Power (The Santini Assassins #1)

22. Love, Love, and More Love

22

LOVE, LOVE, AND MORE LOVE

LUCIANO

L uciano was ready to move their relationship forward. He’d found a woman he could build a life with and he wanted her to know. If she didn’t see a possible future together, he would work the case with her and walk away.

Sooner is always better. Later might never come.

Simone had grown silent after he’d asked her about children. Was he pushing?

Only for information.

With a soft hand on his, she said, “I do want children. What about you?”

“Depends on the day,” he replied.

They watched the blip on the tracker as Newburg drove to a bar in Arlington.

“He’s at Mac’s on Lee Highway,” she said. “That place has been around for decades. It’s a landmark.”

He grimaced.

“Not your jam?”

“It’s a shithole.”

“It’s a dive bar. You know, French fries are dripping in decades-old grease. The beer on tap is probably laden with bacteria.” She shot him a smile. “Not everything in life can be a Santini Original. Not everything can be first class.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“Luciano Santini, ruler over all,” she declared.

That made him smile.

SIMONE

Luciano drove to Mac’s, backed into a parking spot in a dark corner of the lot. After they fitted comms into their ears, Simone slid on a dark baseball cap. Luciano pulled on a black knit cap, showed her a photo of Newburg on the State Department website.

“I’m armed, I’m wearing body armor, and I’m ready,” she said.

“You got this.” he replied.

On a nod, she exited the vehicle, squared her shoulders, and headed toward the entrance. The place was busy, but not packed. There were two open seats at the bar, one open table, and two unoccupied booths. After a quick sweep of the patrons, she found Newburg sitting alone in a booth nursing a beer. She kept her head down as she passed him, slid into the back booth, and sat facing out.

Once there, she whispered, “I’ve got eyes on him.”

“Is he alone?” Luciano asked through the comm.

“Yeah.”

The server appeared. “Can I getcha something?”

“Whatever’s light on tap.”

The server moseyed off and she flicked her gaze to the front door. A couple entered, made their way to the bar.

“I used to come in here,” she said to Luciano through the comm.

“When?”

“In my twenties with Frederica. We’d toss back a beer, talk about how much we loved being Special Agents.”

The server returned, set down a napkin and the beer. “Those guys at the bar wanna know if you’re with someone.”

Two guys were waving her over.

“One of the dudes said the drink’s on him.”

“I got this,” Simone said.

“Hey, it’s a free beer.”

“They’re gonna want something for it. I’ll pass.”

“What’s going on?” Luciano asked as one of the men from the bar walked over.

“A guy’s hitting on me,” Simone whispered.

“I’m coming in.”

“I got this.”

“You sure do,” said the stranger.

Simone glared at him. “Not interested.”

“You look like you could use some company,” the stranger pressed.

“I wouldn’t sit there if I were you,” she warned.

“Why the hell not? I can sit wherever I want.”

The door to Mac’s flew open. Luciano’s striking presence hit her like a bolt of lightning. Two seconds later, he was by her side.

“The lady said no,” Luciano growled.

“Fuck off.”

Luciano’s nostrils flared, his eyes turned black, and his fingers curled into fists.

Oh, boy, here we go.

“Walk. Away,” Luciano growled.

The front door opened, Simone glanced over and gasped. “Ohgod.”

Both men turned in her direction.

“Sit,” she said to Luciano. “Now.”

Luciano slid into the booth.

“What the hell?” blurted the stranger.

Simone glared at him. “Get lost before some real shit goes down.”

The guy raised his hands. “Yo, bitch, you don’t need to get all jacked up.” He spun around and walked away.

Simone flicked her gaze to Luciano and her heart beat faster for a very different reason. “I found the white rabbit,” she murmured. “Hirzog’s here.”

Excitement danced in his eyes. “We should say hello.”

Her mouth fell open. “Are you insane?”

His devilish smile sent adrenaline pounding through her. “Yes, I am.”

She snuck a peek at Hirzog. “He’s sitting with Newburg.”

“The white rabbit.” Luciano’s smug expression had her shaking her head.

The server returned to take Luciano’s order. “We’re out.” Luciano paid for Simone’s beer.

“Knowing he’s involved makes me sick to my stomach,” she said.

“He’ll lead us to the next person.”

Simone’s guts churned. “Unless he’s the end of the road.” She glanced over. “We shouldn’t be seen together.”

“I’ll be outside.” He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t make me wait.”

“What will you do if I’m a bad girl?”

“I’ll punish you.”

“All night long?” she asked.

