Page 52 of True Abandon

“That is quite unfortunate.” The thought of Jason’s lost erection makes me turn my head to escape the imagery. Something outside catches my attention, and I look out the back door and see Benji walking by the pool area. “I’ll be right back.”

I scurry through the lobby doors and hightail it toward Benji. When I reach him, I grab his shoulder and turn him around.

“Mornin’, Nani!” His teeth gleam against his dark brown skin.

“Don’t beautiful me. What the hell is wrong with you?” Based on the ever-growing smile on his face, I can see he doesn’t comprehend my agitation. “Throwing daggers at a guest? You are out of your mind!” My voice is raised, and my hands burst out erratically.

“Rafael gave meh permission. I’m certified now.”

“Yes, but you were supposed to find an assistant.”

“I did. Isaiah told me Fish Bait was talkin’ stink so we thought we’d geev ‘em a lesson. It was good fun.”

I rub my head. “You need a release for something like that. What if he sues us?”

“I did nah hit him.”

“You scared him half to death.”

“That dude was nah scared.”

With a stomp of my foot, I exclaim, “You have no idea if he was or wasn’t. He’s my guest, and you don’t mess with one of my people. Right or wrong, good or bad, we don’t play games like that.”

He scowls at me. “Dats funny. I heard ya had his tingy waxed.”

“He did that voluntarily.”

“And da Volcanorita?”

“Benji, I’ll say this again, and you can tell Isaiah, leave Jackson Davis alone or you’ll have to answer to me.” I hear the irony in my voice.

“Fine. I never saw yah get so heated. We bruddahs got a special feeling for you. ‘Cause Trish is special.” His brows waggle as he says the words.

I roll my eyes at his sweet talk. “Thank you, Benji.”

I watch as Benji walks toward the Tiki Bar. When I turn around, my body comes to a halt at the site of a pensive Jax standing against a column. His hands are in his pockets, while his eyes are trained on mine, slightly squinted and appraising.

My heart pounds, unsure of how much of that conversation he heard. By the look on his face, I assume it was most of it.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t defending you.”

He shakes his head. “Never would have imagined.”

“I was merely protecting the integrity of my guests. If they act so freely with you, they’ll think they can do anything to anyone.”

“What do you have planned for today?” His voice is smooth and steady.

My brows rise. “You still want to do this?”

“Last night, I had knives thrown at my head. I’m pretty sure I can handle anything.” His dedication to this deal makes me antsy.

I jump in place and give a little shake. “Great. We’re going golfing.”

“You golf?”

“Not really, but I know how to drive the cart. What about you? You game?”

The right side of his mouth rises. It’s impossibly disarming.