by Jo Davis
There were a couple of outings to the movies, too, and he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been, before Anna. There was some markedly less pleasant stuff to deal with, like meeting with Manny’s lawyers so they could plan his defense. As though the fool actually had one.
But overall life was sweeter than it had ever been. So it was a most unpleasant interruption when he received a call from Grayson Sloane the afternoon of the party. The contact wasn’t unexpected, but he still didn’t want to deal with the agent. Anna was outside by the pool, enjoying the last couple of hours before they had to get ready to go to the casino, and Joaquin was inside fetching them some bottled water. Since she was out of earshot, he answered.
“Hello, Agent Sloane. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Cut the crap, Delacruz,” Gray said in a cold voice. “You know at least one of the reasons I’m calling. Is Anna there? Is she all right?”
“Yes, Anna is fine, and if you have to call me to find that out, then it means she doesn’t want to speak with you.”
“Why should I believe you?” he snarled.
“There’s no law that says you should. But I’m telling the truth. Anna was hurt by how you deceived her, and if she were inclined, she’s had plenty of opportunity to return your calls and make up. I’m not keeping her from you. She’s free to go any time she pleases.”
Though he’d fight like hell to make her stay. Unlike Gray, he wouldn’t give up until the last breath left his body.
Some of the anger drained from the agent’s tone, but he sounded no less deadly. “If I hear that Anna’s in any distress at all, if she’s placed in danger because of your stupidity, we’re going to have serious problems on a personal level. Are we clear?”
“I can protect Anna,” he snapped. “Just do your job and there won’t be a problem.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“You hinted at another reason for this chat. Care to get to it?”
“Look, I need to meet with you in person. Not as a way to see Anna,” he clarified. “I’m not stupid enough to think that won’t make her even angrier at me than she already is.”
“So it’s FBI business? We’re back to you looking for ways to toss me in prison and throw away the key?”
“Not exactly. Let’s just say I’ve been thinking things over, and I want to have a talk.”
“I don’t know what else I can say to you that I haven’t already said before. You don’t believe a word that comes out of my mouth, so I fail to see the point,” Joaquin said tersely.
“That could change. Can we meet?”
God, what a stubborn asshole. “Fine. Come see me tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll be there. And in the meantime, watch your back.”
“Any specific reason?” he asked.
“We have credible intel that someone is gunning for you. I’d rather tell you the rest in person.”
“Understood, but that’s not exactly news, Agent. The line of people who want me dead might stretch around the globe these days.”
“But the number who’d actually follow through is pretty damned small. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Fine.”
After hanging up, Joaquin went back over the conversation in his head. The agent had seemed sincere about the reason for his visit. He’d also seemed genuinely concerned about seeing his job done properly—even if that meant keeping Joaquin from falling victim to his enemy. Interesting.
Grabbing the bottled waters he’d almost forgotten about, Joaquin took them outside to where Anna waited by the pool. He couldn’t help staring at her gorgeous body, but between ogling Anna and the distraction of Sloane’s call, he wasn’t watching where he was going, and he almost tripped over a lounger. He openly admired his lady, thinking that if Gray made a move to steal Anna, he’d have a nasty fight on his hands.
She peeked at him over the rim of her shades as he handed her a bottle. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re pissed and it’s my fault.”
Appalled at himself for causing her to think that, he set down his water and knelt next to her lounger. “No, darling,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry I made you think that, but nothing could be further from the truth. I had an unpleasant phone call, and it was still on my mind, that’s all.”
Her eyes softened. “Anything I can help with?”
“Not at the moment.” He hated keeping the details from her, especially since she’d find out soon enough. But he didn’t want anything to spoil their day. “Thank you, though.”
“I worry about you. I’m afraid you’re taking on too much.”
“Maybe, but I’m not alone. I have Rio, and you.”
Their gazes locked, and for an instant he feared he’d gone too far, presumed too much. Perhaps she wouldn’t want a permanent place in his life, especially after tonight. The words hung between them, and he almost took them back.
Then she leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. Soon they were devouring each other’s mouths, and he wanted so much more.
Reaching past her, he lowered the back of the lounger slowly, until Anna was lying flat. He joined her, glad that the chair was sturdy and wide enough to hold their combined weight. Sprawled half on top of her, he ran his fingers over the swell of her breasts, enjoying how her nipples tightened under the sheer fabric of her swimsuit top.
“I love string bikinis,” he murmured, plucking at one of the ties hanging over her shoulder.
“Joaquin …” The need on her pretty face belied the warning in her voice.
“No one will see. Let me, please?”
After a brief hesitation, she helped him out by untying the string at her back as well. Reverently, he peeled away the skimpy top and bared her. She was so beautiful, he couldn’t resist cupping one globe in his palm, brushing his thumb over the pert nipple. She moaned, and the sound went straight to his stiffening cock.
He lavished attention on her breasts, bending to suck and nibble each of the taut nubs, loving her little gasps of pleasure. She threaded her fingers in his hair as he sucked, encouraging him to take more. He didn’t plan to disappoint.
