Page 63 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)
One Month Later, End of June
CAROLINE
C aroline finished reading the last page of the novel, closed the book, and went in search of a tissue. After digging one from her handbag, she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Wow, that was so good.
She flicked her gaze to the rock of a man by her side. And she smiled. Grey had fallen asleep five minutes after they’d boarded the chartered plane.
The past two weeks had been intense.
After a few convos, she and Grey had decided to join Tank in Boston. While she’d hoped to spend a little time touring the great city with its rich history and fabulous shopping, she’d been doing little more than working… and loving her man.
Turns out, Tank was just as much of a beast as her fiancé. Maybe more so. The man worked nonstop, except for the hour every day he spent working out .
Much to their extreme disappointment and frustration, the Haqazzii terror cell had done an outstanding job of ghosting.
The trio had chased down every lead—no matter how small—but the trail had gone stone cold.
Two weeks wasn’t nearly enough time, but they had to return to the DMV for Luciano and Simone’s wedding.
“Hey, babe,” Grey’s deep timbre was a welcome interruption to her nonstop thoughts.
When she glanced over, his expression morphed into concern as he furrowed his brow. “Were you crying?”
“I finished the book Addison loaned me.” She held up the novel penned by Stoni Alexander.
“Was that your first romance?”
“Yes, but it’s not my last. I already know which of her stories I’m reading next.” She shot him a smile. “And I picked out a naughty scene to read to you tonight.”
He straightened up in the seat. “That sounds fun.”
“F is for fun… and for a lot of other fun things.”
He caressed her cheek with the back of his finger.
“Addison said Hawk likes it.”
He chuffed out a laugh. “TMI.”
She smiled. “I was surprised.”
“’Bout what?”
“Stoni Alexander writes about ALPHA and BLACK OPS.”
Grey’s eyebrows jutted into his forehead. “For real?”
“Yes.”
“How can she do that?”
“It’s fiction, but I gotta say… it’s pretty realistic. Anyway, this book”— she held it up again— “was packed with sexy times, villains, suspense, and love. You might like it.”
“I’m gonna enjoy my bedtime stories with my woman and leave Stoni’s books to you.” He leaned over, kissed her. After glancing out the window, he asked, “How long was I asleep?”
“We’re landing soon, so pretty much the whole flight. ”
“We need a vacay,” he said.
She grinned. “That sounds fun.” Her phone buzzed and she read the text from Addison.
I turned everything I had over to FBI. JL’s company is under a formal investigation. She claimed to know nothing, but they’re seizing her equipment. She was cooperating, but the agent told me she’s become hostile. Might get arrested
After Caroline read the text to Grey, she said, “She’s gonna mess this up for herself. She’s her own worst enemy.”
“Have you heard from her?”
“Nope, and that’s fine by me.” After a beat, she said, “I’d like to vacation in Italy.”
He nodded. “I can make that happen. How’s July?”
“I’d love that.”
“Consider it done.”
“Just like that?”
“Whatever Bella wants, Bella gets.” He blanketed her thigh with his hand. “That reminds me, the jeweler texted me. Your engagement ring is ready for pick-up.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “Great.”
Greystone’s phone rang. He answered, put the call on speaker. “Hey, Mom, you’re on speaker. Caroline and I are flying back from Boston.”
“Perfect timing. Hi, Caroline.”
“Hi, Evelyn, how are you?”
“Doing great. I have good news. Greystone, the President got your deployment waived for two years.”
He grinned. “That’s great.”
“He said, and I quote, ‘I’d like to see if we can assign an F-18 to BLACK OPS. That way, Commander Santini can command the skies at a moment’s notice.’ ”
Greystone smiled. “Now, we’re gettin’ somewhere. I appreciate your help, Mom.”
He ended the call, shifted toward Caroline. “BLACK OPS and flying now, TOPGUN later.”
They came together in tender kiss. “I like the way you think, Grey.”
“And down the road, we make some babies.”
“I’m all-in,” she replied with a smile.
“Good afternoon, we’re starting our descent into DC,” the captain announced. “Just another ten minutes and we’ll be back on the ground.”
“Not for long,” Grey said. “I’m spending the afternoon at JBAB, flying with Jamal.”
Caroline glanced out the window. “Perfect flying conditions.”
“What are you doin’, Austin?”
“I’m headed to the Black Site to hunt me down some terrorists,” she murmured.
“We’ll swing by the jeweler on our way home tonight.”
“And we’ll celebrate at Santini Ristorante,” she replied. “I’ll see if Elsa, Slash, and Carrera can join us. What about inviting Luciano and Simone?”
