In a huff, I grabbed all the bags, struggling to hold every one of them and moved toward the door. Almost tripping, I used my foot to open the door and almost fell on my face as I lumbered toward the living room.

  The one called Carlos was in the room standing alongside Kruz and Andres. Where was the fourth sidekick? The one who looked a little like the Terminator? Who cared? I tried to act like I had everything under control as I moved toward Kruz.

  Who turned just in time for me to dump the clothes into his arms. “There.”

  With his massive arms, he had no trouble taking every last bag with no fear of dropping them.

  “I don’t want anything from you, certainly not money earned from killing people.” My voice was loud and proud, the latter from feeling my resolve returning.

  The two soldiers glanced at each other. Were they laughing at me? Oh, I’d break their faces if they were.

  Kruz said nothing, the iridescent gold of his irises making it almost impossible for me to concentrate on anything else. He slowly moved toward the sofa, carefully lowering the clothes as if worried he might wrinkle them. When he turned toward me, he also nodded to Carlos who immediately walked toward my front door.

  What now? A walk in Disney World?

  I folded my arms, glaring at him. If he wasn’t going to do any talking, I’d be happy to monopolize the conversation. “What did you do, hunt down other people at the party and kill them? Maybe steal a few jewels along the way? Fancy cars?”

  Why was it that every time we had a spat, he remained calm and collected while I was going off the rails?

  “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

  There was movement behind me, but I refused to look, staring into Kruz’s eyes instead.

  “Calm down,” he finally told me.

  “How can I calm down? You’ve worked very hard to destroy my life. I think I have every right to be a bit disturbed.”

  I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye but refused the urge to look. Maybe he’d stopped along the way from one killing to another and purchased me flowers. Wouldn’t that be a kick? Here, honey. A rose for every man killed tonight just for you.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “I told you that everything was going to be alright,” he said, his voice way too soothing.

  “Yes, and you also told me you were a monster. At least one truth.”

  He sighed and took my arms.

  I jerked away.

  He cocked his head, giving me a stern look. When he rubbed his hand down from my shoulder to my arm, I flinched, but at the same time my pussy began to throb.

  “Christine. Breathe for me. Just breathe.”

  I was about to launch into him again when another movement caught my eye. This time, something stilled deep within me and I turned my head.

  Until the night before, I’d never really been prone to many outbursts, no matter what Kruz likely thought at this point. I’d also rarely allowed myself to cry, also until recently. But almost immediately tears began to flow, sobs ready to shatter my record.

  In a bundle of covers in Benito’s arms was my son.

  Gasping, I felt my knees buckling and would have fallen to the floor if Kruz hadn’t caught me from behind.

  “I told you to breathe,” he whispered in my ear.

  “You’ve told me many things,” I managed. “How?”

  Maverick was asleep, his sweet cherub face peeking out at me through the opening in the bundle. Benito’s face was practically beaming and he took a cautious step closer.

  “I did what the courts should have done.”

  I closed my eyes briefly, trying to block out all the whispered thoughts of what that meant. I just didn’t want to know. Before I could take a step, Maverick shifted in the man’s arms, his little hand suddenly appearing.

  Benito pulled the cover down and my boy’s second favorite stuffed animal was in his arms. That’s when I lost it, my tears blinding me.

  So I wouldn’t wake him, I turned toward Kruz, allowing the powerful man to gather me into his arms where I sobbed against his shirt for at least two full minutes.

  He allowed me to cry, his gentle hold of my head more soothing than should be allowed. I drank in his masculinity like a lifeline.

  When the racking sobs finally stopped, I pulled away. Kruz gently lifted my chin with a single finger, brushing tears away with his thumb.

  “I want the best for you, Christine. I hope you can believe that.”

  I only had energy to nod. Thank you, I mouthed and rose onto my tiptoes, pressing a kiss against his cheek. He held me there, pulling me against him. He was so warm, his body so inviting. It was wrong to want him the way I did, but I couldn’t help the strong feelings or ignore the sweeping sensations.

  As I shifted my head, so did he. Our lips touched.

  My heart stopped.

  Our worlds had collided.

  He held me in place for a few seconds but stiffened. I sensed he didn’t like seeming soft in front of his men. As I backed away, I nodded once again and turned toward Benito. With his help, I took my son into my arms.

  And almost lost it again.

  Kruz followed me to Maverick’s bedroom, waiting at the door while I placed the little man under the covers. I took my time pulling the sheets under his chin.

  His eyelids fluttered open just then. He was so sleepy, so adorable.

  “Mama?” he asked.

  I nodded, fearful if I said anything he’d know how upset and relieved I was.

  Jerking up, he threw out his arms. I thumped down on the bed, holding him close and once again turning my head toward the man who’d brought him back to me.

  Kruz’s massive figure filled the doorway. He was so strong.

  So powerful.

