She nodded as she started packing up.
As they were heading toward the hangar, he said, “Let me cook you dinner.”
“I’d love that, but I need to work out first.”
At her SUV, he pulled her close. “Is nine-thirty too late?”
“That’s perfect.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I feel like we’re drowning in quicksand. Small steps, then nothing.”
He kissed her, then kissed her again. “They won’t win.”
“You don’t know that.”
He peered into her eyes. “Yes, I do.”
“I appreciate your confidence.”
“I found my targets when I was a SEAL, and I found them when I was with the Agency. I will find these guys too.”
She broke away, stowed her bags in the vehicle. “I’m gonna take a raincheck on tonight.”
He studied her face. Something was wrong. “Talk to me.”
“It’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not.”
After several seconds, she said, “JL was a total bitch to me. I’m done.”
“Are you bummed?”
Up went her eyebrows. “No, I’m pissed.”
“At her?”
“Yes, but atmefor letting it go on for so long.”
“It went on long enough for you to meet Sajid Haqazzii.”
Awareness lit up her eyes. “I didn’t think of that.”
He leaned close. “Use that anger, Bella.” He opened the driver’s door to her SUV, and she climbed in.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
He wanted to be there for her. He also wanted to give her space. Rather than push, he followed her out, but veered off to his gym. She needed time to process what had happened, then refocus her attention on the case.
He knew, firsthand, that even the most important relationships can be fleeting.
AT MIDNIGHT,Greystone cut the lights on his SUV and drove into Santini Ristorante’s empty parking lot, then aroundback. After eyeing the six cars parked nearby, he killed the engine, got out, and tucked his Glock into the waist of his tattered jeans. His secondary weapon waited in its ankle holster, body armor protected his chest.
Over the years, he’d imagined confronting his uncle. Afraid no longer, he was ready to do battle with the devil and his assistant.
Rather than go inside, he waited by the back door. A few moments passed before a sedan drove around back, it’s headlights also off. Seconds later, the front doors opened. Luciano and Teddy exited.
“I checked surveillance,” Teddy murmured. “Willie Boy, Enzo, and four men who worked for Dad and Enzo.”
“Body armor?” Greystone asked.
