Page 29 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)

MEETING ERIK

CAROLINE

C aroline didn’t like the vibes Willie Boy was putting out.

Her gut-reaction to him was not a positive one, but she stayed silent.

Grey had a handle on his family, plus she had enough on her mind with the Day of Destruction.

In true Caroline form, she’d been obsessing over it.

Though she considered it a stretch, she wanted to revisit the out-of-order men’s rooms at the FBI and Justice.

“You’re quiet,” he said as they ate. “How’s the eggplant?”

“Delicious.” She offered him a piece.

While she fed him, her gaze floated over his face.

Eyes that pierced her soul. Sculpted cheekbones to die for, a deliciously sexy dark brown beard that tickled when they kissed, and hair that rivaled her own.

Yes, he was stunningly handsome, but she was falling in love with his character.

He was beyond courageous, brimming with confidence… and somewhat insane.

“Try the swordfish.” He cut off a piece. When he slid a bite into her mouth, he murmured, “Your beautiful mouth was made for sucking my cock. ”

Beneath the table, she squeezed his thigh. “I love your dirty mouth.” She held his gaze for an extra beat before sipping her water. “The fish is excellent. Everything here is perfect.”

The server returned with a bottle of wine. “This is from Willie Boy.”

“I’m good,” Grey said. “Caroline?”

“No, thanks,” she replied before finishing her eggplant.

After the server left, Grey said, “Pretty much everyone I know drinks. Why don’t you?” He moved an errant tendril away from her face.

She set down her fork. “About six months after I became a handler, Sydney and I threw a party. I had too much to drink and crashed in bed. In the middle of the night, one of my IOs called me. He’d received intel from an asset and wanted to run it by me.

My gut reaction was not to believe the intel, but I was still drunk and my judgment was clouded.

Turns out, it was a set-up and he got killed. ”

Her guts churned. She hated talking about this, but he needed to know.

“I told my superior what had happened, took responsibility for my decision, and asked to be removed from the position. I stopped drinking. Several months later, I asked to be reinstated. They sent me to an in-house therapist who cleared me. Though they never blamed me for his death, I blamed myself.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“When I started up again, you were one of my first assignments. I was so happy to be a handler again, but terrified I’d mess up.”

“Why?”

“Your assignments were different from the other IOs I worked with. With you, I had to be on call twenty-four seven. I think I’ve aged like two decades working with you.”

He chuffed out a laugh .

The server topped off their drinks, then asked about dessert.

“Coffee with cream,” Caroline said.

“Espresso,” Grey said. “Tiramisu, two forks, and the check.”

After the server left, Caroline said, “Thank you. Next time, my treat.”

He flashed her a smile. “All I heard was next time and treat.”

She leaned close, whispered, “We’re going to the Dungeon so I can show you off, then we’re out. I need to ride you like a bucking bronco at the state fair.”

“I’m gettin’ hard.”

She pressed her hand to his crotch. “God, I love your cock. It’s too big for my pussy, way too big for my mouth, which makes it perfect. I love taking you inside me, draining you dry, and giving you all the pleasure.”

“If you keep touchin’ me, I’m gonna have a very different kinda problem.”

“This dirty talk is making me super wet.”

“Jesus, woman, you’re killin’ me.”

She kissed him. “I like this booth. We’re sitting next to each other, we’ve got our backs against the wall. I could probably cover your junk with one of these lovely cloth napkins and rub you off right here.”

A sexy growl shot out of his throat. “I’m gonna fuck you so good, then make you come so hard, you won’t be able to walk for a week.”

She released a whisper-soft moan as she stared into his eyes. “I can’t wait until we find those killers. We’re taking a week off and we’re not getting out of bed.”

“Server’s coming.”

“So am I,” she murmured as she removed her hand.

The coffees and dessert were delivered. Grey handed the server his credit card and she disappeared .

Caroline sandwiched his face in her hands. “Thank you for dinner. It was perfect.”

“The night’s not over.”

She forked a piece of tiramisu and held it out for him. He opened his mouth and she slipped the delicate morsel inside.

“Mmm,” he said as he collected some on his fork and fed her.

Sweetness exploded in her mouth, the creamy dessert making her smile. “I’m going to savor every bite of this. I have a feeling this is the calm before the storm.”

“Why?” he asked before sipping the espresso.

“Because I trust my gut… and it’s never wrong.”

Beneath the table, he clasped her hand. “What did you think of my cousin?”

She shook her head. “No comment.”

“Austin, no holding back.”

She slipped another bite of dessert into her mouth. “Mygod, this is amazing. We should have skipped dinner and just had dessert.”

