“Gabriel, let it go,” Luciano warned.
“Stop trying to control me,” Gabriel bit out. “Both of you. It didn’t work when we were kids. It sure as hell won’t work now.”
“Fuck you,” Greystone said.
“Fuck you back,” Gabriel replied.
“It’s a celebration, so take it outside if you can’t get along,” Teddy warned.
“Jesus, what is it with you two?” Sin asked. “You’re more explosive than the Fourth of July fireworks. Is it always like this?”
“It is when G’s in the mix,” Luciano said.
“He’s right,” Gabriel replied. “It’s about control.”
“We’re all fighting for it,” Luciano said.
“I’m not,” Teddy added. “I’m the one trying to calm everyone the hell down. Look, you’re inmyhouse. Sydney and I invited you. If you three can’t keep it together, go fight in the kitchen.”
The four of them glared at each other, then started laughing.
And just like that, the tension broke. The rift had ended. Dinner guests resumed their meals.
Riveted by the scene, Halston had never been in a room with so many alpha males. She broke eye contact, sliced into the tender beef. As she chewed, she returned her attention to Gabriel.
Staring at him was the only place she wanted to look. To her delight, he was waiting, the intensity in his eyes making her panties damp.
“G is the great Agitator,” Greystone said.
Her heart beat a little faster.
I like that about him.
“Someone’s gotta swim against the current,” Gabriel replied.
Teddy chuckled. “He’s the salmon?—”
“Black sheep,” Gabriel corrected him before eyeing Halston. “Ms. Devereux, what’s it gonna be?”
You and me, between the sheets, starting the New Year off right.
“YA rabotayu na rossiyskoye pravitel'stvo, no moya vernost' — ne im,” Halston answered in Russian.I work for the Russian government, but my loyalty is not to them.
10
THE TRUTH ABOUT HALSTON
GABRIEL
In that moment, everything became crystal clear.
She’s a double agent.
Being at war with the Bratva had forced Gabriel to learn a little Russian. That extra effort had finally paid off.
“Besides Halston, who speaks Russian?” Gabriel asked.
No one.
