25. Every Second Counts #3
He showed her the text.
“That’s not like him to be such a jerk.”
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh. “We didn’t get off to a good start.”
“Do you want me to—”
“It’s fine,” Gabriel said. “He’s got his reasons.”
They got ready, left the suite. The realtor picked them up in the hotel lobby, showed them several homes in the DC, Arlington, and McLean areas. They found three they liked—one being a stand-out favorite—so Gabriel said he’d follow up with the realtor to discuss making an offer.
AT 5:50 PM THAT EVENING, Gabriel pulled up to valet parking in front of The Potomac Club, located in the heart of Georgetown.
After exiting his Ferrari, he told the employee, “I’m taking Ms. Devereux inside. Hold my car.”
Into the private club they went.
The feel was old money, the ambiance dark, sophisticated, and elegant.
“I didn’t know this was here,” Halston said.
Wolf had been talking to someone nearby, broke away, and made his way over. After kissing Halston hello, he shook Gabriel’s hand.
“Welcome to my club,” Wolf said.
“Yours?” Halston blurted as she peered around the wood-grained walls and amber-lit wall sconces.
“Signed the paperwork with the broker yesterday,” Wolf said with a grin. As his gaze shifted to Gabriel, the friendly smile fell away. “I thought you weren’t staying, Santini.”
“That’s rude, Wolfie.”
“I’m not,” Gabriel said. “I wanted to make sure Halston got inside okay.”
Wolf flicked his gaze to her. “Are you still in danger?”
“Gabriel’s being a gentleman,” she replied.
“There are always unfriendly eyes on us,” Gabriel said. “Is my fiancée safe here?”
Wolf shifted from Gabriel to Halston. “No. You are not marrying him.”
Silence.
Gabriel couldn’t hold back the smile. Wolf was authentic, he’d give the guy that much. He didn’t hide his feelings or fake anything.
“Yes,” Halston replied. “I am marrying him.”
“You’ll be too busy running your illegal empire to take care of my sister the way she deserves,” Wolf said.
“You’re being so rude,” Halston said. “I don’t want to have dinner with you.”
“It’s all good, babe,” Gabriel replied. “Enjoy the time with your family.”
“Are you going to your restaurant?” she asked.
“Of course.” He kissed her cheek. “Ti amo.” I love you.
She smiled. “Ti amo.”
He tossed Wolf a nod. “See you at nine.”
Gabriel left the The Potomac Club, jumped into his waiting sports car. He had a lot to do and not enough time to do it. After talking with the realtor about making an offer on their top pick, he drove to Santini Ristorante.
Teddy and Sydney, Caroline and Greystone were having drinks in the owner’s booth.
“Where’s our girl?” Sydney asked.
“Halston’s having dinner with her family at The Potomac Club in DC.”
“We were just talking about her brother, Wolf Devereux,” Greystone said
Sydney moved over and patted the empty cushion. “Sit, G.”
Gabriel eased down.
“He invited Greystone and me there for drinks tonight,” Teddy said.
“Same,” Gabriel replied.
“What that’s about?” Sydney asked.
“Whatever it is, it won’t be good,” Gabriel bit out.
“Why do you say that, G?” Sydney asked.
“My gut,” Gabriel replied.
Gabriel regarded Teddy. “Why aren’t you still at the White House?”
“I wrote the code, turned over the project to their team. I’m on call if they run into a problem.”
The server appeared. “Mr. G, what can I get you?”
“Santini Whisky, neat,” he replied.
“We’re having dinner,” Greystone said. “Join us.”
“Sure,” Gabriel replied. “Have you seen Monroe?”
“No,” Teddy and Greystone said.
“She called me right after we got out of The Situation Room,” Gabriel said. “She’s in town, wants to get together.” He glanced around. “Is she here?”
“I haven’t seen her,” Teddy said. “Check the salon.”
Gabriel checked. No Monroe.
As he returned to the booth, the server delivered his whisky.
The family lifted their glasses.
“To Gabriel, who saved us from a cataclysmic disaster,” Teddy said.
“To G,” Greystone said, “whose balls I will never bust again.”
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh.
“Love you,” Sydney said.
“You’re the real deal, Gabriel Santini, and the Santini brother I always want on my side,” Caroline said.
“Thank you,” Gabriel said as they toasted. “I love you all.”
“No Monroe?” Teddy asked.
“She’s not here.” Gabriel texted her.
I’m at Santini Ristorante if you still want to meet
He joined his family for a delicious Italian dinner, grateful for a pause in the mayhem that was his life. Day in and day out.
As they were finishing, his phone binged with an incoming text from Halston.
Missing you like crazy
His heart beat harder.
“You’re smiling,” Sydney said to him.
“Text from Halston,” he said before replying.
Missing you too baby. Dinner with bros, Syd and Car at restaurant. See you soon
She hearted his text.
“We love her,” Caroline said. “I’m so happy she’s always going to be in our lives. She’s one in a million.”
“She is,” Gabriel replied, “and I can’t believe she’s mine.”
