“Muted might work,” he said. “Instead of fuchsia, I see dusty rose.” Have a courier send over a few—this one, the pale green, and the charcoal—to Carrera Santini’s. I’ll review them there. How many were delivered?”
“Twenty-five thousand,” she replied.
“That’s a small run. Put through another run with the corrected colors. I’ll let you know about the muted dresses after I see them.” Luciano hung up.
“Lemonade,” he said under his breath. The couture gowns weren’t a problem.
His cousin blabbing that he could supply some shadybusiness associatewith a million in boodle?
Thatwas a problem.
6
HELLO, AGAIN
SIMONE
Simone loved hanging with Slash. Years earlier, when they worked together at ALPHA, the two had become close friends. After Simone left, she’d let those relationships go.
She needed time to heal.
Over time, and with the help of a skilled therapist, Simone learned coping skills for her survivor guilt and PTSD. As she reemerged, she reached out to the ALPHA Ops she’d once been close with. Slash was at the top of that list and they picked right up where they’d left off.
Simone and Slash chatted on the porch while Carrera’s grandmother put the finishing touches on dinner. Simone glanced into the kitchen. “We should be helping.”
“Carrera’s got Elsa,” Slash said before topping off Simone’s wine glass. “Plus, it gives us time to catch up.”
“I like this chianti,” Simone said.
“It’s Santini Chianti,” Slash said. “Carrera’s cousin, Luciano, sends it over by the case.”
Just hearing his name sent a thrill thrumming through her.
“A perk of being a Santini.” Simone sipped the wine.
After a beat, Slash said, “Red, I need to talk shop with you.”
The French door opened and Carrera’s grandmother walked into the room. “Room for one more?”
Slash patted the sofa cushion next to her. “I’m glad you’re taking a break.” She glanced inside. “Did you leave Carrera in charge?”
“Of course not,” Elsa replied, and she and Slash laughed.
Slash poured Elsa a glass before turning her attention back to Red. “Come with me to rescue training.”
Simone glanced over at Elsa.
“I went with Amanda May,” Elsa said. “Watching the team work was an absolute thrill.”
“Elsa knows about the rescue team?” Simone asked.
“I don’t know anything,” Elsa said with a sly smile.
“She came with me once,” Slash explained. “I didn’t want to leave her alone. It’s a long story, but someone tried to burn her house down?—”
Carrera walked onto the porch.
Elsa put her arm around Slash. “Amanda May rescued me. Carrera too.”
