25. Every Second Counts #4
Wolf had moved away, engaged in a heated conversation on his phone. He hung up, strode back over. “Who the hell was that?”
“No idea,” Gabriel replied. “Both shooter and driver were masked.”
“I’ve got someone looking for them,” Wolf said.
“Who were they gunning for?” Halston asked.
“Me,” Monroe and Wolf said at the same time.
Gabriel shifted from one to the other, then regarded Halston. “Let’s get you inside.”
“I’m out.” Monroe tossed Wolf a nod. “I’ll be in touch.” She vanished inside the waiting sedan, and it pulled away from the curb.
The attendant opened the door to the club. After Halston hurried inside, Gabriel glared at her brother. “What job do you have my cousin doing for you?”
“No comment,” Wolf replied.
Heat scorched Gabriel’s chest. He hadn’t even gotten a single day of calm before the next round of mayhem reared its ugly head.
In the club’s foyer, Gabriel tamed his runaway hair with his hand. “If that assignment gets Monroe killed, I will hunt you down.”
Before Wolf could respond, the door to the club opened again. In walked Greystone and Caroline, Teddy and Sydney, Luciano and Simone. After Gabriel greeted his family, the ma?tre d' escorted Caroline, Sydney, and Simone—now four months pregnant—to a table in the main dining room.
“They’re like sitting ducks in there,” Gabriel pushed back.
“The members are vetted,” Wolf said. “I’ve got a security team as well.”
The brothers exchanged glances.
“I’ve got eyes on Simone,” Luciano said. “The women are safe.”
Wolf gestured toward the stairs. “Gentleman, sis. I’ve got a table waiting in my lounge.”
“Did your parents leave?” Gabriel asked as they climbed the newly carpeted stairs to the second floor.
“They’re having dessert at their table,” Halston replied.
“How was the reunion?” Gabriel asked.
She smiled, the joy on her face quelling his anger. “It was great.” At the top of the stairs, she kissed him. “Thank you for keeping me safe from that lunatic.”
“Always,” he replied as he clasped her hand in his.
Wolf led them down the hall with its dark tapestry wallpaper and low-lit chandeliers. Into the lounge, they went. More old, dark things. Gabriel wasn’t into vintage or furniture that looked like it had passed its expiration date.
He would have a drink with his brothers, his fiancée, and his future brother-in-law.
He’d accept Wolf’s olive branch like a Santini, and he’d move on with his life.
He’d see Wolf at family gatherings, it would be a non-issue.
Nothing and no one would ever be more important to him than Halston…
and any children they might be blessed with having.
Six upholstered chairs were perfectly placed around a vintage mahogany table with oversized claw feet.
More old furniture.
As the brothers filed in, Wolf extended his hand and shook each of theirs.
“Luciano, a pleasure. Greystone, thank you for your service. Teddy, appreciate you being here.”
When Gabriel passed him, the two men shook hands. “Gabriel, thanks for putting my sister first.”
He didn’t need the kudos, but he acknowledged Wolf with a nod. Poking the bear would turn this non-event into a shit show. Gabriel’s goal? Get through the next hour without incident. For someone who loved being the Agitator, he’d be stealth.
He loved Halston. She adored her brother, so he’d do the right thing… for her.
A server outfitted in a tuxedo bolero, black dress pants, and crisp white shirt carried a sterling silver tray with a bottle and six glasses. “Santini Whisky.”
One by one, they pulled a crystal glass, until Greystone.
“Sparkling water.”
“Yes, sir,” said the server who hurried off.
Wolf leaned back, crossed his legs. “I’m Halston’s younger brother, Wolf Devereux. First, congratulations to my sister and Gabriel on their engagement. Since we’re going to be family, I thought I’d get everyone together.”
Gabriel’s hackles calmed. The tension that lived in his shoulders eased a little. Maybe he’d been wrong about Wolf.
That sounds like an olive branch.
The server returned with a bottle of sparkling water and a crystal glass for Greystone. He twisted open the bottle, poured the bubbly liquid, and set it down.
Wolf raised his glass. “To family.”
The group toasted, sipped their beverages.
“I have a crazy story I want to share with all of you,” Wolf began. “I’d hoped to tell Halston before now, but her life got kinda crazy.” He peered across the table at her. “Sorry to spring this on you, sis.”
“What’s going on, Wolfie?” she asked.
“About a year ago, I needed my birth certificate. When I asked Mom, she said it had gotten lost. Knowing our parents, I didn’t believe that. They keep excellent records. Turns out, I found it buried in a folder in their home safe.”
Gabriel sipped the Santini liquor, savoring its smooth oak flavor.
“Our parents told Halston and me we were ten months apart, but the birth certificate showed my actual date of birth as six months earlier.”
“Oh, wow,” Halston murmured.
“Since there’s no chance we could be biologically four months apart, I did some digging,” Wolf continued.
“Turns out, I was adopted. That surprised me. At first, I was resentful they didn’t tell me, but more curious than angry.
I mean, we’ve got great parents. I had a fun childhood.
No complaints. Got the best big sis.” He shot Halston a smile.
The color had drained from her face. She sat there in what looked like mild shock, her gaze locked on her brother.
“The adoption was closed… but money, power, and favors can unlock most doors. Am I right, gentlemen?”
“Always,” Luciano replied.
“Hell, yeah,” Teddy agreed.
Only Greystone remained stone-faced, his harsh glare slicing through the air.
“It took several months, but I got the information I needed.” He removed a folded piece of paper from the inside breast pocket of his tweed dinner jacket. Slowly, he opened it, set it on the table.
“Boyz, your daddy had a mistress. Turns out, there aren’t four Santini brothers, there are five.”
“No,” Greystone blurted.
“You’re lying,” Luciano hissed.
Tension tightened Gabriel’s shoulders, his hands curled into fists. As he glanced across at Greystone, his nostrils flared while Luciano’s eyes turned black with fury.
“Hello, brothers,” Wolf said. “I’m the fifth Santini.”
Silence.
Excruciating silence filled the lounge. No one spoke. No one could drag their attention from Wolf.
A smile split his lips. “Isn’t anyone going to welcome me to the family?”
“Oh. My. God,” Halston murmured.
Teddy made his way around the table to Wolf. “Welcome to the family, bro. I look forward to getting to know you.”
“It’ll be fun,” Wolf said. “Especially when I take back what’s rightfully mine.”
Teddy’s smile dropped as Gabriel, Greystone, and Luciano stood like lions defending their territory.
“What the hell does that mean?” Luciano asked.
“For now, nothing,” Wolf said. “But that might change after my lawyers get involved.”
“Wolfie, you wouldn’t,” Halston said.
“The Santini family is one of the most powerful families in America… and in Italy. From what I’ve learned, the name has tentacles that reach into many regions throughout the world.”
Wolf extended his hand to Teddy.
“Don’t shake it,” Gabriel said.
“He’s right,” Luciano agreed.
“We need proof,” Greystone pushed back. “That birth certificate could be forged.”