Rising briefly, he shucked his swimsuit. Freed, his hard shaft bounced against his belly as he knelt between her legs and undid the ties at her hips. Then he cast away the bikini bottom and drank in the sight of her, his hunger spiking. She spread her legs, and he skimmed her mound, moving lower.
Gently he rubbed her sex, intent on bringing her pleasure. Soon she was ready for him, tugging on his shoulder.
“I need you,” she said breathlessly. “Hurry.”
Lowering himself over her, he guided his cock to her entrance and pushed inside, giving her time to adjust. He sucked in a breath, relishing how well they fit together. She sheathed him perfectly, and the fiery sensations danced along his nerve endings. He began to move, thrusting languidly, building the heady tension between them. The blaze that was about to burn out of control.
She clung to him, palms pressing into his back. There was nowhere else he’d rather be than wrapped around her, showing her exactly how much he worshipped her. All too soon, the waves began to break over them. His climax roared over him, and he came with a hoarse shout, emptying his balls. She shuddered underneath him, her cry sweet music to his ears.
They came down together gradually, and he gave her a deep kiss that she returned wholeheartedly. Then he shifted to her side, held her close as long as he could. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, but eventually he had to interrupt their peaceful idyll.
“We have to get ready for the party or we’re going to be late,” he said with regret.
“I know,” she said softly, cupping his face and placing a kiss on his lips. “I wish we could just stay right here, snuggled together for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Me too.” He smiled. “Later, by moonlight? You and me?”
“It’s a plan.”
&
nbsp; Upstairs, they took a shower together that ended up being a tad longer than they’d intended. Even though they’d just made love, he couldn’t resist soaping every inch of her slick skin and peppering her with kisses that made her shiver. To hell with being late.
Afterward, they got dressed. Anna put on her new outfit, and Joaquin whistled. “Jesus, you’re going to blow all the other ladies away. No woman there is going to look nearly as stunning as you.”
She flushed in pleasure. “Thanks. But you’re the one who’s going to be fending people off. I think I’m going to have to smack down a bitch or two.” She gestured to his dark pants and short-sleeved button-up blue shirt made of some sort of silky material she liked.
He laughed and swept a hand through his hair. “No worries there. I only have eyes for you, baby.”
Rio met them downstairs, dressed in designer jeans and a trendy-looking T-shirt that looked like a four-year-old had been turned loose on it with a pair of scissors. Anna gushed that he looked hot, and Joaquin rolled his eyes.
“You could’ve picked a shirt that hasn’t already been used for a dirt rag.”
“Fuck you, man,” Rio said cheerfully. “At least I dress my age instead of like I’m sixty or some shit.”
Shaking his head, he pushed his brother toward the limo. They climbed inside and settled in for the ride, talking companionably until they arrived thirty minutes later. The casino was in full swing as they got out, and Joaquin was pleased. Business was good, and it was all legal. His father had told them all their lives that the system was rigged and that playing by the rules was only for losers and dupes, the weak and the stupid. Breaking the law was practically the equivalent of being a man. But he’d proven he could have money and power without being crooked. Tonight, he hoped to convince some of his associates of that.
Not all of them were criminals. Some were even working to help his cause. It was a slow process.
Inside, he led them to the ballroom. As always, the place was dazzling. Tonight, he’d gone for a more laid-back atmosphere, hiring a talented local rock band to provide the music. They’d start a bit later, to get things really going.
“Would you like something from the bar?” he asked Anna.
“Rum and coke?”
“Rio?”
“Beer, bro.”
“You got it. Be right back.”
Leaving them at a table near the stage, he walked to the bar and ordered their drinks. Once he returned to the table with them, they relaxed until guests started to pour in, each one greeting Joaquin and his brother. Many expressed their sympathies for Manny’s bust, and many more wanted an introduction to Anna.
As he mingled with his guests, he noted with satisfaction that talk was surprisingly in his favor. He’d tossed around new project and development ideas, and most were receptive to taking the discussions further. If he could believe their sincerity, most of them had come around; maybe not to the point that they would also reform, but at least to where they understood he wasn’t abandoning doing profitable business with them—he’d just concentrate on the legal kind.
It was a successful night. Anna was the perfect woman on his arm, charming everyone around her, and he was making headway. Even Deno Santos seemed taken by her and wasn’t as abrasive and obnoxious as usual. He even complimented Joaquin’s party, and Joaquin wondered what the man might be up to.
A server with a silver tray floated past, and she paused at their table. “Mr. Delacruz, would you like a piece of turtle cheesecake? I heard it’s your favorite.”
“Did you?” He smiled. “Well, I suppose I can’t resist. Anna?”
“Not for me,” she said, eyeing the tray. “But I’ll have some of that crème brûlée.”
The girl doled out the desserts and flitted away, quickly becoming swallowed in the crowd. Joaquin took a bite, savoring the creamy treat with caramel and nuts on top.
“How’d she know that was your favorite?”
“Jealous?”
“Of course not.” She huffed. “That just seems really personal for her to know.”
