Page 8 of Renegade (The Santini Assassins #2)

“You’re very handsome. I’m not normally this bold, but you’ve got the most beautiful hair. ”

“Thanks.”

Tara exited. “All good.”

“Enjoy your evening,” he said to the guest.

Greystone knocked on the family restroom door. No response. He tried the handle. Locked. He banged on the door. “Management. Open up.”

“I’ll be right out,” said a woman.

“Don’t say that,” said a man. “Tell him you’re gonna be a few.”

Greystone glanced at Tara. She rolled her eyes. “I hate when this happens. It’s super gross.”

Greystone pounded on the door. “You got three seconds to detach.”

He pulled out the master keyring, started counting. On three, he slid the key into the lock, turned the handle, pushed open the door.

A man and a woman were screwing against the wall, though it looked like the dude was having a hard time getting it in.

“Playtime’s over,” Greystone said.

“Don’t touch me,” said the woman, “or I’ll press charges for assault.”

“I’m calling the police,” Tara said, as she pulled out her phone and snapped their pictures.

“Oh, fuck, don’t do that.” The guy shoved his dick into his pants and zipped up. “You can’t even go out for dinner and have a decent meal without some dickwad interrupting your evening.”

“Don’tcha hate that?” Greystone asked.

Tara bit back a laugh.

In silence, Greystone escorted them out. The woman returned to her table where she was dining with a man and another couple. The man eyed her, then flicked his attention to Greystone .

“Everything okay, honey?”

“Yeah, no problem,” replied the woman.

Greystone hitched an eyebrow at her before escorting the man back to the bar.

At the hostess stand, Greystone addressed the waiting crowd. “Thanks for your patience. Tara, who can I seat?”

“I got this, boss.”

“I’ll help you.”

She shot him a grateful smile. After checking-in the first group, she handed him four menus. “Number seventeen.”

He escorted the four women to their table, handed them their menus. “Enjoy your evening.”

Next, he seated a couple, then returned to front of house. Slowly, the crowd thinned until all guests had been taken care of. Just as he was about to check on his bartenders, the door to the restaurant opened and an older gentleman sauntered in.

Greystone glanced over, then did a double take.

No fuckin’ way.

His worst goddamn nightmare had returned. Greystone’s fingers itched for his weapon. His Glock sat tucked in the back of his pants, beneath his suit jacket. Despite being in a crowded restaurant, he’d use it, if provoked.

I’d shoot to kill… and I would not miss.

Instead of showing emotion, he kept his expression flat and stayed silent.

His uncle approached the hostess counter. “Table for one.”

As Greystone stared down at a man he barely recognized, the past sixteen years flashed by in a second.

The fear, the heartache, the loneliness.

Then hope, determination, allegiance, pain, suffering, achievement and success.

One success that led to another and another and another.

The terrified kid had grown into a fierce fighter filled with loyalty, grit, and the ability to turn the impossible into possible.

On the other hand, sixty-year-old Enzo Santini had gotten fat.

His too-small polyester suit did little to hide his paunch.

The bags under his shadowed eyes gave away his age, the snarl on his upper lip made it look like he was seconds from baring his teeth, but it was the gold chains draped over his hairy chest that told the true tale.

Enzo Santini was a low-class hoodlum who’d come back to claim something that had never been his in the first place.

“You aren’t welcome here,” Greystone growled.

The old man’s eyes widened. “Who the hell are you to tell me that in my own restaurant?”

Greystone walked around the counter. The closer he got to the old man, the wider his eyes grew.

“Jesus, it’s you,” the man murmured.

“Back from hell, like you,” Greystone replied.

His uncle narrowed his gaze, his nostrils flared, and he cracked his knuckles. This tactic had worked on him as a kid, but now? He wanted to laugh, then lift the son of a bitch by his cheap shirt collar, throw him against the wall, and break every bone in his motherfucking body.

“This is my restaurant, kid, and I demand to be seated. My regular table is in the private dining room.”

The door opened, a group of six entered, their laughter reminding Greystone that he was at his family’s restaurant. He pasted on a smile as Tara hurried over.

“Welcome to Santini Ristorante,” Greystone said.

As Tara checked in the group, Greystone wrapped a firm hand around his uncle’s arm and escorted him out.

On the sidewalk, Enzo yanked his arm away. “You got some nerve coming back here. One phone call and it’s all over for you. My word against yours.”

This man knew nothing about him. Absolutely nothing. There was no way anyone would believe this convicted felon over him. No fucking way.