  His head was leaned against the door jamb just watching our interaction.

  “I love you, baby. Mommy’s right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Maverick clung to me for a few seconds, but I could feel his little body returning to sleep. I gently eased him onto the pillow and almost immediately he rolled over. Just being able to run my fingers through his tufts of hair was the greatest joy. I held back another sob and hummed my baby’s favorite song.

  When I was certain he was fast asleep, I turned on the little light next to his bed before standing. The chill inside remained and part of the reason was knowing whatever Kruz had done to bring my son back to me had been horrible,

  Yet inside, I was happy, thrilled and in truth, hopeful the bastard who’d stolen my baby had gotten what should have come to him a long time ago.

  What did that say about me?

  Maybe Kruz and I were more alike than I’d wanted to admit.

  My feet were heavy, breathing difficult even though the crush of relief brought so much joy. As soon as I was in the hallway, Kruz pushed me against the wall. He remained gentle, but he wasn’t going to let me go until we talked.

  “Malcolm won’t allow this to happen. He’ll call the police. I don’t know what I’ll do then.”

  “He won’t call the police, Christine. I made certain of it.”

  I lifted my head, glancing back and forth. “You killed him.” Was I asking a question or making a statement? Why was there no emotion in my voice?

  “As I told you before, it’s better not to know. However, I did what I needed to do. You deserve to be with your son. But now, you need to do something for me.”

  “What?”

  “You need to pack quickly and come with me.”

  “To Spain.”

  “Yes.”

  I looked away, trying to rationalize what I could say to keep him from taking me away from my home. Yet other than Chloe, what reason did I have for staying? A dead-end job and a possibility the police would be breathing down my neck.

  The heat of his body was oppressive.

  My heart thudded in my chest.

  His nostrils flared, his jaw clenching.

  My nipples hardened against the tight shirt.

  Everything about that moment was sweet torture, desire mixing with fear mixing with excitement. A caustic concoction.

  “Will you come with me, Christine?”

  I inhaled, trying to clear my thoughts.

  My body ached for him and his cock was just as excited as the rest of me. He wanted me the same way. This was so wrong. Sinful.

  As soon as he cupped my jaw, rubbing his thumb back and forth aimlessly, I almost lost it.

  “Will you?” Now his voice was more demanding.

  “Then what?”

  “Then we’ll see. I can promise you this. I will keep both of you safe. On my honor I will.”

  His honor.

  Was there such a thing as honor among killers?

  He hadn’t figured it out yet. I glanced toward my son’s room, the ache from before still there, still ever present. But I had no choices, nothing that could provide me with the kind of protection I knew Kruz could.

  So I made a choice, the only one that made any sense whatsoever.

  And one that I feared would haunt me forever.

  “Yes, I’ll go with you.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Kruz

  Damnation.

  I was going straight to hell for everything I’d accomplished in my life. There was no question Satan had a special unit for men like me. Dying and suffering had never bothered me. At least until now.

  Did I truly expect a happy ever after?

  Oh, fuck, no. Not really anyway.

  Although over the years of creating destruction and seeking retaliation, something had constantly nagged at the back of my mind. I’d never been able to put my finger on it until today.

  I missed having a family.

  Not in the traditional way. I wouldn’t be the doting husband and father eager to take his kids to football practice and encourage them to do better in school. I couldn’t be that kind of father. As far as a husband, up until now I hadn’t been certain if I could stand being with a single woman.

  Christine had made me feel different about everything.

  My own family had been a shitty one. Tossed out at sixteen, I’d lived on the street for months before meeting Jago. We’d been close ever since. As close as I could be with a man who’d scarred me during the middle of a heated argument claiming he was better than me.

  That I worked for him and not the other way around.

  We’d been tight ever sense.

  I had no idea how to be a decent human being. That was the crux of it. What Christine had experienced had been as sophisticated as I could envision.

  What about Maverick?

  Fuck. Just watching the two of them together had made me realize I was woefully under-skilled to deal with a kid.

  “You do understand that woman will wake up one day and realize you’re full of shit,” Jago said from his lounge chair. Since when had the man ever taken time to sun himself?

  His unchanged scowl annoyed the hell out of me.

  I leveled him with a harsh glare.

  He shrugged and pulled his drink from the table into his hand.

  “I’m just warning you that you don’t know this girl.”

  “And how long did you know Genevieve before your entire world changed?” I moved around him, heading to the outside bar. That was new as well, a fucking tiki representation of something tropical. I’d made fun of him for two full weeks after he’d had it installed.

  Another of Genevieve’s influences.

  “That was entirely different. I was required to be with the lovely woman in my life.”

  “You’re full of such goddamn bullshit.” I was angry, furious. Mostly with myself.

  “You aren’t her hero.”

  “So I told her. I know how the story goes, Jago. I’m not some fucking fool.”

