Page 40 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)

Carrera and Slash brought them into the kitchen. All three of his brothers stood there, shoulder to shoulder. The people he’d once loved more than anyone in the world. The reasons he left, but not the reason he returned.

Now, sixteen years later, he was ready to deal with whatever shit they flung at him.

No longer a scared teen, he’d stared death in the eyes, spent his life defending his country and chasing evil.

If he couldn’t handle his brothers, then his entire life, and the sacrifices he’d made, had been for naught.

Teddy bounded over. “You made it! I got news, but we’ll talk shop later.” Next, Teddy hugged Caroline. “Welcome to the fam.”

Greystone’s brother, Gabriel, sauntered over. He hadn’t changed. Older, yes, but he still wore his dark brown hair to his shoulders. Still wore the same pissed-off expression on his face.

“Gabriel.”

“Greystone.”

The two brothers eyed each other like two bulls about to do battle. Then, Gabriel broke into a grin and extended his hand. When Greystone shook it, Gabriel pulled him in for a hug.

And Greystone felt like his life was shifting back into place.

“Brother, it’s damn good to see you,” Gabriel said as he regarded him. “You look like a lion with all that hair. And you got big.”

“He’s bigger than I am,” Teddy said. “But he’s my motivation to spend more time in the gym.”

Luciano joined them. “Teddy, why is everything a competition with you?”

“I’ve been playing catch up with you three my whole life,” Teddy protested.

Gabriel jumped his gaze to Caroline and arched an eyebrow. “Make me a happy, happy man and tell me you’re not with this one.” Gabriel thumbed in Greystone’s direction.

“Easy there, lady eater,” Luciano said to Gabriel.

Greystone stroked Caroline’s back, had to make that connection. “This is Caroline. My brothers Gabriel and Luciano.”

“Hello,” Caroline said.

His grandmother entered the room. As she made her way over, the brothers stepped aside, like Moses parting the Red Sea. “Sono così felice che tu sia qui. Ero preoccupato che non ti saresti fatto vedere.”

Greystone pulled her into a hug. “No worries, G-ma. I made it.”

After she broke away, she clasped his hand, regarded him for a few seconds, then shifted to each of the brothers. “This is a very happy day for me. I’m sorry your dad can’t see this. He would be so proud.” Then, she regarded Greystone. “Grazie per essere tornato a casa, Greystone.”

“è bello essere a casa, Elsa,” Greystone replied.

“Translate,” Slash said joining the group.

“G-ma told Grey it’s good to have him home,” Teddy said .

“And I told her it’s good to be home,” Greystone replied before regarding Caroline. “G-ma, this is Caroline Austin. This is our grandmother, Elsa Santini.”

Elsa’s smile was a little guarded. “Welcome Caroline. I’m happy Greystone brought you with him.”

“Thank you for having me, Mrs. Santini.”

“Elsa, please. How do you know Greystone?”

“We work together.”

“You’re in the Navy too?”

“I’m an analyst,” Caroline replied.

“Wonderful,” Elsa said.

Carrera held up the Santini bottle of wine. “From Greystone and Caroline. Who wants a glass?”

Everyone but Caroline and Greystone.

Slash put an arm around Caroline and walked her into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she was pouring two glasses of water. Caroline handed one to Greystone, then drank down most of the liquid in her glass.

“Tempo di mangiare,” Elsa said before breaking away from the brothers. “Amanda May, why don’t you and Caroline help me?”

Minutes later, everyone was seated at the large kitchen table.

“Greystone, will you say grace, please?” Elsa asked.

He bowed his head.

“Padre Celeste, grazie per avermi riportato a casa. Grazie per la mia famiglia e per il loro caloroso benvenuto. Grazie per Caroline. Per favore, benedicici. Nel nome di Gesù. Amen.”

To his surprise, tears filled his grandmother’s eyes.

“Please start.” Elsa pushed away from the table.

Greystone watched his beloved grandmother make her way out of the kitchen and vanished down the hall.

“Did that upset her?” Slash asked.

“That was beautiful, Grey,” Luciano said .

Greystone acknowledged his brother.

“Translate,” Slash said.

“I got this,” Teddy said. “Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me home. Thank you for my family and their warm welcome. Thank you for Caroline. Please bless us. In Jesus' name. Amen.’”

“Thank you,” Caroline whispered.

“That answers my question about Caroline,” Gabriel said. “Lucky you, Greystone.”

“I gotta bring Elsa back.” Greystone gave Caroline’s shoulder a little squeeze. “Two minutes.” One chaste kiss before he went in search of his grandmother.

He found her sitting in a chair in her bedroom. She had a tissue in her hand and she was staring out the window.

“Can I come in?” Greystone asked from the doorway.

“Of course.”

Greystone knelt in front of her chair. “You okay?”

“It took sixteen years for God to answer my prayer and bring you home,” she said. “Why did you leave us?”

Greystone chugged in a breath. “I had to.”