“Until the cock crows in the morning.”

“Lucky me,” she murmured while her gaze drilled into his.

He drew her hand to his and kissed her palm.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

“For what?”

“Helping me heal.”

Her heart filled with love. “Whatever you need. I’m here for you.”

“Goes both ways, baby.” Luciano pushed out of the booth, but instead of walked past Hirzog and Newburg, he vanished into the busy bar area… and was gone.

I’ve fallen and I’ve fallen hard.

Minutes passed while the two men sat and talked. Her attention was diverted when Newburg shoved his large frame out of the booth and headed toward the door.

Simone whispered, “Newburg’s leaving.”

“What about Hirzog?” Luciano murmured through the comm.

“He just stood.”

Hirzog started toward the back of the bar, glanced over, and stopped. “Red!”

“Peter, hi. What a surprise.”

“Are you alone?”

“My brother Gary was supposed to meet me, but he was running late so we just rescheduled.”

“I’ve got to use the restroom. Can you stay for a minute?”

“Do it,” Luciano said into her ear.

“Of course,” she replied.

“You were right,” she whispered into the comm.

“I got lucky,” Luciano replied.

“Damn straight. You met me .”

“Very lucky.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Bait him to talk.”

“I got this,” she whispered.

Two minutes later, Peter slid into the booth across from her.

“What a fun surprise,” Simone said. “Are you here by yourself?”

“I met a friend for a beer.”

She pulled off her baseball cap, ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re looking great. How are you? How’s work?”

“Never better.” He leaned forward. “Can I confide in you?”

Her pulse quickened. “I got you.”

“I’ve been seeing someone, you know, on the side. It’s been a whirlwind, crazy-ass, ride.”

Jerod popped into her thoughts.

“I never pegged you for stepping out of your marriage, especially after what you said about your first wife.”

Peter’s shoulder’s fell. “I know, I know, but I can’t help myself.” His face turned bright red. “It’s not like anything I’ve ever done before.”

“Shit happens.”

“I’m not gay,” he blurted.

“Okkkkaaaaay.”

“I’ve been seeing Jerod. Jerod De Clerq.”

“Jesus,” Luciano murmured in her ear. “Fucking hypocrite.”

“Are you in love?” Simone asked.

“It’s lust. One-hundred percent. He has this kind of psychosexual hold over me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been going to the gym five nights a week. I’m in the best shape of my life. I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s hard to put into words the kind of spell he’s cast on me.”

Simone wasn’t sure where to go with this. “Are you thinking of leaving Lucy?”

He reared back. “God, no. I love my wife, but I can’t stop myself from seeing Jerod. I know I need to break it off with him.”

“No fucking kidding,” Luciano growled.

The situation was not funny, but Luciano’s reactions made her want to laugh.

“How does Jerod feel?” she asked.

He stared at her for the longest time. “I don’t know.”

“That’s a good place to start.”

“Nice,” Luciano whispered.

“Maybe you could talk to him,” Peter said. “Find out how he feels.”

What the hell…

She felt spidery. This was not something she would take on. Jerod had Becca, she was moving to the area for him. Was Jerod bisexual? Was he a closet homosexual? Was his relationship with Peter a manipulation play?

Playing dumb, she asked, “Is Jerod also having an affair?”

“He’s never talked about anyone, so I assumed he’s single,” Peter replied.

“What a cluster fuck,” Luciano whispered.

“I didn’t know his sexual orientation until he came on to me.” Peter leaned close again. “It was the most intense sex I’d ever had in my life. I thought I was gonna lose my mind.”

She wanted to scream, “TMI! TMI!”, but she just nodded. “Sounds like you should talk to him. Find out what next steps could look like for you both.”

At this point, she was channeling her friend and former therapist, Liv Savage.

He heaved in a deep breath, released a long sigh. “You must think I’m a monster.”

“Because you’re gay?” She laughed. “My brother is gay. I adore him and his husband.”

“Because I’m having an affair and I was so angry because my ex had had one.”

“Karma, asshole,” Luciano murmured.

Simone bit back a smile.

“Relationships are complicated,” she said. “I’m the last person who should be giving advice, but I do know that talking helps. Find out where his head and his heart are. Think about your own feelings.”

“I feel intense passion and the worst guilt.” Peter hung his head.

She ran a comforting hand over his. “It’s gonna be okay.”

When he lifted his face, tears glistened in his eyes. “You’ve been so gracious. I’m very grateful you’ve come back into my life.”

She pasted on a smile. “I feel the same way.”

