2
GABRIEL SANTINI
SYDNEY
Sydney’s taut shoulder muscles relaxed when she pulled up to the wrought iron gates of Gabriel’s Milan villa. After she pressed the buzzer, the heavy doors swung open and she drove into his compound. Not normally fazed, she’d be the first to admit that little snafu in Bergamo had ruffled her feathers.
With her duffle bag in hand, she made her way to the front door. It swung wide and she was greeted by a familiar face.
“There she is,” Gabriel said, his picture-perfect smile brightening his handsome face.
She hugged him and the last remaining tension floated away on the dark cloud that had been hovering for the past hour.
He kissed one cheek, then the other. “Any loose ends?” He made his way toward his kitchen and she fell in line beside him.
“I wasn’t followed,” she said as she sank onto one of the leather counter stools at his expansive gourmet island.
“Are you sure?”
“I pulled over six times.”
“Yeah, I thought you’d do that.” He opened a covered dish. “Eggs?”
She shook her head. “I can’t eat after a hit.”
He poured her a small glass of orange juice from a pitcher, then sat beside her. “I’ll take you to the airport.”
“I’ve got a rental car.” She pulled off her blonde wig, then started removing the clips securing her long, dark hair.
“You can’t be seen in it,” Gabriel said as he sipped his espresso. “I’ll drive you to the airport.”
She breathed deep. “You win.”
He rubbed her back. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She kissed his cheek. “Grazie. I’m going to shower.” After pushing off the chair, she asked, “What time are we leaving?”
“As soon as you’re ready.”
With her bag in hand, she hurried upstairs and into the guest suite. While stripping off her clothes, her thoughts floated back to the hit.
Taking someone’s life took a lot out of her.
My soul.
Every elimination felt like a nail in her own coffin, a one-way ticket to hell where she’d spend eternity with the devil himself. Yes, it was a job, but it was a tough one. One that came with a burden that never left her.
She stood under the hot shower spray and let the water pummel her back. Ten minutes later, she was drying her hair. Then, she dressed in a black jumpsuit, pulled her hair into a tight twist. She skipped the makeup and returned to the kitchen to find Gabriel finishing up a video chat on his phone.
“Ti amo anch'io, fratello,” Gabriel said before ending the call.
I love you too brother.
Gabriel had three brothers, but she was only curious aboutone of them, his youngest brother Tank. She’d beensohot for him—still was—but he wasn’t interested. She thought he’d been… but nope, she’d been wrong.
Ignoring the sting of rejection, she squared her shoulders, stood tall. “Everything good with the Santinis?” she asked trying to keep things chill andnotblurt out, “Where’s Tank these days? What’s he been up to? Is he seeing anyone?”
Gabriel pushed off the counter stool, set his espresso mug in the sink. “I need to fly to DC. We’ll take my jet.”
