12. Trust Me
TRUST ME
GAbrIEL
Halston Devereux was a challenge in every conceivable way. Gabriel leaned back, crossed his arms, and waited. He wanted answers and he wasn’t leaving until he got them.
She broke eye contact, but he could see her brilliant mind working. This was clearly a crossroads for her. Either she had to come clean or she needed to come up with a believable story… and fast.
Silence was a powerful tool, so he said nothing.
This was on her and he wasn’t letting her off the hook.
When she regarded him, there was a clarity in her eyes he’d never seen before.
“Okay, here we go.” Halston heaved in a breath.
“I’m a double agent. I work at Langley, but my current handler is Evangeline.
Initially, it was Caroline, then someone else.
Last year, I was sent to Russia with a great legend and, through several connections, got hired to work for Yuri Bulgrov, the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador. ”
He was surprised she was being so forthright, but he had called her out on her breaking into his home.
“If anyone finds out I’ve told you, I’m fired. The Russians will kill me, so just know, I’m risking my life to tell you.”
There was a vulnerability in her eyes, but he wasn’t dropping his guard. “Understood.”
“I was sent to Russia because of chatter heard at NSA,” she continued, “and instructed to be a perfect Russian employee to gain Bulgrov’s trust. When he was appointed ambassador, he kept me on as his assistant and promoted me to lead translator.
On my way back to the States, he gave me a job.
I was to break into a villa in Milan and steal a thumb drive.
As I’m sure you saw, I didn’t find it, so I failed at my first mission.
I told Evangeline and I’m surprised you didn’t already know this. That ALPHA group travels more like a—”
“Pod,” he said, finishing her sentence.
“Exactly. They’re like penguins huddling together for warmth in the dead of winter.”
Despite his anger, he chuffed out a laugh.
“I didn’t know who owned the villa and I don’t know why Bulgrov wanted the thumb drive. I met Pina, told her I’d been there with you, but you had to leave.” Another short pause. “I did take a minute to enjoy your villa. It’s really beautiful.”
Her work phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen and shuddered. “The first photo didn’t include his face. He figured he’d lure me with his missing front tooth.”
After a pause, Gabriel said, “I need to verify your story.”
Her blue orbs grew large, her eyebrows jutting into her forehead. “That’s not insulting or anything.” She crossed her arms. “My own mom and dad don’t know the full deets about my job, but you’re going to verify me?”
Yes, she had a point, but if he was going to trust her—really trust her—he needed someone to vouch for her.
She grabbed a different phone, made a call, set the phone on the table. After several rings, Evangeline answered.
“You okay?” Her sleepy voice cut through the silence.
Halston glanced at the time. “Sorry to wake you on a holiday. Can you add Sin to the call?”
Seconds later, “I’m here Halston,” Sin said. “What’s going on?”
“Are you both there?” Halston asked.
“You got us,” Evangeline replied.
“I’m having a convo with your boy, Gabriel. He’s got issues with me, primarily because he saw video of me snooping in his Milan villa. While I put my career and my life on the line and told him more than I should, he’s not good with that, so if you could vouch for me, I’d appreciate it.”
Silence.
Thunderous silence at Halston’s biting tone.
Yes, he’d pissed women off by not calling them after a hookup, but the fury rolling off Halston was something altogether new. And arousing as hell. Since now wasn’t the time to make that known, he remained seated and crossed his legs.
“G,” Sin began, “Halston is the real deal. She’s put herself in a very dangerous position, which is why ALPHA pulled her from Langley. Pairing her with Evan was a smarter choice. Evangeline won’t let anything happen to her and anyone who crosses my wife will regret it, if they live long enough.”
“Halston didn’t know who you were when she went into your home,” Evangeline continued. “We were disappointed she didn’t find the drive, which would have lent credibility with Bulgrov, but we’re lucky to have her at all. She’s considered a lethal weapon in her own right.”
“What?” Halston asked. “What do you mean?”
“There are a handful of trained killers who can take a person out without a weapon,” Sin said. “You’re on that short list.”
“There’s a list?”
“Sin was given a list,” Evangeline explained. “And your name was on it.”
Her smug expression had him biting back a smile. She was an independent, confident woman… someone who challenged him, even rivaled him.
She’s perfect for me… absolutely perfect.
“I’m good,” Gabriel replied.
“G, I’m just curious,” Sin said. “What thumb drive was Halston supposed to find?”
“There is no thumb drive,” Gabriel said.
“Then, why’d Bulgrov send me there?” Halston asked.
“That question is for Bulgrov,” Gabriel replied.
“Why are you working today?” Evangeline asked.