She wanted to ask him about Newburg. She wanted to ask him if he knew anything about a covert crime ring in the government. Did he know about these passports for terrorists who were entering the country?

She would never play her hand, but she would encourage him to continue confiding in her.

“I’m a phone call or text away. I’m here for you, like you were for me.”

“Thank you, Red.”

She shot him a smile. “Of course.”

“I was such a jerk about Luciano Santini. I have no idea why, but Jerod bit my head off. You’d think he and Santini were friends.”

“Are they?” Simone asked.

Peter chuckled. “They don’t even know each other.”

“Hirzog knows nothing,” Luciano murmured. “I met Jerod at Carole Jean’s.”

“I’m sure if you talk to him about your relationship, you’ll know how to move forward,” Simone suggested.

His eyes grew large. “You mean, consider leaving Lucy?”

“If you see a future with Jerod, then, yes. Does she have any idea you’ve been having an affair?”

“God, I hope not.”

“Let me know how your talk with Jerod goes,” she said.

“Thanks for listening,” he said.

She had found the white rabbit. It was Hirzog. Luciano and Z had been right all along. Disappointment tinged her thoughts. Peter used to be one of her heroes.

As they left the bar, the blast of chilly air felt great against her heated skin. She glanced over to where Luciano had backed into the space. Across the lot, their eyes met. In that split second, she could see a life with him. A future with children. She could see it all, maybe even have it all.

He had her heart for as long as he wanted it. But if he couldn’t share a small portion of his with her, she’d have to let him go.

“Thank you, Red,” Peter said. “Can I walk you to your car?”

“I was going to walk you to yours.”

“I want to make sure you get to your car safely.”

Simone stalled. “Hmm, where did I park?”

After Luciano slunk out and vanished into the shadows, she walked over to Luciano’s Range Rover.

There, she hugged Peter. “I’m just a phone call away if you need a friend. You’ve got a great job you’ve worked hard for. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

He scrunched up his face. “What do you mean?”

“Sometimes affairs make people do crazy things. You’ve earned your position at the Bureau and you’re well respected.”

He nodded. “Great advice.”

She got into the car, started the engine.

Once Hirzog was in his car, she whispered into the comm, “All clear.”

“I’m sitting right behind you,” Luciano said.

She startled, then glanced into the rearview mirror. With a smoldering gaze, Luciano winked.

“How’d you get back in?” she asked.

“Ninja.”

She drove out. “He said Jerod’s got a psychosexual hold on him.”

“They’re both lying, cheating scumbags,” Luciano bit out.

“Sounds like Peter’s being manipulated.”

“Or he’s doing the manipulating. Either way, we need some damn answers.”

LUCIANO

Simone stopped at the mansion gates. Luciano gave the guard the code, the gates opened, and she drove up the driveway. Rather than park at the fountain, she continued around back to the underground garage.

As she drove in, Luciano contemplated the irony of Simone’s life. Years earlier, the mansion had been her home. Was she ready to make it her home again?

I want her to live here with me.

With clasped hands, they walked to the elevator. Their breathing had fallen into sync, the pull to draw her into his arms and love her had his blood pounding through his veins. But, tonight, he wanted her to know his true feelings. The ones he’d barely admitted to himself.

In the elevator, she said, “I could use a nightcap.”

The door opened, she took off toward the kitchen. Rather than sit, she pulled a glass from his cabinet. “Am I drinking alone? And don’t think I won’t.”

He loved that, despite the intense pressure she was under, there was a playful tone in her voice.

“Brandy?” he asked.

“Perfect.”

He pulled a bottle of aged brandy from his cabinet, poured two glasses. Together, they sat at the center island.

She raised her glass. “To you, for being so damn patient.”

They tapped glasses, sipped the after-dinner liquor.

“How am I patient?”

“Your methods are different from mine. Mine take time. I have to gather information, build a case, find evidence. Your ways are cunning, manipulative, forceful. They get results fast.”

“You have skill and finesse. You threw Hirzog a lifeline. I would never have done that. I would have taken advantage of the situation and gone for his jugular. Forced a confession.”

Her shoulders fell. “Maybe I should have?—”

“No, you’re handling this right. You can’t force him to give you information. You don’t play your hand, Simone. I love that about you.”

Her pupils dilated, a shadow fell over her face. “ I love how you say my name. It’s the sexiest thing ever.”

He shot her a smile. “No.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, combed his fingers through her long hair. “You, naked, beneath me is the sexiest thing ever.”

A raspy growl shot out of her.

He pushed off the stool. “You. Come with me.”

