Waiting behind them, Gabriel shot Teddy a smile.
Teddy broke into a grin. “Fratello!”
The three stepped inside.
To Gabriel’s surprise, Teddy extended his hand. When he clasped it, Teddy pulled him in for a hug. Theodore was the brother always looking to mend family rifts. A true peacemaker.
“Happy New Year!” Teddy shut the front door, flipped the bolt. “The girls are on a house tour if anyone wants to check out the new digs.” Teddy pointed toward the nearby stairs.
“Love that.” Evangeline gave Sin a quick kiss before trotting upstairs.
“Who’s ready to rock New Year’s Eve?” Teddy shifted toward Gabriel and his mouth dropped open. “What the hell happened to you? You’re covered in blood.”
“We had a job,” Sin replied.
“I need to clean up,” Gabriel said.
“I got you,” Teddy said. “Lemme grab you something to wear. You can use the guest suite downstairs. Go say hi to Greystone. He’s in the kitchen.”
As Teddy jogged up the stairs, Gabriel and Sin headed through the house. Gabriel did not expect the same warm welcome from Greystone.
“That went well,” Sin said. “I thought you said they wouldn’t be happy to see you.”
“Teddy’s easygoing, Greystone not so much,” Gabriel murmured as they entered the spacious and newly-decorated kitchen.
Greystone stood alone near the center island, his attention glued to his phone. He glanced up, shot Sin a smile. “Happy New Year.” When he noticed Gabriel, surprise flashed in his eyes. “Here comes trouble.”
Greystone and Sin shook hands.
“Are you back already?” Greystone asked before awareness lit up his face. “Dammit, G, you never left… did you?”
“No,” Gabriel replied.
Here we go… brace for fuckin’ impact.
“G,” Greystone began. “Why in the hell?—”
Gabriel gripped his younger brother’s shoulder. “Take a breath. It’s New Year’s Eve. Sin and I had a thing we had to do?—”
As Sin poured himself a Santini Whisky, Greystone moved closer. “Jesus, you’re covered in blood spatter.” Then, he shifted back to Sin. “Should I even ask?”
“I wouldn’t,” Sin replied.
“We took out one of the Bratva that ambushed me,” Gabriel said. “He tried to kill me a few years?—”
“For fuck’s sake, Gabriel,” Greystone interjected. “Let it go.”
“I don’t want to get in the middle,” Sin said, “but?—”
“Then, don’t,” Greystone warned.
“Don’t shut me up,” Sin warned. “Ever.”
“Greystone, take it down,” Gabriel said.
Silence while the three men eyed each other like wild stallions.
Teddy bounded into the room, holding a black sweater and pair of dress pants. “What the hell is going on? Are you two fighting already? G, what is wrong with you?”