“Did something happen?”

“Sì.”

“Dimmi.”

He shook his head. “I need to tell them first.”

“Era male, non è vero?”

“Sì,” he replied. “It was bad, but I’m home.”

“Were you really in the Navy?”

“Yes. I’m a Lieutenant Commander, but I’m on special assignment.”

“With Caroline?”

“Sí.”

“Which is?”

“Can I come in?” Slash asked from the doorway.

Greystone tossed her a nod .

Slash walked in, regarded Greystone. “Elsa knows more than she should.” Slash smiled at the older woman. “She’s a great secret keeper.”

Greystone eyed his grandmother. “Not a word.”

Elsa nodded. “Hai la mia parola. You have my word, Greystone.”

“I’m on special assignment with the CIA.”

Elsa’s eyes grew large. “The CIA?”

“I’m gonna get back out there before Gabriel makes a move on my woman.” Greystone chuckled. “Some things never change.” He held out a hand to Elsa. “C’mon.”

She stood, slipped her small hand into his large one. Together, they returned to the kitchen.

Caroline was laughing hysterically and Greystone’s heart took off in his chest. The joy on her face was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“You guys were the worst,” Caroline said to Greystone, as he, Elsa, and Slash sat back down.

“We’re telling her the story about how the three of you put me in a stack of tires and left me there,” Teddy said.

Elsa put her hand over her heart. “Poor Teddy. He was three and they just left him there.” Then, she smiled. “But we got back at them, didn’t we?”

Greystone glanced at the people he’d once been the closest with.

Brothers he’d fought with and played with.

His best friends in the world, the ones he’d turned to when their parents fought, when his dad would commit yet another crime, when his mom would take off for days and not tell anyone where she was.

The mayhem never stopped, but the people around the table had been his constants.

His rocks.

The conversation stayed light, the laugher came easy. When they finished eating, Greystone clasped Caroline’s hand, rested them on his lap .

“Uh-oh, Greystone is about to do something naughty,” Gabriel scolded.

More laughter.

On a chuckle, Greystone said, “Gabriel, I’ve missed calling you an idiot.”

“Simone Reddington is approaching the front door,” announced a computer voice.

“That’s a cool toy,” Greystone said.

“It’s part of Hawk’s security systems,” Carrera explained.

The doorbell rang.

“Excuse me.” Luciano left, returning with his fiancée.

She smiled warmly at Greystone. “I’m glad you’re here.” Her gaze jumped to Caroline. “I’m Simone.” She shook Caroline’s hand.

“Caroline,” she replied.

“It’s good to meet you,” Simone said.

“Same.”

“Grey, I need your address,” Simone said. “We’re mailing wedding invitations and Luciano told me you’re a groomsman.”

“Yup,” Greystone said. “Caroline?”

“I’d love to,” Caroline replied.

“Done,” Greystone pulled out his phone. A few seconds later, Luciano’s phone binged.

“You have couple speak,” Elsa said. “Grandpa and I had that.”

“Couple speak?” Greystone asked.

Elsa cast a smile in their direction. “Abbreviated talking, like a secret language.”

Caroline laughed. “Grey isn’t a big talker, so it’s more about me figuring out what he’s saying than a secret language, but I love that.”

Elsa rose. “Simone, let’s get you something to eat.”

While Simone ate, Slash made coffee. After it had brewed, Elsa brought out a chocolate cake .

Greystone read the words written in white frosting:

Benvenuti a casa, Greystone

“Thank you,” Greystone said to his grandmother.

“Not my idea,” Luciano said.

Greystone slid his gaze to his brother, but he chose to stay silent.

“Lulu, no,” Elsa said.

“Luciano,” Simone echoed. “Don’t be difficult.”

“Greystone, you hired Willie Boy to help manage the restaurant,” Luciano said.

Greystone stayed silent.

Luciano glanced at Gabriel, then at Teddy.

“We gotta talk,” Teddy said as he threw his arm around Greystone’s shoulder. “On the porch.”

“I’m good,” Greystone pushed back.

“Bro, it’s important,” Teddy said.

“Dieci minuti. Devi sapere cosa sta succedendo,” Gabriel added. “Ten minutes. You gotta know what’s going on.”

“Per favore,” Luciano insisted.

Greystone placed his arm on Caroline’s back, gave her an affectionate caress. “I’ll be back.”

She offered a little nod, an encouraging smile.

On the screened porch, his brothers sat around the high-top, dining table. Greystone stood behind his chair, gripped the back with his hands.

“Willie Boy is dangerous,” Luciano said.

He looked too stupid to be dangerous, but Greystone stayed silent.

“Years ago, Uncle Enzo went to prison,” Luciano continued. “He asked me to run the business with Willie Boy, but told me I should give him a job to keep him busy. ”

“Enzo didn’t think he was smart enough to run the business,” Gabriel added.

“Willie Boy didn’t like that his father chose me over him,” Luciano continued, “so he arranged to have me killed.”