As I lifted the weapon, I wished him well on his journey straight to hell.

  Then I fired a single shot, taking a deep breath as the bastard slowly dropped to his knees.

  Seconds later, I felt a presence beside me. I lowered my arm, drinking in the soft fragrance of night-blooming jasmine.

  I turned away from the scene, taking a deep breath. “Let’s finish this. I have a family to return to.”

  Jago nodded, placing his hand on my shoulder. “We both do. Now, if can convince Navarro to do the same.”

  I shifted my gaze, staring into Navarro’s eyes. While the two of us would never be close, at that moment we shared a sense of pride as well as determination. In the Torres Empire we’d found family, able to provide for our futures. Yet wealth and power had lost its luster.

  The look he gave me was one of jealousy as well as issuing a warning of his own.

  That I shouldn’t fuck up what I shared with Christine. While any relationship had its share of difficulties, finding the right person capable of tolerating our sins was priceless.

  And once in a lifetime.

  I nodded in reverence and walked away.

  For once, the silent man was right.

  A gentle breeze softened the night air while the crisp air cooled the raging anger to a mild simmer. I stood outside the house I’d never really paid attention to, marveling at the flowers growing in the planter boxes I hadn’t even realized I owned. My housekeeper had obviously taken care of them, but for how long?

  Two of the three inspectors had been killed, only Nico Romano left alive to spread the news to Fassi. Along with Gio Farrelli’s statement and assistance, the Moroccan was likely questioning his method of operation. He’d either come out swinging or would lie in wait to see our next move. By now, he knew without a doubt we were in the precious jewelry business.

  We were setting ourselves up for a dangerous conclusion to the game, but we would force him into the open once and for all.

  After popping a breath mint into my mouth, I almost laughed. I likely smelled to high heaven, but my breath would be fresh.

  I tilted my head, noticing the light was on upstairs. A smile crossed my face. She’d insisted on returning to the house after spending one night at Jago’s. She’d told me she’d leave a light on for me for when I returned.

  The words hadn’t really meant anything to me when I’d left.

  Now? They meant the world.

  “Five other men are on duty tonight, boss,” Benito said.

  “Go home, Benito. We’ve had a difficult few days and more are in the future.”

  “I’ll do so in the morning. I just need to check with a few informants to ensure there are no retaliation efforts on the immediate horizon.”

  I clapped him on the shoulder. He was a good man, someone I could trust. It had never seemed as important as it did right now. “Tomorrow we locate Fassi.”

  “I mean no disrespect, Kruz, but we aren’t miracle workers, and I think you need some time to decompress.”

  Turning my head slightly, I almost burst into laughter. “Are you trying to handle me, Benito?”

  “No, sir.” He glanced at the light on the second floor. “I’m trying to remind you that taking a day to yourself won’t kill you or anyone else.” He rubbed the back of his neck, twisting it until we both heard a popping sound. “Plus, I’m getting too old for this shit.”

  Laughing, I shook my head. “Maybe you and me both. Fine. We talk late tomorrow. But if you hear anything from the streets, I need to know immediately.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  He walked away and for some reason, I hesitated. Maybe because I was covered in blood, the stench of death and sweat permeating my nostrils. Hopefully, Christine would be asleep and I could grab a quick shower. As I peered up at the window, somehow, I knew that wasn’t the case.

  Just walking inside felt different tonight. It wasn’t just the late hour or that I’d gone on a rampage to destroy anyone involved with attempting to take Christine’s life. The strange sense of sadness came from a much deeper place.

  I locked the door, reactivating the security system and listened for any sounds. There were none. How many times had I walked into the house late at night, not thinking anything about the silence enveloping the large space? Hundreds. Never had I felt the strange sense that this was home while experiencing a precarious sense of foreboding.

  As if I was teetering on the edge of disaster.

  I wasn’t the kind of man who believed in premonitions, and I certainly hadn’t bought karma was a factor in my life, yet everything seemed different.

