A few days earlier, he’d cleared out his clothing and emptied the safe of weapons in the rental house on 16thStreet in DC. While he would rather have stayed with one of his brothers, they thought he was back in Italy. For now, hotel security provided an extra layer of protection against the Bratva.
Sin exited the vehicle, shook his hand. “This’ll be fun.”
“Is that what revenge is?” Gabriel asked as Sin opened the back hatch.
Gabriel secured the long gun bag before Sin handed him a Kevlar vest. Gabriel removed the hoodie, strapped the body armor into place. “Not sure I love pulling you into my violent world.”
“In ALPHA, we never do jobs alone,” Sin said as he tapped the button and the hatch closed. “Babin’s long list of crimes were vicious, even by my standards.”
Gabriel got into the front seat.
Once behind the wheel, Sin said, “Getting involved with Cosa Nostra is new for me.”
“Benvenuto in famiglia, fratello. Welcome to the family, brother.”
Sin drove out, heading toward Virginia.
“What did you tell Babin?” Gabriel removed his sunglasses.
“I need his help with a job, couldn’t talk about it at the center.”
After a pause, Gabriel asked, “What’s Barbi’s story?”
In the darkened vehicle, Sin glanced over. “It’s complicated.”
“Explain.”
Sin stayed silent for longer than Gabriel liked.
“How do you know her?” Sin asked as he drove over the bridge and into Virginia.
“It’s complicated.”
Sin chuckled. “You’ll see her later.”
“How’s that?”
“We’re going to a New Year’s Eve party. She’ll be there.”
“I wasn’t invited,” Gabriel said.
“Teddy and Sydney are hosting. Teddy invited Evangeline and me. Greystone and Caroline will be there, Carrera and Slash too. Luciano and Simone are stopping by. Sydney said she wants you there.”
“That’s gonna cause a war,” Gabriel said. “My brothers think I’m gone.”
“It’s New Year’s Eve.” Sin flashed a smile. “They haveonething on their minds.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Bringing in the New Year with a bang.”
“What’s the point of staying up ‘til midnight if there’s no payoff, right?”
“Does Barbi have a date?”
“If she did, would that stop you?” Sin asked.
In the dark vehicle, the men exchanged glances.
“No,” Gabriel replied.
