Page 28 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)

He didn’t like the sound of that, but he wasn’t gonna push back. He liked her. She liked him. He was good with that… for now.

“Don’t overthink us.”

She cracked a smile. “We’re an us?”

“Hell, yeah,” he said, and kissed her again.

In the hangar, they got into their vehicles and drove out. He followed her onto the main road, but they got separated in the heavy traffic.

Twenty minutes later, he parked in his driveway, went inside. He changed into shorts and a T-shirt, slid into running shoes. He could have asked Caroline to work out with him, but he needed time alone. As he took off on his usual route, he cleared his mind of the constant frustration.

He was the guy the CIA called to eliminate scum. He was also the one they called to flush them out. He’d built an empire of connections for himself throughout the world, but when it came to hunting killers on his home turf, he had few contacts.

As the beads of perspiration formed on his brow, he reviewed every piece of information he had, analyzed what they knew. He increased his speed, sprinting through the neighborhood he was temporarily calling home.

He’d been on the move for so long, he had no idea what it would feel like to put down roots, like his brothers. They’d lived in the DMV their entire lives. He’d started over again and again.

Was Caroline his home? Was she the one he could build a life with? His gut told him yes, but he wanted to take things slowly.

Pushing himself harder, he refocused his thoughts on the case.

While the terrorists wanted to blend in, there were multiple ways to find someone, especially in a world where security cameras were plentiful, and social media encouraged people to tell all, show all, share all, boast all.

There had to be someone in that group whose ego made it impossible for him to stay hidden.

I will find you.

Bolstered by the determination that had served him well for the past sixteen years, he ran to the local gym. Thirty minutes later, he’d finished his workout. Energized, he jogged home.

It was just before seven when he walked into Santini Ristorante. The place was busier than he’d seen in a while. The hostess had just returned from seating someone.

“Hey, Tara, busy night.”

“Willie Boy’s back,” she said. “I didn’t know what to say?—”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he quit the restaurant and left the area,” she explained.

“Mr. Santini and Mr. Santini—Luciano and Tank—they took over and redid everything, even the name.” She stepped close.

“It was pretty rundown. Look, I don’t want to get involved in a family thing.

” She grabbed three menus. “I’ve gotta seat these guests. ”

“Understood,” Greystone said. “Is the owner’s table available?”

She checked the schedule. “Yes.”

“I’ll take it. I’m expecting Caroline Austin.” He took off through the crowded restaurant in search of his new hire. He found Willie Boy in the office, sitting behind the desk. He was smoking a cigar and talking on the phone, his back to the door. “Yeah, I need to order a billiard table.”

“Yo,” Greystone said.

Willie Boy startled, then spun around. “I’ll call you back.”

Greystone said nothing.

“Hey, cousin.” Willie Boy pushed out of the chair. If nothing else, he’d worn a decent-looking suit. “There are a lot of loyal customers wanting the pool room back.”

“Work the shift,” Greystone said. “You order nothin’. You don’t do payroll. You needed a job. I gave you one.” Greystone hitched an eyebrow. “Don’t fuck yourself by pissin’ me off.”

Willie Boy glared at him. Greystone wanted to laugh in his face, then haul his ass out back and show him how he handled problems. With his fist or a knife. A gun would work if things got bat-shit crazy.

“Get your lazy ass out there and make sure things are runnin’ smoothly. Check the kitchen staff, talk to the chef, make sure none of the servers called out. Help Tara seat guests if there are open tables. And clear a table your damn self if the busboys are busy.”

Willie Boy’s eyes grew full-moon large. “You gotta be shitting me. This was my castle and I was king.”

“Now, you work here, like the rest of us.”

Willie Boy narrowed his gaze, then stormed off.

He didn’t like the vibes Willie Boy was putting out, but he’d said what needed to be said.

It was up to Willie Boy to fall in line or get the boot.

Greystone pulled the office door shut behind him, made his way to the owner’s booth in the main dining room, and his heart jumped into his throat.

Caroline was seated, sipping something through a straw, and looking absolutely gorgeous.

As he got closer, she smiled at him, and his pulse shot up.

She rose. “Hi.”

He kissed her. “Wow, you look stunning.”

She’d pulled her hair into an updo, leaving long tendrils framing her face.

Normally, she wore little makeup, but tonight her smoky eyes popped, her lashes were thick and long, and her pink lips had him eyeing her beautiful mouth.

She’d worn a plunging bright pink shirt and black, sequined pants that flared at the bottom.

“You got my full attention,” he said.

“You look hot,” she murmured, eyeing his black suit, black dress shirt, and black shoe boots. “But you won’t stay dressed for long.” She waggled her eyebrows, leaned up and dropped a quick kiss on his lips before sitting.

He moved to the center of the horseshoe-shaped booth, slid his hand under her ass, and pulled her toward him. Her light-hearted laugh reminded him that even in the middle of chaos, there was good.

“Whatcha drinkin’?” he asked.

“Sparkling water with too many limes. It’s super tart. Try it.” She slid over the drink as the server appeared.

“Good evening, Mr. Santini, I’m Gracie and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I bring you a drink? Would you like a bottle of wine with dinner?”

Greystone sipped Caroline’s drink and grimaced. “That’s intense.”

“I warned you.”

“Iced tea with lemon,” he said.

When she left, he regarded Caroline. “Are you workin’ later?”

