barely spoken.

There’d been delicious food and an assortment of drinks on the plane, even cookies, which had made Maverick happy. Thankfully, he’d slept for several hours after I’d read him a story. I’d been wide awake, watching everything Kruz had done.

He’d been distraught the entire flight, constantly staring out the window next to him. But I’d caught him looking at me a dozen times if not more. He was obviously trying to figure out why he’d brought me with him and what he was going to do with me.

“Will we see Superman?” Maverick’s question was presented with a giggle. The little monster was making a joke.

“You never know.” Although I doubted Kruz was interested in doing anything with my son. He’d been so standoffish; he’d been kind, but had certainly kept his distance.

But I would forever be grateful he’d brought my son back to me.

We’d been stuck inside a house that I assumed was Kruz’s home. He’d whisked us through a gated entrance, the driver of the SUV meandering down a long, curved driveway to a house nestled in dozens of large trees. The home itself was deceiving; the beautifully accented Mediterranean exterior appearing quaint, but inside, the expansive floorplan and the fact the home was nestled against a hillside allowed for several thousand square feet.

While there was a beautifully maintained lawn surrounding the main house, a pathway through the trees allowed for anincredible view of the ocean. So far, my favorite aspect of the house was the incredible stone arches surrounding an open-air porch covering the entire length of the back. I’d ventured outside long enough to drink in the salty air. Everything was so peaceful, completely unlike Miami.

I’d been inside amazing luxury homes in Miami, but every one of them had been austere, showroom quality while completely devoid of comfort. Not Kruz’s home. However, there was no sign of life.

There wasn’t a single plant on the inside, although there were several unique shrubs and palm trees surrounding the pool. There were no books lying around or magazines or mail left on the kitchen counter.

The only instruction Kruz had left before stating he was leaving for a meeting was to stay inside the house until he returned. He’d mentioned a housekeeper, but the two times I’d seen her, or she’d caught me watching her, she’d scurried away without saying anything.

I wasn’t certain about the entertainment system either. I’d been forced to become creative in trying to entertain my little man. While my singing skills were subpar, we’d gone through every Disney movie theme song I knew any of the words to. I’d made some up when I’d had no clue.

Thank God, I’d brought crayons and coloring books with me. That had kept him from being bored for two hours. But now, he was getting hungry.

Where the hell was Kruz?

I was getting angry. No, he didn’t need to entertain me all the time, but I did need to learn a few things. Like where were wesleeping? Maverick had napped on the couch and I’d been able to toss a throw positioned across the back of one of several couches, but that wasn’t good enough.

Wasn’t there some code book for kidnappers that they had to supply necessities?

There’s one problem with your theory. You went willingly with him.

Oh, there was that.

I’d agreed during a time of weakness. Nothing more.

I’d allowed my sweet boy to take over the coffee table in the living room. Crayons of every color were spread over the glass surface, four coloring books with half-finished pictures just waiting for Maverick’s splash of creativity.

He was hunkered down, his brow furrowed in concentration. Meanwhile, his mother was pacing the floor, fuming while doing so. The asshole had better get home soon or else.

Home.

This wasn’t my home.

Maybe one of the men standing guard like Dobermans would know what time I could expect him. “I’ll be right back, baby. Don’t touch anything.”

“Mommy. Hungry.”

Shit. I’d need to spruce up my culinary skills after I figured out how to turn on the complicated range. I doubted a man like Kruz would have peanut butter and jelly with Wonder Bread. “I know, baby. We’ll figure something out.” The kid was going to be a linebacker one day if his food consumption was any indication.

Maverick’s concentration was such that carrying on a conversation was out of the question. For right now, I was thankful for the reprieve. I had no more songs or stories left in me. I took long strides from the room, looking right then left before remembering where the front door was.

I loathed the fact I’d been in a daze for hours. And it had nothing to do with Kruz’s prowess or good looks. Not this time.

There was a security system control by the door, but I didn’t bother to look if it was armed. Maybe if bells and whistles went off and Kruz had one of those fancy applications on his phone, he’d be alerted someone was trying to break in.

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