“Neither can we,” Teddy said, and the group laughed. “You did good, G.”
“I did great,” he replied. “Halston is perfect for me.”
His phone binged with another text. This one from Monroe.
Need your help. Can you meet me?
Where are you?
The Potomac Club in DC. I’m at a table first floor back salon. Ask for Pepper
Gabriel pushed out of the booth. “Monroe’s at The Potomac Club.” He dropped his credit card on the table. “Dinner’s on me. Bring my card to the club.”
“Thank you!” Sydney said before Gabriel strode out.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to valet parking at The Potomac Club in Georgetown.
Inside, he waited in a lobby that looked like something from another era.
Wood paneled walls, amber lighting. Men and women dressed in tailored suits and couture dresses.
He spotted several wearing Santini Originals.
The club wreaked of old money… and secrets.
But Gabriel wasn’t there for the ambiance, the spirits, or the food. He was there to help his cousin and get to know Halston’s family.
He approached the ma?tre d' stand. “Gabriel Santini for Pepper.”
He was led through the main dining room and into a small salon. Tucked in a corner, his cousin sat alone, facing into the room. To his surprise, she’d worn a dress, her hair in a fancy updo, and oversized sunglasses covering her eyes.
“I’ll send the server right over.”
“Where’s Devereux?” Gabriel asked the ma?tre d'.
“Dining with his family in the private salon. Did you want to speak with him?”
“No.”
“Very good, sir.” The ma?tre d' left the salon.
After Gabriel eased into the upholstered chair, he studied his cousin. Poised, statuesque. Per usual, he couldn’t read her. “Tell me you’re not hiding a black eye.”
She removed her shades. “Nope.”
“You look great in that Santini Original.”
She leaned close. “Marco Riccobene put out a contract on me.”
Agitation had him making a fist. “Dammit, Monroe.”
“That’s why I left Milan. Figured it would be harder to track me down in the States.”
“Does this have something to do with diamonds?”
“That’s one of the reasons,” she replied.
“Are you safe here?”
“Are any of us safe anywhere?”
She had a point.
“You need me to help you disappear?” he asked.
“This is just a stopover before I—poof—vanish.”
“Headed where?”
She shook her head.
“Do you need to use the company jet?”
“I made arrangements,” she said. “I might be gone for a week, a month… maybe longer.”
“Do you want to meet my fiancée before you go dark?”
Her eyes grew the size of full moons, then she laughed. “Still messing with me, G, but I don’t fall for your silliness like I did when we were kids.”
“I’m, serious. Do you want to meet her? She’s here, at the club.”
“Of course.”
He sent Halston a text.
I’m in the first floor back salon with my cousin. Come meet her
“Where did you last see Riccobene?” Gabriel asked.
“I saw Marco Riccobene with you in Milan. The day I flipped him off.”
“Who am I introducing you as?” he asked.
“Is she really your fiancée?”
“Yes.”
“Monroe is fine.”
Halston appeared at the table. Her radiant smile set his insides on fire. She looked phenomenal in the Santini Little Black Dress. His woman did it for him in every way possible.
He rose, kissed her cheek. “Monroe, my fiancée—”
“I know you,” Halston said as Gabriel pulled out a chair for her. “You’re Pepper.”
Monroe smiled. “It’s been a while, Beatrioux.”
“This is unexpected,” Gabriel said as he sat back down.
“We had a situation a few years back where we ended up helping each other,” Halston said.
“It was us or that scumbag,” Monroe said. “So you’re marrying into the fam. G, you definitely leveled up.”
He clasped Halston’s hand. “I’m very lucky.”
“We both are,” Halston said.
The small talk continued while Gabriel kept his eye on the entryway. Wasn’t the first time someone had put out a contract on his cousin, and he did not want it to be the last.
“I should get going,” Monroe said. “Can’t stay in one place too long.”
“Where are you headed?” Halston asked.
“I’m doing a job for someone,” Monroe replied, “and I’m not sure where it’s taking me.”
“You must trust this person to take a job blind,” Halston said.
Wolf Devereux joined them. “Monroe, the car is out front.”
“You’re working for him?” Gabriel bit out.
Monroe rose. “G, walk me to the lobby.”
Gabriel rose, glared at Wolf. “Small world.”
“Unfortunately,” Wolf replied.
As the foursome made the way through the main dining room, Gabriel couldn’t help but feel eyes on them.
Unfriendly ones.
They left the restaurant, stopping on the sidewalk out front to say their goodbyes. The chilly winter air had him removing his jacket, draping it over Halston’s shoulders.
“Hey, you!” a man shouted out a car window.
All four whipped their heads around.
The masked man stuck the barrel of a gun out the window.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gabriel stepped in front of Halston, pulled his CANiK, and opened fire.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The car sped forward, vanishing around the corner.
Gabriel spun around. “Are you hit? Are you okay?”
“I’m good,” Halston replied. “Check on Monroe.”
Monroe was crouched behind the valet stand. Gabriel knelt beside her. “Are you hit?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
They stood.