“Not really,” he said, soothing her ruffled feathers. “Everyone knows that about me. I love cheesecake of almost any flavor, actually.”
Anna started to answer, and then turned, her attention captured by the wife of one of his associates. The woman drew her into an animated conversation, and he was glad to see her making friends.
Suddenly, he began to feel sick to his stomach. He ate a couple more bites, then set his fork down, a chill going through his entire body. It was as if someone had turned on the air conditioner to arctic freeze … and then moments later, he was burning up.
Elbows braced on the table, he panted, trying to get air. It was just so fucking hot in here all of a sudden, and he hoped he wasn’t getting the flu. But this felt different. Worse than any flu he’d ever had.
When the first spasm of pain wrapped around his chest and squeezed, he groaned in agony. “I can’t breathe,” he rasped. No one heard.
Next to him, Anna was still chatting with the other woman. “Is that right? Let me ask Joaquin.” She must’ve turned to him, though he couldn’t see her. “Honey, are we going to be free Tuesday—”
“Anna.” His voice was barely a whisper. Thank God she caught on fast.
“Joaquin, what’s wrong?” she asked, her voice rising in alarm. Her fingers wrapped around his arm.
“Can’t breathe.”
Another spasm wrapped around his chest, and his body went limp. He was barely aware of slumping sideways, hitting the floor as Anna cried out. Shouts of alarm were raised. He heard Rio yelling his name, but his voice was distant.
Shock held Joaquin immobile for long seconds that stretched out as he realized what was happening. He and his brother and their men, they’d been prepared for the hit to come in the form of guns. Knives. Fire. Even a staged accident.
But this? They hadn’t seen it coming.
He would’ve laughed bitterly if he’d had the breath. But he had no choice but to surrender as he managed the single word: “Poison.”
And the darkness took him to the deep end of the ocean.
5
“Poison,” Joaquin murmured, and his dark eyes closed.
“Oh my God.” Anna grabbed frantically at his shirt, shaking him. Then she pressed two fingers to his neck. “He’s got a pulse.”
“Call 911,” Rio yelled to someone nearby.
“On it!”
“Don’t you leave me,” Anna said, the directive hitching on a sob. “I can’t lose you, too. You’re going to be okay. Please, honey.”
“Anna!” Through her tears, she spotted Deno Santos crouched nearby, looking grim. “Go outside and wait for the ambulance. Someone needs to show the paramedics where to go.”
“But I can’t leave him!”
“You can be of more help to him this way. Go on, he needs you.”
Deno was right. She didn’t want to leave his side, but if she could aid her lover in some small way, she had to do it. Reluctantly, she rose and glanced at Rio.
“I’ll be back with help.”
“Okay. Hurry,” he ordered.
“I will.”
Taking off her spike heels, she tossed them aside and ran down the hallway and out into the lobby. She got a few strange looks, but she didn’t care. She had a simple job to do, and in this way she could help Joaquin. She ran out through the front doors to wait for the ambulance.
It didn’t occur to her until it was much too late that any one of the casino staff could have shown the paramedics where to go.
A dark SUV screeched up to the curb, and the side door closest to her flew open. Two men barreled out and grabbed her, and she screamed bloody murder as they dragged her toward the van. A nearby security guard yelled.
“Hey! What the fuck? Stop!”
As they dragged Anna inside, she caught a glimpse of the guard drawing his weapon—but her attackers were faster. Near her ear, a deafening gunshot sounded. Blood bl
ossomed on the guard’s chest as the SUV tore from the curb and shot into the night.
“Let go of me!”
She kicked and screamed, kicking any part of them she could reach. Grabbing the door handle, she fully intended to fling herself out of the moving vehicle, because that was surely preferable to whatever they had planned for her.
Instead, she felt a sting in her neck, then a burn that spread down her arm. In seconds she was boneless, sliding against the door in a heap. All so fast. They’d been having such a wonderful time. Had such a good thing together.
And now it was gone.
Someone had tried to kill Joaquin. Had poisoned him. He might be dead by now. They’d planned this and had taken her in the chaos, knowing that nobody would notice her absence for some time.
Joaquin.
She saw his handsome face in her mind before consciousness slipped away.
***
His brain awoke, the world returning in fragmented shards.
He wasn’t sure what had happened. Why he hurt so badly, even down to his bones. Or where he was.
Sometimes he felt like he was liquefying, his body simply melting away until there was nothing left. People talked around him, but he couldn’t catch all of what they were saying.
There were doctors. Words like heart, oxygen, resuscitate … and poison. He’d been poisoned? At a party. He remembered! But there was something else vitally important, and he couldn’t grasp it. So tired, he had to sleep.
When he awoke again, someone was sitting beside his bed. Turning his head made him sick, and he breathed through his nose for a few minutes before he could speak without vomiting. “Rio?”
His brother’s head snapped up from the magazine he was reading, and his face broke into a smile as he grasped Joaquin’s hand. “God in heaven, don’t ever scare me like that again! I thought we’d lost you!”
“I’m sorry,” he offered.
“Not your fault.” Rio looked haggard, dark circles under his eyes.
