25. Every Second Counts #2
He pulled her close, held her tight. “You and me, babe. We did it, Halston.”
“We’re a great team,” she said.
“The best part is that no one will know,” he said. “We walk outta here, move on with our lives. The situation was already leaked about the EMPs, but no one will ever know it was us who stopped their mission.”
“Are you okay with that?” she asked.
“I like flying in stealth mode,” he replied. “You?”
“That’s the only way I fly.”
“Where do you think Langley will send you next?”
“I’m thinking it might be time for me to do something different,” she said. “I’ve spent the last ten years pretty much working alone.” She smiled up at him. “I like being on a team.”
“BLACK OPS?”
“No, I’m thinking my assassin skills might be put to use.” She arched an eyebrow. “You know anyone hiring?”
He chuffed out a laugh. “And here I said I was thinking of stepping away—”
“That’s like you and I not ending up together. Never gonna happen.”
“So, you’re stuck with me?” he asked.
“Yes, I am. I’m all in, one hundred percent.”
“I’ve got some friends in Italy who need to be taught a lesson,” he said.
“We can make it a working vacation,” she replied.
Teddy and Sydney, Greystone and Caroline joined them.
“You two were amazing,” Sydney said. “G, I’m not surprised by you, but I’m always impressed.”
“Grazie,” Gabriel said.
Evelyn Baker joined them. “I know now’s a crazy time, but we finally got a date for your wedding, Greystone and Caroline. It’s Saturday, May 31st. Once you provide us with your guest list, we’ll have our team do the rest.”
“That’s perfect,” Caroline replied. “We’d like to include Teddy and Sydney, if they want to share that date.”
“Really?” Teddy asked. “Sydney?”
“I’d love that!” Sydney exclaimed. “Babe?”
“I’m ready now,” Teddy replied, and the group laughed.
“G, you and Halston are welcome to join us,” Greystone said.
“Oh, we’d love that!” Caroline agreed.
“As guests?” Halston asked.
“No, as bride and groom,” Caroline said. “I mean, it’s only a matter of time.”
“Time.” Gabriel dangled Laskin’s pocket watch. “Life gives us limited time.”
“Do good with the time you have,” Halston said, completing the inscription on Laskin’s watch.
A treasured gift from father to son that changed the course of history.
Gabriel and Halston shared a smile.
“We’re getting married in Italy, but we can’t wait to celebrate your special day,” Halston said.
“Yes!” Sydney exclaimed.
“That’s fantastic,” Teddy said.
Caroline hugged Halston. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Congratulations,” Greystone said to Gabriel. “We gotta celebrate.”
As Halston and Gabriel were being congratulated, the White House waitstaff made their way by, pushing carts loaded with covered plates.
“Let’s eat,” Teddy said. “I’m starving.”
As everyone filed back into The Situation Room, Gabriel curled his hand around Halston’s arm.
Alone in the outer office, he pulled her close. “This is it.” He dropped a light kiss on her lips.
“Yes, it is.”
“You know what you’re getting yourself into, right?”
“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” She stood tall, kissed his cheek. “I’m on a list. You do not want to get on my bad side.”
“You don’t have a bad side,” he said. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
HALSTON
Halston was relieved, ecstatic, and filled with the utmost respect for Gabriel.
He had done what no one else in that room had been capable of achieving.
She would never have guessed he knew about the Physical Constant Code—she’d never even heard her dad talk about it.
She had underestimated Gabriel… something she would never do again.
Greystone exited The Situation Room. “There’s plenty of food. Come in and have something. G, you impressed the President. He can’t stop talking about you.”
“Of course,” Gabriel said with a sly smile.
“So cocky,” Halston murmured.
But she was so proud of her fiancé.
Greystone regarded Halston. “Halston, you’re still part of ALPHA until we release you back to Langley. That happens when we close out the mission.”
She nodded. “I’ll make sure my mom and dad get home safely, then I’m taking a few days off. There won’t be an issue with that, right?”
“You earned them,” Greystone said. “You guys were cool under fire. Nice work.”
“That’s how we roll,” Gabriel replied.
Halston’s parents joined them.
“We’re very proud of you, Halston,” her mom said.
Halston hugged her mom, then her dad, as Gabriel stepped away to take a call.
“Wolf just texted us,” her mom said. “He flew into town and asked about dinner tonight, if you’re free?”
Halston glanced over at Gabriel. He stood like a pillar of strength. Her heart swelled. She adored him, couldn’t wait to start their new life… together.
“Is Gabriel included?” Halston asked.
“Of course,” her dad replied. “We look forward to getting to know him.”
Gabriel re-joined the group.
“Everything okay?” Halston asked.
“All good,” Gabriel replied.
“Our son, Wolf, invited us to dinner at The Potomac Club,” her dad said. “We’re hoping you and Halston can join us.”
Gabriel slid his gaze to Halston.
