Risky (Torn Between Two Lovers #2)(54)

As they were led to their table, Anna glanced over her shoulder at the huge guard. He’d taken up a position at the perimeter of the main dining area. Close enough to oversee the happenings all around them, but far enough away to afford them some privacy. After they’d taken seats at their table and the ma?tre d’ vanished, she nodded toward the hulking man.

“Okay, so what’s the deal with the goon? Seriously.”

“I doubt very much that T-Bone would appreciate being called a goon.”

“Does he carry a gun? Would he hesitate to use it to save his employer?”

“Yes, he does, and no, he wouldn’t,” Joaquin admitted.

“Then he’s a goon.”

“I dare you to walk up to him and say that to his face.”

“No, thanks. I like where my liver is located.” She eyed T-Bone with suspicion. Again, the big man grinned at her, and she looked away, feeling unsettled.

Her handsome date snorted in amusement. “None of my men would hurt you. Not without good reason.”

“The qualifier there isn’t exactly comforting. And men, plural? Just who am I having dinner with tonight? Michael Corleone?” The suggestion didn’t seem too far out there.

“Not exactly.” He paused as a waiter came over, handed them two menus, and asked for their drink orders. “We’ll have a bottle of your best Sauvignon Blanc.”

“Excellent, sir.”

The waiter left, and she looked back at Joaquin. “Explain what you mean by ‘not exactly,’ please.”

He hesitated, regarding her for a moment. “I don’t think I told you my last name earlier. It’s Delacruz.”

She waited. “Okay. Is that supposed to mean something?”

“Doesn’t it?”

Delacruz. Joaquin Delacruz …

A conversation with Gray from just before he was shot began to form and came into sharp focus.

“Do you know a man by the name of Manny Delacruz? Or his older brother, Joaquin?”

“No. Should I?”

“Not necessarily. The Delacruz brothers are crooked casino owners I’ve been after for years. Joaquin is a billionaire, but he’s got his fingers in just about every dirty pie you can imagine.”

“Which has what to do with me?”

“Manny planted some of his men here, in your employ. They’ve been using Floor Fifty-Five as the base of their drug running operation almost since you opened your doors.”

Anna stared at Joaquin, her blood running cold. “Oh my God. You … Manny Delacruz is your brother,” she whispered. “He was running drugs, using my catering service to move them. Did you know what he was doing? Did you help him?”

“No, Anna,” he said, expression darkening. “I swear I had no idea what that f*ckup brother of mine was up to. I don’t condone the drug trade, and he went against one of my hard rules with his operation.”

“I don’t believe you.”


“Nonetheless, it’s the truth.”

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. “You didn’t come here and run into me by chance. Are you here to hurt me? Teach Gray a lesson?”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said softly. His eyes were earnest. “Would I like to cause Gray significant pain? Yes, so much I can taste it. For years, that * has caused me no end of trouble. He’s like a bird dog constantly snapping at my heels, waiting for me to cross the line so he can send my ass to prison.”

“He said as much to me.”

“I’ll bet he did. But I am not what he says I am.” Leaning forward, he rested his elbows and clasped his hands together, studying her thoughtfully. “You’re right, however, that I didn’t run into you by chance. I keep tabs on Gray, same as he does with me. I knew about you, and when I was informed of your breakup, I got curious. I wanted to know more about the woman who brought my enemy to his knees.”

“So you came here to spy on me?”

“I came here to get close to you,” he confessed. “To seduce you to my bed and then rub his nose in the fact that I’d had you.”

Her jaw dropped at his frankness and his complete lack of apology. She stared at him, anger rising swiftly. “Holy crap, you’re just as much of an ass as he is!” She started to rise, but a strong hand closed over her wrist. “Let go of me.”

“Please, sit down.”

“Why should I?” she hissed in a low voice. Looking around, she noted that a few people around them were shooting them discreet glances. T-Bone was resting with his back against the wall, arms crossed over his barrel chest, apparently unconcerned.

“Because I didn’t go through with it.”

The quiet statement gave her pause, as did the truth behind it. Slowly, she sat back down and met his gaze, unflinching. “And that’s supposed to make it all right? Go on, I’m listening.”

Joaquin let out a sigh as their wine arrived and the waiter asked for their order. He immediately selected seafood dishes for both of them and waited until the young man was out of earshot before he spoke again. “I’m not a petty man, nor do I mistreat those who don’t deserve it. While Gray could stand to be taken down several notches, you’ve done nothing to earn my wrath. The more I’ve watched you, not to mention enjoying the time we spent together this afternoon, I knew I couldn’t do that to you.”