“You gotta go,” Greystone said. “And don’t come back. ”

“Are you the owner?” Enzo barked.

He wasn’t.

In truth, none of the brothers owned the restaurant. The family owned the building and, according to Teddy, Luciano hired a lawyer to create a shell company that protected the establishment from being owned by one single person. It was owned by the Santini family.

“If you don’t walk, I’ll unleash a lifetime on anger on you,” Greystone growled.

Enzo got in his face, grabbed his shirt collar. “I’m not scared of you, kid, but you should be pissing your pants right about now. I’ve looked into the eyes of the devil and scared the fuck out of him. This is my restaurant and I’m gonna take it back.”

Greystone yanked Enzo’s hand off his shirt and twisted it around, forcing his uncle to contort.

“I love pain. It reminds me that I’m still alive, unlike your dad.” Then, Enzo spat on the ground. “That’s what I think of you, you snot-nosed little shit. If you think you can push me around, you have no idea who the fuck you’re dealing with.”

Greystone released him and Enzo spun toward him, hatred spewing from his beady, brown eyes.

“You might have looked into the eyes of the devil, but I am the devil, and I will annihilate you,” Greystone growled.

Surprise flashed in his uncle’s eyes before he waddled into the parking lot. Greystone yanked open the restaurant door and strode inside.

As far as he was concerned, Enzo Santini was a dead man. He’d been waiting sixteen long years to exact his revenge, and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

Shaking off the hatred, he glanced around.

The restaurant was filled to capacity. He was there to oversee the eatery, all while gearing up for his meeting at the Black Site.

He’d been brought back to stop a group of killers because he was the right man for the job. No way would he let BLACK OPS down .

Caroline’s sister, Sydney, hurried over. “Can we talk, real quick?”

“What’s goin’ on?” Greystone asked.

Sydney glanced around. “Do you have an office or somewhere we can talk in private?”

CAROLINE

Caroline was having a great time at her birthday dinner. She’d finished eating a full plate of the best Italian food before relocating to a different spot at the table to catch up with her close friend, Jennifer Leigh.

Jennifer Leigh, who went by JL, wore her brown hair in a cute bob, her skirts short, and her fingernails long.

Though they’d been friends for years, the two were very different.

Caroline wasn’t one to brag, but JL was a self-admitted narcissist who loved talking about herself and how perfect her life was.

“How’s the exciting world of government contracts?” Caroline asked.

JL owned a successful janitorial services business that cleaned a lot of the government office buildings in DC.

“Fab,” JL replied. “I’m rolling in the bucks, babe. Say the word and I’ll hire you. I’ve actually got an open manager position that you’d be perfect for.”

“I’m good where I am.”

For years, Caroline had told her friends and family she was a government analyst. After repeating that enough times, they’d grown bored and had stopped asking.

“Seriously, Car, you should consider it,” JL said. “I know you don’t talk about your low-level job because it’s embarrassing. You deserve better than being some assistant. At least let me interview you. If you get it great, but if not, we’ll still be friends.”

Caroline forced herself not to roll her eyes. “No thanks.”

JL set her hand, palm-down, on the table. “Notice anything new?”

Caroline stared at her friend’s perfectly sculpted fingernails, then at her own. “I definitely need a manicure. I haven’t had a spa day in forever.”

“Nope, not it.” JL wiggled her ring finger on her right hand showing off an opal solitaire set in gold.

Caroline peered at the shiny, pastel-colored ring. “That’s pretty.”

Then, JL pointed to her matching earrings.

“Look at you, all opally and everything,” Caroline said.

“My new boyfriend gave them to me on our three-month anniversary.” She beamed. “He’s the best. He’s from Dubai. He’s world-traveled and very exotic. I can’t wait for you to meet him!”

“What’s his name?”

“Erik. Erik Johnston.”

“He’s from Dubai?”

“Well, he was living in Dubai, but he mentioned something about being from the UK.”

“Oh, I love British accents, don’t you?”

“He doesn’t have one.”

Caroline furrowed her brow. This conversation was becoming too much work for her. JL had a new boyfriend and she’d leave it at that.

As soon as Caroline drained her water goblet, their assigned waiter hurried over to refill it. “Can I get you anything else before we bring in your birthday cake?” he asked.

Caroline cracked a smile. “There’s cake?”

“Yes, ma’am. ”

Caroline glanced around, but Sydney was missing and a few of her friends were still eating. “Let’s wait a little longer.”

“Of course,” he replied.