“Because the embassy is open.”
“Tell them about the Russian douche,” Gabriel urged her.
“What’s going on?” Evangeline asked.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied. “Thanks for the help.”
She ended the call, glared at Gabriel. “Happy?”
“Happy? No, but I appreciate your honesty. Why didn’t you tell them about the texts?”
“Because I’m not going out with Bob Smith.” She stood. “We’re done, so show yourself out.”
He didn’t budge.
“Or would you like me to remove you with my lethal bare hands?” she asked.
He stood, whisked her into his arms. He sat on the edge of the unmade bed and pulled her into his lap. “I’m going to grovel again.”
She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Halston Devereux, I am begging you to forgive me,” he said before kissing her hand. “I was wrong not to trust you. I won’t do that again. Ever. You have my word. As a Santini and Boss of Cosa Nostra, my word is everything.”
She said nothing, so he leaned toward her to kiss her, but stopped short. A few seconds passed before she met him halfway, pressing her lips to his.
One gentle kiss before he continued.
“Ti prego di perdonarmi, mio intelligente, astuto e coraggioso Halston.
Mi dispiace moltissimo e non commetterò più quell'errore. Cosa posso fare per rimettere le cose a posto tra noi?” Please forgive me, Halston.
I'm very sorry and I won't make that mistake again.
What can I do to make things right between us?
“Non vedo l'ora di tornare nella tua villa con te, questa volta come tuo ospite,” she replied. I look forward to returning to your villa with you, this time as your guest.
He kissed her again. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Gabriel, this is different and I feel vulnerable too,” she murmured. “Be honest with me. No cheating, no sneaking around. If we work, great. If we don’t, that’s okay. Be a man, not a mouse.”
“You have my word.”
“I deserve your best,” she replied.
“And I will give it to you.”
They shared a tender kiss as her work phoned chimed again.
Together, they checked.
For your pleasure
In came a picture of Bob Smith’s naked ass in a mirror shot.
“God, no,” she blurted before showing Gabriel the text. “He’s disgusting.”
“What does he look like?” Gabriel asked.
She scrolled back to the shirtless pic of Bob Smith, then showed Gabriel.
“Jesus,” he blurted when he saw the face of the Russian. “I know him.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He’s the motherfucker who shot me… and got away. That’s Pavel Donskoy, enemy number one. He’s Bratva, sent here to take me out.”
“He’s using the name Bob Smith—”
“What an idiot—”
“And he’s close with some Russian businessman named Dmitri Petrov who knows the ambassador.”
“So, he’s in tight with the Russian government,” he said. “Not surprising.”
“I’ll help you,” she said. “We’ll figure something out.”
“No,” Gabriel pushed back. “It’s too dangerous.”
“You underestimate me, Santini.”
“These are vicious killers. No, Halston. Absolutely no way.”
“Are you forgetting… I’m the one who took out the other Bratva,” she said.
He paused for several seconds as he worked through the situation. “You’re right.”
“This’ll be fun.” A relieved smile filled her beautiful face. “Payback is a bitch, isn’t it?”
“It sure as hell is,” he replied.
HALSTON
Gabriel pulled down Davis Street in northwest DC and stopped at the curb. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“One hundred percent,” she replied. “I probably shouldn’t get involved in your war—”
“Agreed.”
“But I am.”
“Let me take you to dinner tonight.”
“We can’t be seen in public together,” she pushed back.
“If I can pull something off, you won’t be seen. Let me see what I can do. How do I get in touch with you?”
“I left my personal phone at the hotel. I’ll be back to the room by six, latest.”
“How ‘bout I pick you up at seven for dinner?”
“I want to kiss you so badly,” she whispered.
“What’s stopping you?”
“I’m Minka. I shouldn’t even be with you. Evangeline gave me this SUV—”
“It’s from the ALPHA fleet,” he said. “Do you want me to pick you up here?”
“No, I’ll grab a rideshare to the hotel.” After a beat, she said, “I had fun with you.”
“Me too.”
She left her SUV with Gabriel and crossed the street. After pulling up the hood of her coat, she walked the block to the embassy. Once there, she made her way to her office. After getting settled in, she went in search of the ambassador, finding him in his office on a call, his door open.
Knock-knock.
Bulgrov hung up. “Minka, after you check in with your team, meet me in the executive conference room.”
“Yes, sir. How many coffees can I bring?”
“Three. Four if you want one,” he replied. “When is your dinner with Bob Smith?”
Inwardly, she cringed. “I’ll set that up with him.”
He rose. “Thank you. It’s important we keep our comrades happy, no?”
“Of course,” she replied, her fingers twitching to take the thug out.