Risky (Torn Between Two Lovers #2)(69)

“Joaquin.”

“Deno. What brings you to my neck of the woods tonight?”

“Oh, just slumming,” he said, then laughed as though he’d told a joke.

Joaquin’s stony expression clearly said it wasn’t. “There are plenty of other casinos in Atlantic City if you aren’t having a good time here. Feel free to take yourself to one of those.”

“Oh, don’t be like that. I was just kidding, boy. Your place is as good as any to pass a few hours at the tables.”

“Having any luck?”

“Breaking even.”

“Pity. Lose a bit more and I can go home with plenty of your green in my pocket.” He returned the other man’s smile, but unlike Deno’s expression, his was sincere.

“Perhaps you will at that. In any case, I just wanted an introduction to your lovely lady friend.” He turned his attention to Anna, and his regard made something inside her quell.

Her lover’s eyes flashed in anger, and she stepped in to avoid conflict. “I’m Anna Claire, visiting from New York. And you are?” She held out her hand, and as he shook it, she noted how unpleasantly cold his skin was. Like grasping a dead fish.

“Deno Santos, from this fair city. I’m a business associate of Joaquin’s.”

One of those who wasn’t happy about her lover legitimizing his holdings? He certainly emanated barely masked hostility.

“That’s nice.”

A silence ensued that almost became awkward, until Joaquin spoke. “Are you going to be around next weekend? I’ve decided to have an informal party in the ballroom for my business associates, spur of the moment. It’ll be a night where we can all relax and talk future projects over cocktails and appetizers. I’d like to extend an invitation.”


The other man looked surprised, then nodded, a calculating gleam in his eyes. Or so it seemed to Anna. “I would like that. Thank you.”

“Great. The party will be Saturday night, beginning around eight.”

“It should prove … interesting. I’ll see you then.”

Anna frowned as he walked off. “‘Interesting,’” she repeated. “I don’t like the way he said that. He’s sort of creepy.”

“He’s old-school mafia. And he’s my biggest problem at the moment, one that needs reining in.”

“Or you’ll have to send T-Bone to break his kneecaps?”

“Naw, that’s Henry’s specialty.” He laughed at her wide-eyed stare. “Kidding.”

“Why am I not comforted?”

He grinned. “Seriously, don’t worry. I don’t send out my goons to break bones. Well, not anymore.”

She didn’t know which part of that sentence he was teasing about and decided to leave well enough alone.

He left the waiter a generous tip and then called the car while she checked her cell phone. Five voice messages today and several texts, most of them from Gray. He was nothing if not relentless. The sight of them gave her heart a lurch. She had managed not to think of him all day, and yet he was still there in a sense, disrupting the peace and happiness she was working to build. She wanted to move forward, but he was making it so damned difficult.

Part of her wondered whether she’d been too harsh on him, especially after hearing some of the things Joaquin had told her about his father and the illegal activity he’d worked to eradicate. It wasn’t a stretch to understand why Gray, as an FBI agent, wouldn’t believe Joaquin was doing what he said and felt bound to bring him to justice.

But Gray had had his chance, and that was over. Wasn’t it?

In minutes they were in the limo and cruising toward Joaquin’s estate. Tired, Anna rested her head on Joaquin’s shoulder. His arm went around her and held her close, and she snuggled in with a hand on his chest. He smelled so good, and the car was so cozy, she was asleep in minutes.

The next thing she knew, someone was shaking her gently. She came awake, realizing the car had stopped and they were back at the mansion, in the driveway.

“Sorry I fell asleep.” She yawned, making her eyes water.

“You’ve had a long day, baby. We both have. What do you say we take a quick shower and hit the bed a little early?”

“Sounds fabulous.”

Upstairs in his suite, she looked around, blinking at the sheer size of his bedroom and the furniture it contained. The bed was large enough to accommodate five people, though only two would be in it. She’d already decided she loved snuggling with him too much to stay all alone in the guest room.

They showered quickly and kissed some, enjoying touching each other. But their attentions were more affectionate than erotic. They were both exhausted, and just being together was fulfilling their needs for now.

Once they’d toweled off, Joaquin loaned her one of his T-shirts so she wouldn’t have to go digging through her suitcase for something.

“I can just sleep naked, you know.” She grinned, yanking on the shirt.

“Yes, but seeing you in my clothes is very sexy. Keep it, but leave off the panties.”

“If you insist.”

She couldn’t help but admire his masculine, naked form as he crawled under the covers. Nor did she have any inclination to bitch about the double standard, since her wearing his shirt was a turn-on for him.