Chapter 10 Getting Closer
GETTING CLOSER
TEDDY
Teddy entered Santini Ristorante and exhaled the tension running the length of his broad shoulders. Their family’s eatery was his happy place. The hostess stand stood empty. The dining room was still plenty full, as was the bar. A quick sweep of the room told him things were running smoothly.
On his way through the restaurant, he paused to say hello to a couple who came in every week, checked to make sure they were enjoying their entrées. After greeting several more guests, he continued on to the kitchen to speak with his chefs. All good there.
Was the universe turning in his favor?
Next, he synced-up with his lead waitstaff. “You might want to check on Tara. She was okay until that man came in.” She gestured toward the bar.
To Teddy’s surprise, Tara was sitting at the bar next to someone who—from the back—looked like a poker buddy of his.
He walked behind the bar to first check on his bartenders.
“We’re running low on top-shelf tequila,” said his head bartender. “I’ll grab a few bottles from the back, if you don’t mind fillin’ in.”
“Sure, go ahead,” Teddy said.
As Teddy made his way down the bar checking on his customers, he stopped in front of Tara. She was clutching a damp tissue, her eyes and nose red from crying.
“Hey, Tank,” said the man as he thrust out his hand. “It’s been a hot minute.”
The man was his occasional poker pal, Burt Goodson. He shook his hand, glanced back at his floor manager. “Tara, what’s going on?”
Rueful eyes stared up at him. “Hollywood was murdered.”
Crafty Lamar’s lifeless body popped into his thoughts.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He glanced at Burt. “What’s the connection?”
“Hollywood and I were friends,” Burt explained. “I wanted to tell Tara, myself.”
“Tara, why don’t you take off,” Teddy suggested.
“Thanks, boss.” She scrambled off the stool, hugged Burt. “I appreciate you telling me in person.”
“Of course,” Burt said. “You’ve got my number. Call for any reason.”
She hurried toward the front door.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Teddy said.
“Been doing some traveling for work,” Burt said. “When did you start working here?”
Short, with a thick physique, Burt had let his hair grow long. The men had met through a mutual poker friend and had played Texas hold ‘em a handful of times.
“Santini Ristorante is my family’s restaurant,” Teddy said.
Burt’s eyes widened. “No joke? I didn’t know you’re a Santini. That carries a lot of weight, especially in Italy.”
It carries a lot of weight here too.
“I knew a few guys who said the Santini name is still associated with—” He did air quotes with his fingers—'the Family’.”
“Cosa Nostra,” Teddy said, knowing full well that his grandfather had run the Sicilian Mafia for decades.
“Wow, I had no idea you have so much power.”
It’s good to be a Santini.
Teddy moved on to serve a customer. When his bartender returned with the bottles of tequila, Teddy did a final check on patrons before stopping in front of Burt.
“I’m serious, man,” Burt said. “Being a Santini is badass.”
If Burt knew what he really did for a living, he’d be even more impressed… or terrified.
“What happened to your friend?” Teddy asked, knowing full well what happened to him.
“All I know is that Hollywood got shot dead.” Burt tossed back the last of his scotch. “You never know when your number’s gonna be up.”
“My grandfather used to say that death was the ultimate surprise that crept in to steal your soul in the middle of the night.”
“Jesus,” Burt said. “That’s some dark shit. Are you up for a little poker these days?”
Teddy shook his head. “No time.”
“Seriously?” Burt re-tied his long hair. “I mean, no offense, but you’re the GM of a restaurant. How demanding could that be?”
“I’m a Santini.” Teddy winked. “Don’t forget that.”
He left Burt at the bar, made his way into the kitchen, and confirmed his chef was staying until closing. With Tara gone for the night, he’d have to close out the restaurant.
Unless…
As he made his way toward his office, he called Gabriel.
“Yo, baby,” Gabriel answered.
“I’m at the restaurant, but I can’t stay ‘til closing. Can you help me out?”
“Felice di aiutarti, fratello. E poi potrai ricambiare il favore.”
Agitation streaked down his spine. “Seriously, Gabriel? You’ll help me if I return the favor? Are you kidding me?”
Outside his office, he stood in front of the retina scanner, the light turned green, and he entered. Gabriel was sitting in the leather executive chair smoking a cigar. When the brothers’ eyes met, Gabriel broke into a grin, then they both started laughing.
Gabriel sauntered around the desk, extended his arms. Teddy went to fake punch him in the gut, then pulled him in for a hug.
“How many women are hiding in here?”
Gabriel pretended to stab his heart. “How can you say that about me? I’m here holding down the biz while you have your fam dinner with Greystone… and not invite me.”
Teddy knew his brother well enough to know that a woman had been in the office… or someone was on her way. At the moment, Teddy didn’t care if an entire haram showed.