Caroline turned back to Jennifer Leigh. “Pics?” Caroline asked.

JL’s shoulders dropped. “Erik’s my camera-shy honey pie. He hates the way he looks in photos, so no pics. I’d love for you to meet him.”

“Sure.”

“I think he might be the one .”

Up went Caroline’s eyebrows. “For real?”

Over the years, JL had had several boyfriends, been head over heels with each of them, but she’d never once mentioned a forever man.

“Maybe. We’ll see. I mean, three months is fast?—”

“When you know, you know,” Caroline said. “That’s what my mom says.”

JL nodded. “Your parents are soooo cute. I love seeing them together.”

“I know, except it makes Sydney and me wonder if they had all the luck when it comes to love.”

JL playfully smacked her arm. “Don’t say that. Your prince is out there. You just haven’t found him yet.”

“I’m okay being single,” Caroline replied. “But if I did find my person, I’d be okay with that too.”

“Oh, c’mon,” JL protested. “You want what your parents have. I mean, who wouldn’t?”

Jennifer Leigh was right. Her parents were very happy together. They were annoyingly adorable, even after being married for decades.

“If I don’t find my person, I’ll get a dog.”

JL laughed. “Maybe Erik has a brother. I’ll check.”

Caroline thought of Grey. How he hauled her close, kissed her like his life depended on it, and turned her inside out when he looked into her eyes.

She would do it again, in a heartbeat. Only next time, she’d run her fingers through his long, tousled, hair, then strip him naked and really have herself some fun.

The absolute dirtiest kind.

“It’s okay,” Caroline said. “I’ve kinda got my eye on someone, but I’m playing things chill.”

GREYSTONE

Greystone led Caroline’s sister to the office, sat behind the desk. After easing onto one of the leather guest chairs, Sydney pulled her long dark hair over to one side, leaned forward, and regarded Greystone.

“I want to give my sister a birthday present she’ll absolutely love, and I’m hoping you can help me.”

“Whatcha need?”

“You,” Sydney replied.

He stared at her. “Say what?”

“After we finish up here, some of us are headed to Lost Souls. It’s a cosplay club, but costumes are optional.

Dancing on the first floor, but upstairs in the private suites, members can act out scenes or do whatever.

That’s where you come in. I reserved a room for her tonight at ten-thirty and I want you want to give her a birthday present she’ll never forget. ”

Greystone regarded her for a few seconds.

He’d never hooked up with anyone he’d worked with, but as Austin’s beautiful face and rockin’ body popped into his thoughts, he said, “I’m in.”

Sydney grinned. “Perfect! Do you have any condoms?”

Leaning back in the chair, he chuffed out a laugh. “On me? No.”

“Okay, so can you stop and grab whatever you like? She’s on the Pill—it’s TMI, I know, but I want her to have fun, so that means you gotta glove up.”

“For one, she’s kinda pissed at me?—”

“You ghosted on her.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m the older sis. I know all.”

He hitched an eyebrow at her, but she stayed quiet.

“And second, she’s not gonna have sex with me,” he continued.

“Because you work together?”

“You know too damn much.”

Sydney scooted to the edge of the chair. “Here’s the deal. She won’t know it’s you. I’m going to blindfold her and if you don’t do a lot of talking?—”

“No prob there.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I heard you’re not a chatterbox. Once I know the room number, I’ll text you.”

“I’m not a member.”

“I’ll get you on the list.”

“She’ll hook up with a stranger?”

“She trusts me and I’ll promise her it’s not some creep.” Sydney cocked her head. “You aren’t, are you?”

“I’m the worst kind.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Again, Sydney laughed. “Perfect. I was having the hardest time getting her a present this year?—”

“This party wasn’t it?”

“This— you —will be much better.” She pulled her phone from her pocket. “What’s your number?”

He rattled it off, she texted him. He pulled out his phone and replied.

“If you do anything perverted—” Sydney warned.

“If I’m not talkin’, how will I know what she likes?”

“She loves kissing. Ohmygod, if you’re a good kisser, you’re golden. She’s into sensory deprivation, but she hasn’t done that in a long time. Because of her job, she hasn’t really done much of anything.”

Neither have I.

Sydney rose, opened the door, turned back. “Don’t break her heart.”

“Break her heart? Isn’t this a birthday hookup?”

Sydney pointed her finger at him before shutting the door behind her.

I’m giving the most beautiful badass I’ve ever met a birthday fuck.

Greystone leaned back and chuffed out a laugh.

Welcome home, Greystone.