Raw by Jo Davis Page A

ruefully. “No. It’s just that you have the saddest eyes I’ve seen in quite a while. I’d like to know if there’s anything I can do to change that.”
    At first she thought he was kidding, or just hitting on her. But in the depths of his riveting black eyes, she read understanding. Sincerity.
    â€œYou seem like you really mean that.”
    â€œI do,” he said quietly. Turning, he waved a hand at a bulky man she hadn’t noticed standing just behind them. “Get me and Anna something from the bar. Something fruity with rum for her, Jack and Coke for me.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    She snorted a laugh, eyeing him. “Really? You have a lackey to play fetch for you?”
    â€œHe’s my bodyguard. He does what I pay him to do.” Said as though it was quite normal to relax on the beach with a bodyguard.
    In spite of herself, she was intrigued. “Do you always take charge? What if I wanted something else to drink?”
    â€œDo you?”
    â€œWell, no. It was a rhetorical question.”
    His lips quirked. “There you go. So tell me, Anna . . . can I help put a happy smile back on your beautiful face?”
    She studied the gorgeous man beside her and thought,
What could it hurt? Live a little, Anna.
That was her new mantra, the one that had been drilled into her head.
    â€œI think perhaps I’ll let you try.”
    His smile heated her inside, chasing away the chill. Their drinks arrived, and Joaquin handed her the fruity concoction. Then he raised his own plastic cup in a toast.
    â€œThat’s a start, Anna. A very good start.”
    ***
    Gray was going home tomorrow. Thank God.
    He was in bed, flipping through channels on the wall-mounted TV, when Simon strode in, a serious expression on his face. Whatever he had to say, it wasn’t good. Gray sat up too fast and winced in pain. He had plenty more healing to do when he got out of here and had to move cautiously.
    â€œCareful, partner.” Simon took a seat by the bed. “You could rip something.”
    â€œDon’t stall. Did you find out where Anna went?”
    Simon blew out a breath. “Yeah. A resort in Aruba.”
    â€œSo what’s with the face? You look like someone just died.”
    â€œSomeone might when you find out the rest.”
    Dread seeped into his heart. “Lay it on me straight.”
    â€œJoaquin Delacruz is in Aruba. He arrived at the resort two days after Anna got there.”
    Anger burned inside him, but he kept it in check. Facts first. “Is he going after her because of me? Because I helped take down Manny?”
    â€œI don’t know, man. What I do know is he’s getting awfully chummy with her, doing his best to get close. Real close.”
    Anger swept into rage in a single heartbeat, and he shoved the covers off him. “If he touches her, I’m going to kill that motherfucker.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Simon asked in alarm. “You can’t go after him. You’ll either set back your recovery or you’ll really kill each other.”
    â€œThat’s a chance I’ll have to take.” Standing, he fought off a wave of sickness and pain. “Get me my damned pants.”
    â€œNo. The only place you’re going is home, and even then you’re on bed rest. There’s no way you’ll be cleared to fly, much less out of the country, and you know it.”
    The truth seeped in slowly, and it was killing him. Easing back into the bed, he clenched his fists in the sheets. “When I’m out of here, I’m going to take care of Delacruz for good. The question is, are you with me? If not, stay the fuck out of my way.”
    Simon’s jaw clenched. After a pause, he stated, “When you’re
healed
, I’m in. Somebody has to watch your stupid back.”
    â€œGood enough.” That would have to do. For now.
    Joaquin fucking Delacruz. Using Anna to get to Gray. To