“Thanks for sticking ‘round,” Teddy said. “I gotta bolt.”
“Not so fast. I need your help.”
Teddy released a growl. “Go.”
“You know how an ant colony works, right?” Gabriel began.
Teddy hitched his brows, crossed his arms, and stayed silent.
“When they need to explore a new location, they send a—”
“Scout,” Teddy said.
“Molto bene. Very good.”
“The Bratva sent someone to hunt me down—”
“Fuck, G.”
“And I need you to help make him vanish.”
“When?”
“Not sure. Could be a few days. Might be a week. I’ll ask Greystone too.”
“I fucking love family reunions,” Teddy said, his voice brimming with sarcasm.
Gabriel laughed. “Anch'io, fratello. Me too, brother. Me too.” After a beat, he asked, “You taking good care of my girl?”
“Sydney?”
Gabriel set his cigar in the ashtray. “That’s the one.”
“Why is she so special to you?”
“Ask her.”
“No, G., I’m asking you,” Teddy pushed back.
“Because she was tasked with killing me,” he replied matter-of-factly. “Instead, she saved my life. If I have loyalty to anyone, it’s her.” He paused. “You didn’t answer my question. How is she?”
“You want a bullshit answer or my real one?”
“La verità, sempre.”
“The truth?” He paused for a beat. “She could be the one.”
SYDNEY
Sydney felt rejuvenated. Spending a few hours with her family helped. Seeing her aunt had been fun and she liked reconnecting with her cousin. After her aunt and cousin left, they’d cleaned up, then crashed in the family room.
But it was time to focus up. With Todd Petersen and Crafty Lamar eliminated, King A would hire an entire posse to gun her down, or he might be hellbent on killing her himself.
Knowing she was armed helped, but a sniper could take her out from hundreds of yards… and she’d never see the bullet coming. She exhaled a grunt.
Not happening.
A very sexy, very muscular Tank slammed into her thoughts.
Time to go.
She didn’t want to stay at the creepy Black Site, but knowing Tank would be there had blood whizzing through her veins.
I can’t wait to see him.
“Caroline, are you ready to take off?” Sydney asked from the sofa in the family room.
“Sure,” Caroline replied, “but I’ve arranged for someone else to drive you back.”
Sydney stared at her sister. “For real?”
“Yeah.” Caroline rose from the chair.
While Sydney was saying goodbye to her parents, the doorbell rang.
As her sister made her way toward the front door, her dad called out, “Check through the living room window, first.”
Adrenaline had Sydney pulling her weapon from its holster. Her dad flicked his gaze in her direction. “Put that away.”
“I’ve got a target on my back.”
Seconds later, Caroline returned holding hands with Grey, the biggest smile on her face.
“Grey!” Her mom gave him a hug.
And then, Tank entered the kitchen, his massive size filling the space while his picture-perfect smile lit up his handsome face.
Sydney’s pulse shot into triple digits. Thanks to Tank, she got that much-needed power hit.
He is so damn hot.
When his gaze found hers, she couldn’t miss the shift in his energy. Their connection was immediate, it was raw, and it felt so damn good.
“Hey,” she said as she hugged him.
When he wrapped her in his strong arms, she felt complete… and protected in a way she’d never felt before. Not from her dad, not even from her weapons. For a woman who’d learned at a very young age how to protect herself, the feeling overwhelmed her.
And she soaked it up like her life depended on it.
“Syd, re-holster your weapon,” her dad said.
After breaking away from Tank, her fingers tingled, the desire to touch him that strong. Like a magnet, she took a step closer to half the distance between them.
“Hey,” Tank said, the grit in his voice rumbling through her like thunder.
“Dad,” Sydney said. “You have got to chill. The safety is on.”
“Sydney Annalise Austin.” Her dad was not messing around. “You are waving that gun around like a mad woman.”
“Yes, sir.”
As she re-holstered the weapon, Tank said, “Mr. Austin, I’m Theodore Santini, Greystone’s younger brother. I’m here to make sure your daughter stays safe.” After the men shook hands, Tank addressed her mom. “Mrs. Austin, it’s a pleasure.”
His mom gave him a warm hug. “Welcome, Theodore. It’s good to meet you.”
“Okay, so I’m gonna take off,” Caroline said.
“Did you drive together?” Kathrine asked.
“Greystone and I had dinner together,” Tank replied. “We split up after, met back here.”
“I’m following Caroline home,” Grey said.
“Please be careful,” their mom said.
“Mom, I’ll text you guys when we get back to the condo.” Caroline hugged her mom and dad before regarding Sydney. “Text me when you get back.”
“You’re not staying at the condo?” her mom asked.
“No.”
“I’m taking her to a safe house,” Tank said.
“Are there armed guards where you’re going?” her dad asked.
“Yeah,” Tank replied. “Me.”