Page 31 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)

BLACK OPS IN ACTION

GREYSTONE

A s they made their way toward the second-floor stairs, Greystone said, “If you bring one of the dancers, I’ll cover for you.”

Erik’s eyes widened. “Seriously? You’d do that for me?”

“Hell, yeah. Which one do you want?”

“Oh, man, I’d bag any of ‘em.”

Greystone winced as he slapped Erik on the back. “Let’s check out the car, then I’ll find you a woman. We don’t want JL to catch on.”

“No, we don’t. Even if she is easy to buy off.”

The two men walked outside, and Greystone eyed the long line. Not waiting in that.

He handed the line manager a folded twenty. “Back in five.”

The bouncer pocketed the money. “I got you.”

A black limo pulled up at the entrance hijacking everyone’s attention. Sin stepped out, flashed the group an A-lister smile.

“Who’s that?” Erik asked .

“Sinclair Develin. He’s The Fixer, DC’s premiere power player.”

Sin walked over to Greystone, extended his hand. “How you been, Grey?”

Greystone shook it. “Good to see you, brother.”

“We still on for lunch next week?”

“Absolutely,” Greystone replied.

Sin turned toward the clubbers and grinned. “How’s everyone doing tonight?”

Step one. Create a distraction.

Greystone headed into the parking lot, and Erik hurried to catch up.

“You drive a McLaren, you’re in tight with The Fixer,” Erik said. “What do you do?”

“If I tell you, I’ll have to slit your throat,” Greystone said.

Erik stopped dead in his tracks.

Greystone chuffed out a laugh. “I’m messin’ with you.” After a second, he said, “She’s fast. Go easy with her.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t get pulled over.”

“Right.”

“Hang tight. I’ll be back with one of the dancers.”

Erik looked around. “Where’s the car?”

“I parked on the street.”

Just then, two black SUV’s pulled up and blocked them in.

Four BLACK OPS, dressed in black, their faces covered in ski masks, surrounded them.

Erik started to run. Greystone grabbed him, held his head down.

Someone shoved a needle into his neck. Greystone turned Erik’s phone off, handed it to one of the BLACK OPS.

Two different OPS shoved him into the back seat where another OP waited, a gun in their hands.

A second lay in the cargo area, a gun pointed at Erik’s head.

Greystone buckled him in, shut the door .

The team bolted to their vehicles and drove out. In less than twenty seconds, Sajid Haqazzii had vanished.

Greystone swept the parking lot. He was alone. Caroline had been right. Develin was the perfect distraction. He strode back toward the front door, caught Sin’s attention.

“Let’s get you back inside,” Sin said.

“I gave him twenty,” Greystone said.

Sin pulled out a twenty. “So will I.”

“Mr. Develin, go on in,” said the line manager.

“This is for Mr. Stone,” Sin said.

The bouncer tossed a nod at Greystone. “Mr. Stone already took care of me.”

“Take it,” Greystone urged.

The bouncer accepted the money. Sin shook Greystone’s hand, slipped into the back of the limo, and the vehicle drove away.

The employee opened the door for Greystone. “Thanks, Mr. Stone.”

Greystone entered the club. From here on out, it was game on. They’d gotten a break and they were running with it. Despite that, Greystone was confident Sajid Haqazzii would not break.

Even so, he was going forward, full-tilt. As he climbed the stairs, excitement pounded through him. These men were the worst of the worst—Greystone’s favorite kind of evil.

As he made his way toward their table, Caroline looked over.

Determination and love shone from her eyes.

Now, he had hella more to fight for. He had the love of an amazing woman.

A delicate flower with the heart of a soldier.

Tough, feminine, brilliant, and beautiful.

Together, they would get the job done. This lucky break had changed everything.

He could feel the energy turning in their favor.

Bolstered by that, he cracked a smile.

Erik is taking the ride of his life.

CAROLINE

After Grey sat, Caroline spun her phone around. “We’ve been busy.”

Diamond rings filled the screen. Caroline swiped and diamond earrings filled the next page.

“Nice.”

JL nodded, a smile filling her face. “I feel so much better.” Then, she glanced around. “Where’s Erik?”

“I gave him my keys, told him to take the McLaren for a spin.”

JL’s eyes widened. “You just gave him your million-dollar car?”

“Yeah. What’s the prob?”

“Knowing him, he’ll drive to New York City and call you from there,” she replied.

“He said he’d be back in ten, fifteen tops. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up buyin’ one.”

“Where does he live?” Caroline asked.

“In a beautiful high-rise condo in Tysons.” JL’s shoulders sagged. “Well, that’s what he tells me anyway.”

“You haven’t seen it?” Caroline asked.

The server returned and Grey settled up.

“No,” JL replied. “We’re at work, we’re out—usually here—or we’re at my townhouse.”

“He’s not married, is he?” Grey asked.

“Married! Why would you say that?” JL drained her wine glass.