  Remaining quiet, I headed up the stairs, still listening for any telltale signs Maverick was awake. The last thing I wanted was for him to see me soaked in blood. As I passed by his room, I resisted the longing to check on him. The kid was far too perceptive. He’d sense I was in the room within seconds.

  Huffing lightly, I finally realized the light wasn’t coming from the bedroom where Christine had been sleeping. The light was coming from my room. She’d refused to sleep there, preferring the room I’d selected for her. I’d found her curled up in the chair by the window when I’d arrived from the airport.

  With slow and easy steps, I headed toward the partially cracked door, pushing it open with a single finger.

  While the oversized room took up the entire side of the house, she sat at the front window, which provided a view of the driveway. I hadn’t made a single sound, yet she knew the second I’d walked in, her entire body bristling. As I closed the door, she turned around slowly.

  Exhaling, the sound was exaggerated and another rush of emotions settled in. So fucking beautiful. Dressed in a soft pink robe, she no longer appeared the fierce warrior I’d learned she’d become. The woman had shown no fear in dealing with the inspectors or Alcarez’s men.

  After her gaze fell to the floor, she pressed her fingers across her mouth. There was surprise in her eyes if not a significant amount of anger. She looked away and it was clear to see she was catching her breath.

  She threw her hand out while I was still a couple of feet away. When she lowered her hand, she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip nervously. “I was worried.”

  “I told you I’d be fine.”

  “You’ve told me a lot of things.”

  “Any of them lies?” I dared take a step closer and she backed against the wall. Was she that angry with me? Or had the emotions returned to hate?

  “No. You don’t lie to me.”

  “Then what is it? Are you angry with me that I left?”

  “No. You had to do your job.”

  “It wasn’t just about my job, Christine.” The ache deep within was worse than a kick in the balls.

  “Then what was it about?”

  “You.”

  She licked her lips in response.

  “What did you do?” Her question was barely audible.

  Sighing, I looked away briefly. For the first time in my illustrious career, I’d thought about what I’d say if asked any questions about my whereabouts and activities. “I erased a problem.”

  Her swallow was tight. “How many?”

  Was she really asking me that? I unfastened my jacket, pulling both the gun holsters and knife into my hand. “Enough.”

  “How many?”

  “Thirty-five, give or take.”

  Her skin paled, but she stood staring at me. “Including women and children?”

  As I cocked my head, I narrowed my eyes. “You should know me well enough by now to realize I don’t hurt women and children.”

  Christine looked relieved.

  “Fire, knife, or gun?”

  I couldn’t believe she was asking me that. “All three.”

  “You’re right. Enough.”

  We stood silently and I shook my head, trying to find the right words to assure her everything would be alright. “You’re still wearing the ring.”

  She lifted her hand, smirking in the process. “Well, since my fiancé hasn’t gotten down on his knee and actually proposed marriage, I thought this one would do. A little gaudy, but what the hell.” There was amusement in her voice, but also a hint of truth.

  “Do you want me to get down on my one knee and propose?”

  “Not without a proper ring.”

  I laughed. “Let me guess. You’d prefer something more personal instead of flashy.”

  “Perhaps you do know a little bit about me after all.”

  “Then I’ll see what I can do.”

  “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

  After placing the weapons on the table, I tried getting closer once again. She threw her arm out vehemently. “What is it? Do you hate me that much, Christine? It’s my job to eliminate issues. The men of that cartel threatened you. They hurt you. They’ve scared you. They almost killed my drug lord’s wife. That’s unacceptable. I had to do my job. I thought you understood that.”

  She stood quietly, her mouth twisting.

  “I’m not going to apologize. I’d do it again ten times over. I’d paint the sky red if I needed to so I could keep you safe. I’d burn down hundreds of buildings, slash a thousand men’s throats. I’d face a fucking fire-breathing dragon with nothing but my bare hands if it meant keeping you alive and protected from the evils of this goddamn world. Don’t you know me well enough by now to realize the danger I’d place myself in if that meant making you happy?”