Up the stairs they went, the urgency to their pace turning him hard with desire. “I want you in my bedroom, in my bed.”

“I want that too.”

He opened his bedroom door, closed it behind her. She was in his arms, kissing him with a passion that had him moaning through their embrace. She was on fire, stroking his tongue with a wild, wild greed.

He slowed the kiss, ended it. “Naked.” He stripped her bare, paused to admire her beautiful feminine form.

“You don’t get to have all the fun,” she rasped. With nimble fingers, she worked to undress him. Seconds later, they were pressed against each other, the heat of her skin on his turning him into a beast.

She raked her fingernails down his back, grabbed his ass and squeezed. His erection was pressed against her, his desire to mate turning him into an animal.

The intensity in her gaze had him growling her name. “Simone, I need you.” He threw back the linens and they tumbled into bed.

“In me,” she gasped between kisses. “I need you in me.”

While fondling her breast, he covered her nipple with his mouth and sucked. The harder he sucked, the firmer her nipple, the more ardent her moans. So much lust passed between them, he ached to bury himself inside her and surrender to the need.

“Ohgod, that feels good,” she bleated. “I love that.”

She moved her hand between her legs.

“My sexy, sexy Simone.”

While he licked her other nipple, she caressed her clit. He stroked her drenched pussy, delicately teasing her sensitive skin. She began undulating beneath him, her growly moans sending jolt after jolt of pure lust pounding through him.

He could come from the way she moved, the erotic way she touched herself, the fucking hot sounds she made.

And then, she started bucking. He kissed her, hard. When she shoved her tongue into his mouth, she convulsed beneath him, crying out. Watching her climax, seeing the ecstasy on her face, made him happy.

In those few seconds, he knew he needed to lean into Simone. She was his second chance at having a life filled with meaning and love… and he was going to take it.

Seconds passed. Her eyes fluttered open and she peered at him with half-hooded eyes.

Never before had he felt so connected to anyone.

She stilled, breathed deep. “Mygod, you undo me.”

“Zhuzhing?”

She smiled. “So much zhuzhing.” Then, she nudged him off her and mounted him. After curling her long fingers around his wet shaft, she took him inside her in one glorious glide. The onslaught of pleasure sent him flying high.

“Fucking good,” he rasped.

She fondled her tits, pulled on her engorged nipples, while she rode his shaft. Hit after hit of euphoria shot through him.

“Do you like the way I’m fucking you, Mr. Santini? Do you like how my pussy is devouring your huge cock?”

Her dirty talk had him grabbing her hips. “You fuck good, baby.”

She stroked her chest, pinched her nipples, and started moving faster. Up and down while the rush filtered into every part of him. So much pleasure. Then, she raised her arms over her head and came down on him completely.

And she stilled. She peered at him with lusty eyes, slickened her pouty lips with her tongue.

“Sit up.”

He did.

She pressed her nipple into his mouth and started moving again, her intensity turning him into a savage beast.

“Fuck me,” she ground out. “And fuck me hard.”

He grabbed her hips, controlled her thrusting. Back and forth faster and faster. Her moans turned desperate, her gaze never leaving his. She was his. All his. And he was hers.

The orgasm started deep inside him, building slowly.

“Come so hard in me,” she rasped.

His juices shot out of him, the blinding, deafening ecstasy had him releasing a long, loud series of groans while he stared into her eyes and poured himself into her.

“I love you,” he murmured, before their mouths came together in another wild kiss.

“I love you.” A tear spilled down her cheek. “That terrifies me more than anything.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “Why are you afraid?”

“Love makes us vulnerable. I’m like a turtle, and I like having a shell I can hide in.”

“Like this house.”

Still locked in an embrace, she peered into his eyes. “Yes, this house. Feeling scared won’t stop me from loving you. I want this. Whatever this is, for as long as it lasts. I love loving you.” Her adorable smile made him smile.

“I feel complete with you,” he said, “and the closest I’ve felt to being whole.”

“I want to help you find the person who killed your family.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay.”

“Let me help you. Maybe, then, you can start to heal.”

The truth might push her away, but he needed her to know…

“Loving me puts you at risk. Someone wanted me dead, and my family was collateral damage. That can’t happen to you. I won’t let it.”

“Luciano, I can’t stay here in your ivory tower, surrounded by a tall fence and armed guards. I have to live my life.”

“I know, caro.”

He said nothing more. Why ruin their perfect moment? Until he found the person who killed his family, he would always be looking over his shoulder, always be doing everything he could to keep her safe.

Even if it meant taking a bullet for her.