“You’ve never seen his home,” he replied. “How long have you been going out?”

“A few months.” After a beat, she asked, “You don’t think he’s married, do you? ”

“I would definitely get an invite to his home,” Caroline said.

Concern clouded JL’s eyes. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Grey shifted the conversation to JL’s business, asking her several questions about her company. Caroline was anxious to hear what had happened outside. And she was eager to learn what Erik—Sajid Haqazzii—knew about the Day of Destruction, though she doubted he’d betray his group.

Fifteen minutes after Grey had come back inside, he asked JL, “Have you heard from him?”

JL checked her phone. “No, nothing.”

“I didn’t get his number,” Grey said.

“Let me give it to you.” As JL recited it, he entered it into his phone.

“Let’s go outside,” he said. “He’s probably out there surrounded by a small crowd.”

In the parking lot, JL said, “I’m surprised he’s not back yet.”

“As I was walking back inside, I saw one of the dancers hurry to the car,” Grey lied.

“Oh, boy,” Caroline said. “That’s not good.”

A groan ripped from JL. “God, no. That would suck. Are you sure?”

Staying silent, Grey arched an eyebrow.

JL pulled out her phone, dialed. “Did she get in with him?”

He paused for a long second. “She might have.”

“I’m so over this.” JL put the phone to her ear, then shook her head. “It rolled to voicemail. That son of a bitch.”

“I’m sorry,” Caroline said. “Are you gonna be okay going home by yourself?”

JL sighed. “Yeah. I knew he was too good to be true.”

“Has he ghosted on you before?” Caroline asked.

“A month ago, he went missing from work for three days. I didn’t hear from him all weekend either. Then, on Monday he walked in like it was biz as usual.”

“What did he say?” Caroline asked .

“Nothing,” she barked. “He said he had something he had to take care of.”

“I woulda fired his ass,” Grey said.

“I probably should have.”

“We’ll walk you to your car,” he said.

At JL’s sedan, Caroline hugged her. “Text me as soon as he shows up.”

JL’s eyes grew moist. “I’m sorry he’s not back. I can’t believe he stole your car. Do you need me to give you a ride?”

“We drove separately,” Caroline lied. “I’ve got my car.”

After JL drove away, they walked to his SUV. He opened the passenger door, waited while she climbed in. Then, he kissed her.

“Ready to have some fun?” he asked.

“I can’t wait to hear what happened.”

He got in, and they took off toward the Black Site.

“I told him I’d ask one of the dancers if she wanted to ride with him,” Grey began. “Effin’ slimeball was so jacked.”

“Yeah, I felt sorry for Jennifer Leigh.”

“ I felt sorry for her, and I’m no empath.”

She chuckled. “My assassin boyfriend. I can’t wait to introduce you to Mom and Dad.”

“I can’t wait to meet ‘em.”

“What happened next?”

He described the sequence of events, from Sin’s arrival in a limo to BLACK OPS’ taking Haqazzii.

“Nice work. Did someone turn off his phone?”

“I did.”

She patted his leg. “What about checking him for a tracking device?”

“Shit.”

Caroline called Addison, put her on speaker.

Seconds later, Addison answered. “Are you on your way?”

“Yeah. Did someone search him for a tracking device? ”

“Let me ask,” Addison replied. “Slash, was he cleared for a tracking device?” Silence, then Addison said, “He was, and the guys found nothing. See you soon.”

The line went dead.

“I hope they checked his crevice,” Caroline said.

“Well, I’m not checkin’ his asshole.” Grey drove into the upscale Great Falls neighborhood and pulled over.

“Scaredy-cat,” Caroline said. “If an army of terrorists descend on the Black Site, you’ll wish you had.”

“I’d take ‘em all out.” After a beat he said, “The only crevice I’m goin’ near is yours.”

She shot him a smile before confirming they weren’t being followed. Twice more, he stopped and waited.

Once at the Black Site, as they were making their way inside, Caroline texted Addison. “We’re here.”

Seconds later, Addison and Slash strode toward them. Both women were dressed in black, both had ski masks in their hands.

“Let’s get you changed,” Slash said.

“Have you met Slash?” Addison asked.

Grey had, but Caroline hadn’t.

After introductions, Grey said, “You’re close with my grandmother, Elsa.”

Slash smiled. “I adore her. I heard you’re the renegade the fam’s been talking about. Being a black sheep myself, I can relate.” She shot Caroline a smile. “I read your file. I’m stoked to have you on board.” She flicked her gaze back to Grey. “You’re alive because of her.”

He shot Caroline a smile. “Don’t I know it.”

The group hurried toward the locker rooms.

“Your clothes and armor are on the bench,” Slash said to Grey. “Wait for us here. We’ll take you to Haqazzii.”

In the women’s locker room, Caroline got busy changing into her gear .

After a beat, Slash said, “You were on a date.”

Caroline said nothing as she regarded Slash.