“ Much later,” she replied. “After I have my way with you, I’ll be all fired up, and ready to hunt me some killers. Why?”

“I’ve never seen you drink alcohol,” he said.

“I used to, but it’s been a while. What about you?”

“I don’t drink when I work and I’m pretty much always workin’. I don’t like catchin’ a buzz. My reaction time is shit and I can’t think straight.”

The server returned with his tea and lemon wedges, a bread basket with olive oil and freshly grated parmesan cheese. “Are you ready to order?”

“Do you need another minute?” he asked Caroline.

“I know what I want.”

He peered into her eyes. “Same.”

And he wasn’t talking about the food.

“Ma’am?”

“Eggplant parmigiana. ”

“And for you, Mr. Santini?”

“Pesce spada.”

“A bottle of wine?”

“We’re good,” he replied.

The server collected their dinner menus and left.

He clasped her hand, kissed her warm skin. “How was your workout?”

Her pupils blackened her blue-green eyes while she watched him intently. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Workout?”

“Fine, good.” He released her hand and she moved a tendril away from her face. “Yours?”

He leaned close. “Intense.”

She raked her gaze over his face. “Did it help?”

“Not enough.”

She laid a possessive hand over his thigh and squeezed.

The desire to kiss her had him leaning close. “Gimme some good stuff.”

She kissed him. “I’m not used to all this PDA.”

“Do you hate it?”

“I love it.”

Willie Boy, approached the table, a glass of wine in hand. “How is everything?”

Greystone eyed the drink. “Hey, WB, thanks for doin’ the rounds.”

Willie Boy nodded. “No problem. We Santinis need to make sure we take the high road, right?” He smiled at Caroline. “Ma’am, how’s your evening going?”

“This is my cousin, Willie Boy. This is Caroline.”

Teddy strode over. “What the hell!”

Willie Boy reared back, then held his hand up to protect his face. “Whoa, heyyyyo Teddy.”

Teddy jumped his gaze to Greystone. “You hired him ?”

“Yeah. ”

After a beat, Teddy shot Willie Boy a flat smile before extending his hand. Again, Willie Boy flinched.

“Easy, cousin,” Teddy said. “It’s all good.”

“Really?” Willie Boy bleated as he pumped Teddy’s hand. “You mean that?”

“Sei la feccia della terra, pezzo di merda,” Teddy replied. “Hai delle palle a tornare qui. Pagherai per quello che hai fatto.”

Jesus, what the hell is goin’ on?

“You know I don’t speak Italian,” Willie Boy snapped.

“Relax,” Teddy said. “I’m not gonna break your nose again.”

“I don’t want no trouble,” Willie Boy murmured. “Greystone asked me to fill in a few nights a week.”

The last thing they needed was a scene, so Greystone pushed out of the booth. Now, towering over Willie Boy, he held Teddy’s gaze.

“All good, Willie Boy.” Greystone squeezed Willie Boy’s shoulder. “No drinkin’ on the job.”

“Righto.” Willie Boy set his glass down and glanced over at Teddy before moving on to speak with diners at another table.

“Everyone’s staring at you,” Caroline murmured. “Why don’t you sit back down?”

Teddy plunked into the booth, banging the table as he sat. Caroline grabbed her tall glass as the water splashed onto the table.

A nearby waitstaff hurried over and wiped up the spill. “What are you drinking, ma’am?”

“Sparkling water with lime.”

“All the limes,” Greystone said, and Caroline smiled as he eased down beside her. Beneath the table, he blanketed her thigh with his hand.

“What’s goin’ on with you and Willie Boy?” Greystone asked.

“Not here.” Teddy got busy on his phone .

“I can give you two a minute,” Caroline said.

“Stay,” Greystone said.

Teddy raked his hands through his hair. “Carrera and Slash are having dinner at their house tomorrow night. I’ll text you the address.”

“I gotta work.”

“Grey, it’s important,” Teddy insisted before pushing out of the booth.

Again, the table wobbled. Caroline steadied her glass as the server returned with her new drink and small plate of lime wedges.

“Dinner’s at seven, but everyone shows up early,” Teddy explained. “Gabriel’s flying in.” He shot Caroline a smile. “How’s your sister?”

“She’s good.”

“You want me to fire Willie Boy?” Greystone asked.

“Hell, no.” A wicked smile filled Teddy’s face. “Manteniamo i nostri nemici vicini.” Teddy tossed Caroline a nod before he took off toward the office.

Greystone peered over at her. “That was some crazy shit.”

“Was Teddy talking about Willie Boy in Italian?” she asked.

“Yeah. He said, ‘You're the scum of the earth, you piece of shit. You got some balls coming back here. You're gonna pay for what you did.’”

“Sounds intense,” she replied.

“That’s the Santinis.”

“What was that last thing Teddy said?” she asked.

“Keep our enemies close,” Greystone answered.

Caroline leaned back in the booth. “You have to go to dinner to find out why there’s so much tension.”

“The Santinis got some baggage. You still in?”

She kissed his bearded cheek, offered a sweet smile. “One-hundred percent.”

“Same,” he replied as the server returned with their entrées .

From his vantage point in the corner of the restaurant, Greystone spotted Willie Boy talking to four men at a table nearby. One of the men slipped his cousin a wad of money.

Greystone knew two things. He needed to keep an eye on his cousin, and he needed to make time for that family dinner. From what he could tell, Willie Boy was the same two-faced, fork-tongued troublemaker he’d always been.