  Her silence was… frustrating. “Fine. I’ll go to the guest room for the rest of the night.” I turned abruptly and she cleared her throat.

  “I know you would do all those things and more, Kruz.”

  “Then why act like you hate me?”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “Then what? What?” I spun around again, hating myself for the commanding tone in my voice.

  She pointed to me then slowly lowered her finger to the floor. “You stink and you’re covered in blood. That’s not attractive.”

  Shifting, I moved toward the dresser, half laughing as I caught a glimpse of my reflection. Well, fuck. Now I knew why she was reacting 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.”

  His grin was entirely different than I’d seen before, and the way his long lashes floated across his cheeks forced a whimper from deep within. “Maybe I’ll just stay wet for the rest of the night.”

  “That’s only a couple hours.”

  He shifted his pelvis until his groin was pressed between my legs. “Then I guess I’ll extend that into twenty-four hours.”

  “What about food?” I tilted my head until our lips were almost touching. As I struggled in his hold, he darted a quick glance up along the wall.

  “You’re not going anywhere and I can think of better things to eat.” He allowed his lips to linger over mine for way too long.

  I darted out my tongue, sweeping it across the seam of his mouth. The temptation was instantly too much and he crushed his mouth over mine, devouring my tongue in an instant. There was a desperate need in both of us, a stark yet telling desire that created wave after wave of current.

  The feeling of his heavy body pressed against mine was incredible and I reared away from the wall, trying desperately to free my hands. I longed to touch him, to run the tips of my fingers down his scarred back. I’d been so afraid of losing him, yet was even more terrified of admitting it to myself. Now there was no holding back, the kiss a powerful reminder that for some crazy reason we were supposed to be together.

  He rubbed his groin back and forth, creating a crush of friction and another mind-bending wave of desire that seemed never ending. The taste of him, so minty and fresh, was just as powerful as his fevered hold. He finally thrust his tongue past my lips, instantly dominating mine.

  The man was more crazed than before, every sound a deep, primal growl. We were both hot and sweaty, the water adding to rising steam.

  He was intoxicatingly rough, the passion we shared shooting me straight into a moment of bliss. Just as soon as the kiss had started, it abruptly ended and he let go of my wrists.

  I managed to rub my hands over his shoulders, but only briefly before he dropped to his knees, forcefully pulling my legs apart.

  The second he used his thumbs to part my pussy lips, I threw one hand over my head, digging my fingers of the other into his shoulder.

  “Oh, what are you doing?” I muttered, laughing immediately afterward, sensations rolling through me like a firecracker.

  “Feasting, mi hermosa futura novia.”

  “What did you call me?”

  “I said my beautiful bride to be.”

  His touch was everything, keeping the tingles shifting up and down my body. I couldn’t breathe, blood rushing through my system. The first swipe of his tongue around my clit and I was certain my legs were going to fail me.

  “Oh, God. So… You are so bad.” My nails dug into his skin as I tried to keep from falling. Somehow, I knew around him that would never happen.

  He sucked on my clit, taking his time as he rolled the tender tissue through his lips. I closed my eyes, still half laughing as the tingling sensations multiplied.

  His arms were suddenly wrapped around my legs, the man lifting me off the shower floor. I smashed both hands against the wall, trying to stay aloft, my body teetering.

  Every sound we made echoed even though the shower was huge. Water splashed over us, adding to the intense heat. I licked sweat off my upper lip, forced to bite back a scream as he drove his tongue into my tight channel.

  Holy shit. Stars were floating in front of my eyes. I was one of those girls who would be happy to scream my joy in pure ecstasy. If only I didn’t have a little man sleeping only yards away. Maybe I’d ask Kruz to make the walls soundproof.