“Their wedding is this weekend. They’ll probably pass,” he said. “What about your sister?”
Caroline sighed. “She’s out of town.”
“Again?”
Caroline nodded. “I miss her soooo much.”
“Where is she?”
“She wouldn’t tell me, and she went dark.”
“I’m sure she’ll surface at some point and have an exciting story to share.”
“I just want her to be safe.”
“Your sister is a firecracker,” Grey said. “She’s gonna be just fine. I’m sure of it.”
Three Days Later
GREYSTONE
Greystone needed to focus up. Luciano was getting married that evening, but his thoughts were still locked on their unsuccessful recon work in Boston. If Muhammad Haqazzii was there, he was well hidden.
“Grey,” Caroline said, snapping him back to the present. “Stop obsessing.”
He flashed her a smile. “How can you tell?”
She stopped in front of a hotel suite door. “Because I know you… and you’re a million miles away.”
“I know you’ve been obsessing over the case as well.”
“True,” Caroline replied, “but I’m giving myself the night off. You should too.” She leaned up, kissed him, then knocked on the door.
Slash opened it, shot them a smile. “Hey, guys. Welcome back.”
Greystone kissed Caroline goodbye. “Text me when you’re ready, babe.”
“Aren’t you riding to the cathedral with the wedding party?” Slash asked him.
“No,” Grey replied. “We’re driving over together. Need a ride?”
“I’m driving, so Carrera and I have a getaway vehicle,” Slash replied.
Grey offered Caroline her leather, carry bag, but Slash took it from him. He stole one more kiss from Caroline before she entered the room.
He strode back to the elevators and took one to the hotel’s top floor.
After knocking on the groomsmen’s suite, he was greeted by a man on the wedding planner’s team who brought him to a nearby rack and pulled his just-pressed tux, a crisp black shirt, a black cummerbund, black socks and black shoes.
Then, the staffer escorted him into one of two bedrooms, set down the items, and left.
Dressing on the other side of the spacious room were Carrera and Sin.
“Hey, when’d you get back?” Sin asked.
“Yesterday,” Greystone replied.
“Any luck?” Carrera asked.
“None,” he replied.
Turning his attention to the formal wear, Greystone started to change. After stripping down to his boxer briefs, he pulled on the tux pants. As he was buttoning the dress shirt, Teddy loomed into view, his black bow tie in hand.
“I can’t get this even,” Teddy said. “These should be clip-on.”
Greystone chuckled. “I got you.”
As Greystone tied his brother’s bow tie, Teddy murmured, “I’m heading back to Boston tomorrow. Are you and Caroline coming?”
“No. I’m takin’ the next two weeks to focus on flying.”
Teddy flashed a smile. “Nice. That’ll be good for you.”
Greystone finished tying the knot. “Check it out.”
Teddy eyed himself in a nearby mirror. “Nice.”
Luciano and Gabriel joined them.
“Greystone, it means a lot that you’re here,” Luciano said.
“Same,” Greystone replied.
Luciano extracted two ring boxes from his tux pocket, offered the wedding bands to Greystone. “Be my best man.”
Greystone shifted his attention from Luciano to Gabriel, then to Teddy. Both these brothers were much closer to Luciano than he was.
“I thought Gabriel was your best man,” Greystone said.
Gabriel slapped him on the back. “You should do it. ”
“Take the rings,” Luciano urged.
“You got it, Lulu.” Greystone slipped the rings into his tux pants pocket.
It felt damn good to be back, and even better building relationships with his brothers again.
“Where’s Caroline?” Luciano asked.
“She and Slash are gettin’ ready in a suite,” Greystone replied.
Once the groomsmen had finished dressing, their assigned attendant made his way over.
“Let’s get a few group shots.”
The groomsmen surrounded Luciano and the assistant snapped several photos. “These look great! Let’s get Mr. Santini married, shall we?”
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, the wedding party filed into Washington National Cathedral. Greystone had broken rank. Instead of riding in the limo with the groomsmen, he and Caroline had driven over together.
As they made their way inside, he clasped her hand. “You look stunning, Bella.”
She’d worn an off-the-shoulder black dress, pulled her hair into a beautiful updo that highlighted her diamond earrings.
She smiled. “You look hot, hot, hot.”
Inside they went with the other guests, but rather than head toward the groomsman’s salon, Greystone offered her his arm. “I’ll escort you to your seat.”
She slipped her hand around his biceps and gave him a little squeeze. “Lead the way, Rambo.”
He escorted her past the rows and rows of pews, stopping in front of the sign that said, Reserved for Family. There, he kissed her cheek and waited until she was seated. “Save me a dance.”
“I’ll see what I can do. ”