  “No, you’re not. A woman in your house and a child? Wow. Instant family.”

  “I didn’t say I was marrying her.”

  Although the temptation had crossed my mind; another absurd idea, but one that could add another layer of protection. Just like his marriage to the daughter of a rival cartel within Spain had provided for Jago.

  However, it wasn’t possible for me. I could never settle down.

  “Look,” he said as he sat up, planting his feet on the pool deck. “You’re a killer through and through.”

  “Is that meant to be your weekly pep talk, cause it’s not working.”

  “You can be such an asshole. What I’m trying to tell you is that you’ve killed enough people, mostly enemies, to start a city of your own. Done out of necessity, but that weighs on a man after a while.”

  “You’ve certainly added your numbers to hell’s population.”

  “That’s what I’m saying. I had no balance. So maybe having Christine in your life isn’t such a bad idea. I’m just warning you that things will change. You’ll change. Every feeling. Every emotion. Every kill will become more personal, every action taken thought about more than once. That could spell danger for both of you. Correction, the three of you. Who knows, you get a dog and she gets pregnant. That’ll add to the complications.”

  He burst into laughter.

  “Oh, for the love of fuck. That’s not going to happen.”

  “Uh-huh. Famous last words. You’re lucky you found each other. As long as she can tolerate a gruff, most of the time pain in the ass bad boy then you’re golden.”

  “I’m not a pain in the ass.”

  “Oh, hell, yes, you are. If you want to retire or just take a nice long vacation with that main squeeze, I’m all for it. Just not until Fassi is found.”

  Why was it that around him I always seemed to be gritting my teeth? “You can be such an asshole sometimes.” I poured two shots of whiskey into the glass instead of my usual tequila. The last thing I wanted was to be reminded of Miami at this point.

  A total clusterfuck.

  “Yeah, I can. That’s what makes me good at what I do.”

  “Said no one,” I told him. “And I cannot believe you just suggested I retire.”

  “That’s not what I said, asshole. Don’t put words into my mouth. I’m just telling you that you’re a machine and I see that. But I need you. Hell, the fucking entire organization needs you.”

  Sighing, I understood what he was saying. Our world had changed over the years. We’d changed. Even the business of running an illegal operation had been forced to alter methods of operation to the point nothing was as it had been when Jago and I were running the streets, soldiers in his father’s army.

  “Do you remember the old days?” I asked and walked toward him.

  He took a deep breath, chuckling as soon as he exhaled. “We were fucking tyrants. The goddamn morgues were filled that first year.”

  “Yeah, and we were happy.” Or so we thought we were. Looking back, in my mind we were just dumb kids trying to make names for ourselves. We were lucky to be still alive.

  “Things are different.”

  I laughed. “Exactly what I was thinking. Anyway, I’m not going anywhere.”

  At least not right now.

  “So you know,” I added, “the shit Malcolm told me checks out. His father is the president of the Diamond Club.”

  “Which made a tidy little method for Fassi to shift directions, heading into the United States. Cleverly done.” He stood, sauntering toward me.

  I nodded and threw back a swallow. The liquor burned on the way down. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for alcohol.

  Or maybe I needed to get drunk. The thought amused me.

  “Exactly. He’s burning his path to legitimacy.” Meaning he was killing anyone getting in his way and those who could possibly turn on him. Fassi had no loyalty to anyone.

  Footsteps drew our attention as Navarro headed toward us from the house.

  “Who let the riffraff in?” I threw out.

  “Who allows rats into the country?” Navarro challenged as he closed the distance. “Interesting place for a meeting.” His glare toward the pool amused me. From what I knew about the man, he had no other life but work and working out.

  Not that I knew him very well. Even after all these years, I’d barely call him anything more than an acquaintance. What I did know about him allowed me to trust him implicitly.

  Plus, he was a crazy fuck.

  That I admired.

  “Miami certainly did have its possibilities. I almost didn’t come back.” I grinned for the hell of it.

  Navarro slowly turned his head, his dark shades preventing me from seeing his eyes. “No one would have missed you.”

  Jago laughed heartedly. “Business, gentlemen. We fuck off later.”

  “What do you want to do with Fassi?” I asked.

  “Let him play his hand. He’s undoubtedly aware we’re onto him. He’ll slither from his den soon enough. Navarro. Put additional men on the streets. Keep the security tight around the warehouses. If we need to head to Morocco, we will. Not that I would like to do that.”

  “Because your mind is elsewhere,” Navarro countered then turned his attention in my direction. “So I hear you’re also in the same position.”

  “Meaning?” I knew exactly what the hell the man meant. I just didn’t appreciate his tone.

  “Meaning the fact you have a guest is widely known. You’re taking a huge risk.”

  “A necessary evil.” My nerves were as taut as a live wire. If there was one thing I couldn’t tolerate, it was having my personal life questioned. He knew it too.

  “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?”