For someone who’d pulled an all-nighter, he looked as put together as always. She smiled. “Want to talk offline?”
She loved that they were a couple, loved that she’d found her person.
“I’d love to join you,” Gabriel said. “Babe?”
“We’ll be there,” Halston replied.
“Wonderful,” said her mom. “How’s six?”
“That’ll work,” Gabriel said. “Let’s get you both home. I’ll have someone deliver your luggage—”
“Can we swing by and drop it off?” Halston asked.
“We have a busy day today,” Gabriel replied, putting a protective arm around her. “Dustin, Sonya, I’m in love with Halston. She is the most amazing, inspiring, smart, beautiful, determined woman I have ever known. I’d like your blessing in marriage.”
Halston smiled. “I love this.”
“I respect your parents,” he said. “Marriage isn’t just two people. It’s a union of families.”
“Well said,” her dad agreed. “You have my blessing, Gabriel.”
“Much appreciated, Dustin.”
“Halston is a complicated woman,” her mom said. “She presents different personas, depending on the situation. I think you’re a complex man who will be able to navigate life with her. You have my blessing as well.”
“I agree, Sonya. Thank you.”
Her dad extended his hand. “Treat her with respect. Put her first. Love her without end.”
“Yes, sir, you have my word. And… as a Santini, my word is everything.”
Sydney hurried over. “We’re getting a private White House tour. Can you guys join us?”
“I’d love that,” Halston’s mom said. “Dustin?”
“I’m thrilled I’m not being held hostage,” Dustin added, “so a tour sounds great to me.”
Halston clasped Gabriel’s hand. “I’m going to pass. Gabriel?”
“Sydney, can you make sure the Devereuxes’ luggage gets delivered to their house?” Gabriel asked. “We’re taking off.”
“I got you,” Sydney said. “Congrats on saving the country.”
Gabriel laughed as they said their goodbyes and were escorted out.
As the Secret Service drove them to Hotel Dillinger, Gabriel said, “It’s a normal day for everyone in the nation’s capital.”
“They have no idea what could have happened.” Halston clasped his hand. “We did a good thing.”
“Gotta balance out the bad, right?”
“What’s our plan today?” she asked.
“Back to the hotel to celebrate our big win.”
She smiled. “I love that.”
“Then, house shopping… ring shopping.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “House shopping?”
“We need to live somewhere when we’re here,” he said. “I called Sin’s twin brother, Dakota Luck. He runs Goode-Luck Real Estate, and he’s got someone taking us around.”
“Where?”
“Wherever you want,” Gabriel replied. “If my Barbi is happy, I’m happy.”
In the back seat of the SUV, she clasped his hand. “Thank you.” After a pause, she added, “I’m going to wait on getting another ring.”
Up went his eyebrows. “Why?”
She held up her right hand, the one with the diamond eternity band. “I want to enjoy this one. We have time to shop for an engagement ring.”
The Secret Service SUV stopped at the front entrance of Hotel Dillinger. After thanking the agents for their protection, they went inside.
Halston was both tired and wired. She was relieved the national crisis had been averted, thrilled to be officially engaged, and excited to have a few days off. A whirlwind of emotions flitted through her, but for now, she was happy to be spending a normal day with her forever man.
Once in their hotel suite, they held each other as if the end of the world was still coming.
“That was intense,” she said.
“I believed we’d figure it out,” he replied as he held her tightly in his arms.
She pulled back, peered into his eyes. “How can you be so confident all the time?”
“I knew this was the beginning of our love story and our life together… not the end.” He ran the back of his finger down her cheek. “We make a crazy-good team.”
She smiled. “Yes, we do.”
In the bedroom, they made slow, tender love… building to a crescendo that left her wanting more.
“Let’s skip house hunting and stay in bed all day,” she said as she snuggled close.
“Whatever the future Mrs. Santini wants, she gets.”
Halston smiled. “So, you think I’m changing my name, huh?”
“Even if you keep Devereux—which is fine by me—you will still be Mrs. Santini to me.”
“Mrs. Santini. I like that. Sounds powerful.”
“It is. Wait until I take you to Sicily.”
“I thought your empire is in Milan.”
“It is,” Gabriel replied, “but I always pay my respects to the southernmost group of Cosa Nostra.”
One more kiss before Halston rested her head on Gabriel’s muscular chest, ran her fingers over his heated skin. “I don’t want to think about anything outside of you… and this bed.”
“Reality can wait.”
She smiled. “For a little while longer.”
GAbrIEL
Gabriel made love to his fiancée again before they left the comfort of the bed for the spacious hotel bathroom. As she turned on the shower, he checked his phone. Awaiting him was a text from Halston’s brother, Wolf.
Wolf Devereux. Skip the family dinner. Join me for drinks at the Potomac Club 9 PM
“Your brother is uninviting me to dinner,” Gabriel said.
She hurried over. “He is not.”