“You’re gonna need your energy.”

“Tease.”

“I’m serious.” After he forked in another bite, he said, “I shouldn’t have hired him.” He tossed a nod toward Willie Boy, who was back at the table with the four guys.

She followed his gaze. “What about them?”

“They slipped him a wad of cash.”

“It’ll be good for you to talk to your brothers.”

They finished their coffees, Grey settled up. Instead of leaving, he brought her into the office so he could say goodbye to Teddy.

“You want me to tell Willie Boy he’s out?” Grey asked.

“Hell, no,” Teddy replied. “I can keep an eye on him here. I wouldn’t have hired him, so I owe you a big thanks for bringing him back. ”

“He’s up to somethin’.”

“What’d he do now?”

“Took a wad of cash from the guys at table eleven.”

“Gotcha. Where are you two headed?”

“A friend of mine wants me to meet her boyfriend, then we’re working,” Caroline replied.

Teddy’s eyebrows jumped to his forehead. “In those fancy duds? Go have fun. The insanity isn’t going anywhere.”

“He’s right,” Grey said.

“Take good care of my brother,” Teddy said to her.

“She’s been doin’ that for years.” Grey placed his hand on the small of her back and peered down at her. “You ready to show your frenemy who’s boss?”

“Frenemy?” Teddy asked. “I do not understand women.”

“It’s not our job to understand ‘em, brother,” Grey said. “It’s our job to love and protect them.”

In that moment, Caroline Austin fell in love with Greystone Santini.

GREYSTONE

On the ride to the club, Greystone fastened his hand around Caroline’s thigh. “For the next hour, we take a deep breath and chill. Then we work. Sound good?”

She kissed his cheek. “I don’t need to make Jennifer Leigh jealous. I just need my man.”

He locked eyes with her in the dimly-lit car. “You got me.”

Upon parking in the lot of the popular Arlington nightclub, Caroline texted her friend. Seconds later, her phone binged.

“They’re on the second floor,” she said.

They entered the Dungeon, the blaring music, and the smell of beer on tap and greasy bar food hijacking his senses.

But it was the beautiful woman by his side who kept him grounded.

He was doing this for her, but there were clear advantages for him.

Beyond their physical connection, being with her felt familiar, yet new at the same time. Comforting, yet exciting.

He clasped her hand, led her through the crowded room where a sea of bodies swayed and bounced on the crowded dance floor. In the stairwell, he backed her against the wall at the base of the steps.

“I’ve been dyin’ to do this all night.” On a growl, he dipped down, kissed her, and his body roared to life.

She kissed him back and moaned into his mouth as he deepened their embrace. Being with her was what he wanted… what he needed.

When their kiss ended, he broke away. “Damn, you kiss me good.”

She shot him a smile. “We won’t stay long.”

He stole one more kiss before they made their way upstairs.

On the second floor, the sultry music floated all around them.

Here, the atmosphere was more chill, the vibe sexier, accentuated by the amber glow of dangling string lights.

Tables filled the room while booths lined the walls.

Though he appreciated this over the louder, chaotic first floor, he wasn’t interested in the strippers, especially when his dream girl was by his side.

“There she is,” Caroline said.

Greystone followed her gaze. Across the room, sitting alone at a four-top, was her friend. “What’s her name?”

“Jennifer Leigh. She goes by JL.”

Caroline pulled to a stop at the table and her friend glanced over, then couldn’t hide her surprise. She did a quick once-over of Caroline, rose, and hugged her.

“You made it,” JL said.

To Greystone’s surprise, JL’s smile was flat.

“Of course,” Caroline replied. “Do you remember Grey from my birthday party?” She swung her gaze to him. “This is JL.”

JL tilted her head, offered a big smile, then did a weird posturing thing where she angled one shoulder toward him then the other. “Hi, I’m Jennifer Leigh.”

Is she flirting with me?

“Let’s sit,” JL suggested.

After pulling out Caroline’s chair, he waited for her to be seated. “You good?”

She smiled up at him and he sat next to her.

“Wow, so you two look like you’re ready to burn down the town,” JL said. “Caroline, you look pretty, but you’re kinda out there. I mean, you usually hide the girls.”

Greystone did not want to get in the middle of a pissing match over Caroline’s breasts, but he was curious how she’d respond.

“Sydney says, ‘If you got ‘em, flaunt ‘em.’” She nodded toward the empty seat. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

“Erik had to make a call.” She flicked her hand. “He’s got several big projects going on back in Dubai.”

“Doesn’t he work for you?” Caroline asked. Before JL could answer, Caroline added, “JL runs a janitorial?—”