They
stood there an awkward moment, each gauging the other. She
was itching for a fight, frustration blistering beneath her
skin, but she had to remember that Rio wasn’t her main
target.
“You know…” She leaned a shoulder against the wall and secured
her sunglasses above the brim of her hat. Better to look into
a man’s eyes when you’re going to challenge him. Better to
soften the blow a little, too. “I woke up this morning
determined to apologize to you for the way I acted last
night.”
Rio’s own sunglasses hid any reaction, but his body stilled as
if tensing for the second half of a one-two punch. He was a
much larger man than she remembered—six one or two and a
couple hundred pounds of muscle. Too big, too dark, too
cocky. He was also intelligent and intuitive and
compassionate. Rio Santana was just too damn everything.
“In fact,” she continued in his silence, searching for the
right words, “I’ve been trying to find a way to thank you for
all the…kindness…you showed me at the cemetery.”
Rio’s gaze tilted toward the sidewalk in a humble gesture.
“Then I caught you following me.” She hit him with the second
jab just when he’d relaxed. “And, damn if that didn’t spoil
all my plans.”
He looked up, lips parted in surprise, brows raised above the
rim of his sunglasses. A slow smile curved one side of his
mouth. “Following you?”
“Don’t play stupid.” The smug grin annoyed her—probably
because it was too damned cute. “Saul systematically
underestimates me. It’s an ego thing, a control thing. He
can’t stand not being the smartest, most cunning person he
knows. You, on the other hand, strike me as a whole different
type. Am I wrong?”
The other side of his mouth rose, gifting his handsome face
with a full-fledged smile that made her breath catch. And,
damn, he had dimples. Deep, little crescent-shaped hollows in
both cheeks that twisted his persona from enigmatic to
mouthwatering. “I’d certainly like to believe you’re
on target. But I think it depends on who you ask.”
He’d gone from who-the-hell-are-you? to Mr. Charming in less
than twenty-four-hours. She knew the type, but hated to
believe Rio fell into that category.
“If you treat me the way Saul does,” she said, “you’ll only
piss me off. And, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not at my
best when I’m pissed off.”
“You? Pissy?” He scoffed. “I can’t even imagine what that
looks like.”
She straightened, gearing up for a demonstration, when the
restaurant door opened behind her.
Cassie
glanced over her shoulder to find Miguel, the taqueria owner
and a classmate from elementary school, grinning.
“I just brewed a fresh pot of tea.” Miguel offered a hand to
Rio. The men shook. “Come in and keep Cassie company while
we’re getting her order ready.”
“Great idea,” she said. This was something she had to do.
The sooner the better. “A perfect opportunity to get a few
things…lined out.”
Miguel held the restaurant door open and called toward his
sister at the counter, “Maria, two sweet teas.”
Rio stood close behind Cassie. His scent hinted of sandalwood
and floated on the air around her, bringing memories of his
warmth and compassion and easing her anger against her will.
Only two tables remained open in the clean, no-frills
restaurant. Cassie strolled toward the larger one beside a
window. No sense in squeezing into a table for two. She
didn’t need to be any closer to him than necessary.
Rio lifted a hand in greeting to three men at a corner booth,
then sat opposite her. He removed his Ray Bans, hooked them
on the collar of his tee shirt and fixed her with an intent,
inquisitive look. His eyes were a beautiful green-gray. And
disarming. She was so used to looking into the black eyes of
angry men—Sharpe, Saul, the smugglers—and found herself
grateful for the softness in his gaze.
He
clasped his hands on the Formica tabletop, drawing her
attention there. She could almost still feel those long,
strong fingers as they had traversed her back, caressed her
shoulders that day at the cemetery. Then his voice shimmered
into the memory, deep and soothing. I know it hurts.
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
Maria set two glasses of tea in front of them, breaking into
the memory. Thank God. Now if Cassie could just get
rid of the tingle along her spine, the gnawing ache in her
chest.
“Gracias, Maria.” Rio handed her a twenty. “Keep it.”
Two years younger than her brother, Maria turned wide,
expressive eyes on Rio in hero worship. “Muchas gracias,
Rio.” She turned to Cassie. “Nice to see you. I’m sure Nina
and Mirabel are happy to have you home.”
Home. There it was again.
Cassie hadn’t seen either her cousin or aunt yet, but she
nodded and returned Maria’s smile. “Good to be back. How are
your parents?”
“Ornery as ever. Papa had both knees replaced, and he’s been
driving Mamá crazy while he recovers.”
“Maria.” Miguel beckoned his sister from the counter where
three customers waited.
She glanced over her shoulder then back to Cassie with a roll
of her eyes. “And he’s been driving me crazy
without Mamá here. I’d better get back.”
As
Maria headed for the counter, Cassie refocused on Rio and
circled the cool glass with her hands. She couldn’t keep
herself from following the line of his straight nose to a
strong jaw and…really nice lips…
Stop.
“Did you pick that up from Saul?” she asked.
A dark brow lowered over one eye. Shit, that was cute, too.
“Pick what up?” he asked.
“Bribing. Money talks, especially around here. Nice wad of
cash you gave Mario down at the docks.” She ran a finger down
the condensation on her glass and checked for a reaction from
beneath her lashes, but got nothing, just those calm eyes.
“I’m not objecting. He’s got two very smart kids in high
school. He certainly needs the money more than Saul does. At
least I hope you’re using Saul’s, not wasting your own on his
behalf. He’s not the grateful type.”
Rio didn’t comment. His expression held no sign of whatever
emotion he felt beneath. If he felt emotion. She
considered the possibility that he was as damaged as Saul,
simply gifted at constructing a charming façade. Some
psychopaths were so good at the game, they managed to fool
seasoned psychiatrists, or so Cassie had read during her
research on the disorder.
Rio set his glass down and licked his bottom lip. “I try to
be generous when I can.”
“Evasion, too. Looks like you’re on the fast track to Saul’s
A-list.”
Those nice lips tighten in irritation. He had emotion, all
right. He was just an expert at hiding it.
